
On April 7, 2022, CMS issued a memorandum that ended specific waivers for skilled nursing facilities/nursing facilities (SNFs/NFs), inpatient hospices, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IIDs) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities. CMS will end the specific waivers in two groups, the first 60 days from the issuance of the memorandum and the second 30 days from the issuance of the memorandum.
CMS notes that they targeted these specific waivers as they continue to review the need for existing emergency blanket waivers issued in response to COVID-19. They believe that these facilities have developed policies or other practices that mitigate the need for the specific waivers. Also noted, they targeted waivers that should be restored to address the risks to resident health and safety that are not related to infection control. Applicable waivers will remain in effect for hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs).
Blanket Waivers Ending 30 days from publication of Memorandum:
- Resident Groups - 42 CFR §483.10(f)(5)
- Physician Delegation of Tasks in SNFs - 42 CFR §483.30(e)(4)
- Physician Visits - 42 CFR §483.30(c)(3)
- Physician Visits in Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Facilities - 42 CFR §483.30
- Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) – 42 CFR §483.75(b)–(d) and (e)(3)
- Detailed Information Sharing for Discharge Planning for Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities - 42 CFR §483.21(c)(1)(viii)
- Clinical Records - 42 CFR §483.10(g)(2)(ii)
Blanket Waivers Ending 60 days from publication of Memorandum:
- Physical Environment for SNF/NFs - 42 CFR §483.90
- Equipment Maintenance & Fire Safety Inspections for ESRD facilities - 42 CFR §494.60(b) and(d)
- Facility and Medical Equipment Inspection, Testing & Maintenance (ITM) for Inpatient Hospice, ICF/IIDs and SNFs/NFs – 42 CFR §§418.110(c)(2)(iv), 483.470(j), and 483.90
- Life Safety Code (LSC) and Health Care Facilities Code (HCFC) ITM for Inpatient Hospice, ICF/IIDs and SNFs/NFs - 42 CFR §§ 418.110(d)(1)(i) and (e), 483.470(j)(1)(i) and (5)(v), and 483.90(a)(1)(i) and (b)
- Outside Windows and Doors for Inpatient Hospice, ICF/IIDs and SFNs/NFs – 42 CFR §§418.110(d)(6), 483.470(e)(1)(i), and 483.90(a)(7)
- Life Safety Code for Inpatient Hospice, ICF/IIDs, and SNFs/NFs - 42 CFR §§418.110(d), 483.470(j), and 483.90(a)
- Paid Feeding Assistants for LTC facilities: 42 CFR §§483.60(h)(1)(i) and 483.160(a)
- In-Service Training for LTC facilities – 42 CFR §483.95(g)(1)
- Training and Certification of Nurse Aides for SNF/NFs - 42 CFR §483.35(d) (Modification and Conditional Termination)
If you have any questions, please contact us or learn more about our healthcare accounting and consulting services.
More information
Specific waivers that will be ending:
Current emergency blanket waivers in effect due to the COVID-10 pandemic:

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Julianne Kipple
Julianne Kipple, Healthcare Shareholder, began her career in 2008. Over the years, she has built a strong expertise in healthcare accounting and consulting while driving the expansion of Lutz’s services for rural and critical access hospitals. She is actively involved in the healthcare department’s operations, focusing on strategic growth and team development.
Leveraging her experience in healthcare finance, Julianne focuses on providing outsourced CFO services to healthcare facilities. She provides Medicare and Medicaid cost reporting, software conversion assistance, and comprehensive financial management solutions. Julianne values ensuring the sustainability of rural healthcare facilities, understanding their vital role in their communities.
At Lutz, Julianne demonstrates what it means to serve beyond expectations by helping healthcare organizations facing complex challenges. Her genuine care for rural healthcare facilities shows in everything she does - from anticipating their needs to finding creative solutions that ensure their success. Through her thoughtful mentorship of her team, she's helped establish Lutz as a trusted partner in the healthcare sector.
Julianne lives in Bennington, NE, with her husband and four children. Outside the office, she can be found attending her kids' sporting events, running, and cooking on the weekends.
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