SUBJECT: State Operations Manual (SOM) Chapter 2, The Certification Process

I. SUMMARY OF CHANGES: The SOM Chapter 2 sections that provide instructions on voluntary termination work is revised. The revisions are part of an effort to streamline the enrollment process for certified providers/suppliers. Certain certification functions performed by the CMS regional locations are transitioning to CMS’ Center for Program Integrity (CPI) Provider Enrollment Oversight Group (PEOG) and the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs). The voluntary termination work is the first phase of the certification work to transition. The MAC will process and finalize voluntary termination actions and will coordinate with the State Survey Agency directly as needed. The approval recommendation made to the CMS regional locations by the MAC has been removed. The MAC will notify the provider or supplier of approval of voluntary termination and send copies of the letter to the State Survey Agency, CMS regional locations and Accrediting Organizations. Additionally, Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) sections 2252A through 2252F are being deleted since they were mistakenly omitted from Transmittal 197.

SUBJECT: State Operations Manual (SOM) Chapter 3, Additional Program Activities

I. SUMMARY OF CHANGES: The SOM Chapter 3 sections that provide instructions on voluntary termination work is revised. The revisions are part of an effort to streamline the enrollment process for certified providers/suppliers. Certain certification functions performed by the CMS regional locations are transitioning to CMS’ Center for Program Integrity (CPI) Provider Enrollment Oversight Group (PEOG) and the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs). The voluntary termination work is the first phase of the certification work to transition. The MAC will process and finalize voluntary termination actions and will coordinate with the State Survey Agency directly as needed. The approval recommendation made to the CMS regional locations by the MAC has been removed. The MAC will notify the provider or supplier of approval of voluntary termination and send copies of the letter to the State Survey Agency, CMS regional locations and Accrediting Organizations.

CMS Guidance to State Survey Agencies on Verifying Correction of Deficiencies Needs To Be Improved To Help Ensure the Health and Safety of Nursing Home Residents (A-09-18-02000)

State survey agencies (State agencies) must verify that nursing homes corrected identified deficiencies, such as the failure to provide necessary care and services, before certifying whether the nursing homes are in substantial compliance with Federal participation requirements for Medicare and Medicaid.