In a November 1 press release, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new baseline health and safety requirements for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) providing obstetrical (OB) services to make pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care safer. Simultaneously, CMS is removing barriers to expand access to care for those formerly incarcerated and others in underserved communities.
The policies set baseline standards for the organization, staffing, and delivery of care within obstetrical units, update the quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) program, and require staff training on evidence-based maternal health practices.
“CMS is committed to addressing our nation’s maternity care crisis. Today, we are establishing the first-ever maternal health and safety standards for hospitals,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure in a statement. “Additionally, the CY 2025 hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System final rule expands access to behavioral health services, increases access to certain high-cost drugs for those facing cancer in tribal communities, and addresses barriers to Medicare coverage for those formerly incarcerated.”
“CMS has established emergency services readiness and transfer protocol requirements for all patients, which will better prepare hospitals and CAHs to respond to obstetric emergencies. Of note, CMS is finalizing a phased-in implementation for all of these new requirements in an effort to balance the need for improved maternal health outcomes while addressing potential burden concerns raised in public comments,” Dr. Dora Hughes, CMO and director for CMS’ Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, said in a statement.
According to the news brief, CMS is also removing barriers to ensure that people with Medicare who are on bail, parole, probation, home detention, or required to live in halfway houses can access Medicare services. CMS is expanding the eligibility criteria for a special enrollment period for formerly incarcerated individuals to include individuals who have been released from incarceration or who are on bail, parole, probation, home detention, or live in halfway houses.
The policies are included in the calendar year (CY) 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) final rule.
