- (a) Basic rule. All standard surveys must be unannounced.
(b) Review of survey agency's scheduling and surveying procedures.
- (1) CMS reviews on an annual basis each State survey agency's scheduling and surveying procedures and practices to ensure that survey agencies avoid giving notice of a survey through the scheduling procedures and the conduct of the surveys.
- (2) CMS takes corrective action in accordance with the nature and complexity of the problem when survey agencies are found to have notified a SNF or NF through their scheduling or procedural policies. Sanctions for inadequate survey performance are in accordance with § 488.320.
- (c) Civil money penalties. An individual who notifies a SNF or NF, or causes a SNF or NF to be notified, of the time or date on which a standard survey is scheduled to be conducted is subject to a Federal civil money penalty not to exceed $2,000 as adjusted annually under 45 CFR part 102.
[59 FR 56238, Nov. 10, 1994, as amended at 81 FR 61563, Sept. 6, 2016]