The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revised guidance issued in June 2020 transitioning states to routine oversight and survey activities at long-term care facilities after limits had been imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The revision expands onsite surveys, allowing states to resume onsite revisits, certain complaint investigations and some annual recertification surveys. The guidance also encourages non-long-term care facilities to resume normal survey activities and begin addressing backlogs of previously postponed surveys. CMS also provided a prioritized list of backlogged surveys to be addressed. (CMS memorandum, 8/17/20)
