Waivers
Definition: Formal exceptions to specific regulatory requirements that CMS or the state may grant under defined circumstances, such as during a declared emergency or when compliance would result in hardship without compromising resident safety.
In Practice
During the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS issued blanket waivers for numerous requirements. Most pandemic-era waivers have expired. Facilities may still request individual waivers for specific requirements, but approval is rare and requires demonstration that the waiver will not compromise resident health or safety.