The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host a Nov. 10 conference call on Section 1135 waivers, which hospitals can request to help meet patient needs during the H1N1 flu pandemic. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has temporarily waived or modified certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program requirements during the pandemic. Hospitals can petition their CMS regional office or state survey agency for any of the waivers. Experts will be available to answer questions during the call. In addition, questions may be e-mailed to CMS in advance at Pandemic@cms.hhs.gov. For more information, see the CMS announcement.
