CMS is exercising regulatory flexibilities for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) to waive the 60 percent rule.
We are also waiving IRF coverage and classification requirements if all of these criteria are satisfied:
- Patient is admitted to a freestanding IRF to alleviate acute care hospital bed capacity issues
- IRF is located in an area that is in Phase 1 or has not entered Phase 1; see Guidelines for Opening Up America Again
Add the following letters at the end of your unique hospital patient identification number (the number that identifies the patient’s medical record in the IRF) to identify patients eligible for each waiver:
- D- 60 percent rule
- DS- Coverage and classification requirements
- DDS- Both 60 percent rule and coverage and classification requirements
For More Information:
- COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers: See page 10 for 60 percent rule
- Interim Final Rule: Coverage and classification requirements