CMS Extends ‘Extraordinary Circumstances’ Exemption for Hospice Direct Hiring of Nurses

In a recent letter to state Survey Agency directors, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an extension until Sept. 30, 2012 of its policy allowing an exemption from the requirement to provide nursing services directly by hospice employees. The exemption, which had been scheduled to expire at the end of September, will…