CMS Sprinkler Requirement Now In Effect

CMS's automatic sprinkler requirement for nursing homes is now in effect. As of August 13, all nursing homes must be fully sprinklered in order to participate in Medicare or Medicaid.

The sprinkler requirement was first announced in 2008. Facilities were given a five-year window to become compliant.

CMS notes that it does not have authority to allow extensions for this deadline. While the agency issued a proposed rule on February 7 that would grant a limited extension of the due date for some facilities, that rule has not been finalized.

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