CMS extends hospital’s recertification to October

The Commonwealth Health Center remains in tenterhooks after the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services once again put off to October 2015 its decision on the hospital’s Condition of Participation, or CoP, with Medicare.

Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Esther Muña disclosed this yesterday when sought for updates on CMS’ planned visit to the hospital.

Muña said that they have been waiting for the CMS visit prior to April 3 for a validation survey. She said CMS has not visited the hospital yet but she received an email early yesterday morning from CMS survey and certification manager Rufus Arther.

Arther’s email to Muna noted that in a letter dated Dec. 4, 2014, CMS notified her that based on the findings of a Sept. 12, 2014, Medicare follow-up survey which identified non-compliance with seven hospital CoPs, CMS was continuing an enforcement process that could result in the termination of CHC’s Medicare hospital provider agreement by April 3, 2015.

“CMS accepted a plan of correction as a credible allegation of compliance in December 2014. Due to the extent of the deficiencies, the complexity of making fundamental, systemic changes, and in recognition as well of the importance of maintaining access to hospital services for CNMI’s residents, CMS has decided to allow CHC additional time to demonstrate the capacity and commitment to achieve and sustain compliance with all Medicare hospital CoPs,” Arther said.

“Accordingly, we are hereby further extending the prospective date for termination of the hospital’s Medicare provider agreement to Oct. 30, 2015,” he added.

CMS had notified Muña during her trip to San Francisco, California in early March that the hospital’s plan of corrections has already been approved.

CMS at first did not accept the corrective action plans due to the operating rooms’ temperature control issue.

Considering that April was the deadline they gave CHCC, the corrective action plan could not be approved since the heat, ventilation, and air conditioning system was to be completed this June, so CHCC invested in additional air conditioners and humidifiers to maintain the humidity level in the OR while waiting for the HVAC’s completion date.

Muña said that a brief governing body meeting was held after receiving the notice from CMS to announce the extension date. The hospital governing body also reminded hospital administrator Jesse Tudela and key personnel to stay the course and show real progress on compliance.

Muña also reminded key personnel that the CMS extension should be viewed by all hospital personnel as a tremendous trust on the part of CMS.

“It is our responsibility to maintain that trust by ensuring compliance. I asked that they pass the message to all hospital personnel,” she said.