Understanding the Revisit Survey
Understanding the CMS Survey Process · 7 min
Purpose and Timing
The revisit survey is CMS's method of verifying that a facility has actually implemented the corrective actions described in its Plan of Correction. It typically occurs 45-60 days after the original survey, though the timing can vary based on the severity of findings and the State Survey Agency's schedule.
During the revisit, surveyors focus exclusively on the previously cited deficiencies. They're looking for evidence that:
- Corrective actions for affected residents were completed
- Other potentially affected residents were identified and assessed
- Systemic changes are in place and functioning
- Monitoring is occurring as described in the POC
- The facility has met its stated completion dates
Preparing Your Evidence
The single most important thing you can do to prepare for the revisit is to organize your evidence. For each citation, you should have:
A POC Evidence Binder organized by F-Tag number containing:
- Copy of the original citation from the CMS-2567
- Your POC response for that citation
- Documentation of completed corrective actions (assessment records, care plan updates, physician orders)
- Training documentation (sign-in sheets, content covered, competency verification)
- Revised policies and procedures with effective dates
- Monitoring audit results with dates and findings
- QAPI meeting minutes showing discussion of the citations
- Any additional evidence of sustained compliance
Organize this binder before the revisit. When a surveyor asks 'Show me evidence of the training you described in your POC for F0880,' you should be able to produce it immediately. Searching for documentation while the surveyor waits creates a poor impression.
What If Deficiencies Persist?
If the revisit survey finds that deficiencies persist — meaning your corrective actions haven't been effective — several things happen:
The deficiency remains cited, and the clock continues. If substantial compliance isn't achieved within 3 months of the original survey, CMS imposes a Denial of Payment for New Admissions (DPNA) automatically.
Additional enforcement actions may be applied, including higher Civil Money Penalties, state monitoring, or directed in-service training.
The facility may receive an opportunity to submit a revised POC, but the enforcement timeline doesn't reset.
If substantial compliance isn't achieved within 6 months of the original survey, CMS must impose either termination from Medicare/Medicaid or alternative remedies.
The best way to avoid persistent deficiency findings is to actually implement your POC — not just write it. Begin corrective actions immediately, maintain monitoring throughout, and conduct an internal pre-revisit assessment before the surveyor arrives.