CMS Extends Timeline for ESRD Facility Final Rule

On February 4, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Notice in the Federal Register extending the timeline for publishing the "Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Conditions of Coverage for End Stage Renal Disease Facilities" final rule.   

On February 4, 2005, CMS published a Proposed Rule in the Federal Register that would establish new certification requirements for Medicare coverage of dialysis facilities. According to CMS, the proposed revisions would reflect advances in dialysis technology and standard care practices that have been developed since the requirements were last revised in 1976. 

In October 2007, CMS reported that a final rule had been drafted, was in the approval process, and would be published by February 4, 2008.  However, CMS now reports that an extension of the publication timeline is necessary and appropriate to ensure that it is able to address all comments and issues raised in response to the Proposed Rule.  According to the Notice, CMS has extended the timeline for the publication of the final rule until February 4, 2009.