CMS Issues FAQs on Intermediate Care Facilities for People with Intellectual Disabilities

As announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):

“The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continually strives to provide timely and actionable guidance to State Survey Agencies and non long-term care providers and suppliers as the health care system confronts the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). CMS has released several resources and guidelines and established numerous flexibilities to help prevent and control the transmission of COVID-19. Since the issuance of these materials, we have received requests to provide clarifying information. The purpose of this FAQs document is to clarify existing guidance and flexibilities and provide stakeholders with additional information based on questions received regarding the following entities:

• Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)
•  Hospitals & Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs)
• Hospice
• Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs/IID)
• Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)/Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

It is incumbent upon providers and suppliers to comply with Medicare and Medicaid’s essential health and safety standards to keep Americans safe. It is also the responsibility of each entity to work with individual patients and residents, along with their families, caregivers, health care providers, and suppliers to support decisions that are best for each patient or resident.”