CMS Announces Updated ASC Staffing Requirements to Deliver Patient Care During PHE

On November 25, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced updated staffing requirements designed to allow ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) to provide inpatient care when needed. CMS previously announced regulatory flexibility that allowed ASCs to be temporarily certified as a hospital and provide inpatient care for longer periods than normally allowed, with appropriate staffing. This new announcement clarifies that all ASCs may flex to provide inpatient care and need only provide 24-hour nursing services when patients are receiving care onsite. Additional information is available here.