CMS rescinds policy disallowing secure units for justice-involved individuals

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Survey & Certification Group recently rescinded a policy disallowing hospital security units, which provide private beds for justice-involved individuals such as inmates and those in the custody of law enforcement or the state Department of Corrections. The AHA had urged the agency to rescind the policy, noting that security units enable hospitals to provide a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff while ensuring that individuals such as prisoners and jail inmates have access to needed inpatient health care services. “AHA lauds CMS for its responsiveness and will urge the agency to follow through by updating its Medicaid guidance on the issue to reflect the revised S&C policy,” said Nancy Foster, AHA vice president of quality and patient safety policy.