AHA urges CMS to withdraw data-collection penalties

The American Hospital Association (AHA) delivered comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), urging the agency to immediately withdraw a new condition of participation because it threatens to expel hospitals from the Medicare program if they fail to comply with “frequently changing and confusing” COVID-19 data collection efforts. AHA called the condition, contained in CMS’ Aug. 25 Interim Final Rule updating reporting requirements for COVID-19 test results, “a direct rebuke of the clear willingness displayed by America’s hospitals and health systems to provide all relevant data to the federal government.” The AHA also opposed the imposition of monetary penalties on laboratories that fail to comply with COVID-19 reporting requirements and commented on provisions in the interim final rule related to quality measurement, nursing homes and limits on COVID-19 testing. (AHA News article, 11/2/20)