Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP
Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare
CMS added a new waiver to the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers on November 26, 2021. You’ll find this additional waiver at the bottom of page 21/top of page 22:
• Director of Food and Nutrition Services (New as of 11/26/21). CMS is issuing an 1135 waiver for 42 CFR 483.60(a)(1) and 483.60(a)(2) that requires dietitians hired or contracted with prior to November 28, 2016, to meet the specified requirements no later than 5 years after November 28, 2016 or as required by state law and to designate a person to serve as the director of food and nutrition services who, for designations prior to November 28, 2016, meets the specified requirements no later than 5 years after November 28, 2016, or no later than 1 year after November 28, 2016 for designations after November 28, 2016. The specified requirements involve specialized education or training in food service management and safety resulting in an associate’s or higher degree in hospitality or food service management, a bachelor’s or higher degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, a certified dietary manager, or a certified food service manager. These educational and training requirements range in length, at a minimum, of 18 months to four years. It has been unusually challenging for these requirements to be met due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Therefore, CMS is waiving this requirement due to the inability for individuals to enroll in, attend, or complete a certification program due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 PHE.
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