The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a final rule setting forth the requirements that transplant centers must meet to participate in the Medicare program. The final rule, which consolidates all transplant center requirements in one regulation, outlines comprehensive conditions of Medicare participation for transplant programs that include clinical experience, resources, and commitment of the transplant program. It also tightens oversight of transplant centers by improving coordination between CMS, state survey agencies, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.
All transplant centers that continue to participate in Medicare, including kidney transplant centers, are required to submit a request for initial approval. Once approved by Medicare, transplant centers are eligible for re-approval every three years. Transplant centers with current Medicare approval that have applied for initial approval within 180 days from the effective date of the final rule may continue to provide transplant services and receive payment from Medicare until CMS makes a decision on the transplant center’s request for approval. Read the news release.
