All hospital transplant programs, approved for Medicare participation as of June 28, 2007 (approved either under end-stage renal disease [ESRD] conditions of coverage or national coverage decisions), must submit a request for new approval under the conditions of participation established by new regulations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by Dec. 26, 2007.
On March 30, 2007, the Department of Health and Human Services issued regulations authorizing the survey and certification of transplant programs. Prior to this new regulation, organ transplant programs were approved for Medicare participation either through ESRD conditions of coverage (renal programs) or national coverage decisions (nonrenal). The new regulation established conditions of participation for all covered organ transplant programs.
CMS will not launch the approval process until the program has entered a formal request for approval under new the Conditions of Participation and the necessary information concerning the program(s) has been received. If a program does not submit a request for approval under the new conditions of participation by Dec. 28, 2007, CMS will conclude that the program no longer desires Medicare participation and will begin the process to withdraw Medicare approval.
Direct any questions to Sherry Clark in the Survey and Certification Group at CMS at (410) 786-8476.
