CMS Guidance and Clarification for Critical Access Hospitals about Annual Average 96-hour Patient Length of Stay Calculations to Account for the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE)

Published: 06/12/2023

Sources:
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Relevant To:
  • Critical Access Hospitals

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a memorandum to provide guidance and clarification about the requirement that Medicare-certified critical access hospitals (CAHs) are required to meet an annual average 96-hour patient length of stay standard for acute inpatient care (42 CFR §485.620(b)).

During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), this requirement for CAHs was waived under section 1135 of the Social Security Act. This blanket waiver was in effect from Marc

Sign Up for Free Trial