The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new memo on June 6 clarifying expectations related to Plans of Correction and revisits. CMS reminds state survey agencies that Plans of Correction “are an element of the compliance review” but are ultimately no more than an allegation of compliance and signal the provider’s readiness for revisit. With an increase in complaint surveys in recent years, CMS notes an increase in resource burden on both providers and CMS / state agencies based, in part, on the review and disapproval of multiple Plans of Correction.

CMS clarifies that if the state is unable to approve a Plan of Correction after two submissions, they should reach out to the provider to confirm readiness and intention to request a revisit. If the CMS location or the state agency believes a revisit should not be performed, the CMS location or state agency must notify CMS Survey and Operations Group.

Revisits are required when a survey finds substandard quality of care, harm, or immediate jeopardy. Members may find these LeadingAge resources helpful in writing and implementing effective Plans of Correction.