State Operations Manual (Pub. 100-07), Ch. 7 § 7205.3
Determining Standard Survey Interval for Each Facility
7205.3 - Determining Standard Survey Interval for Each Facility
(Rev. 213; Issued: 02-10-23; Effective: 02-10-23; Implementation: 02-10-23)
The standard survey interval for each facility (which may not exceed 15 months) is
calculated as follows:
• The number of days between the completion of the current and last standard
survey is divided by 31 to determine the number of months between standard
surveys for each provider;
• The last day of the entire health and life safety code survey is the date used to
calculate the interval.
• If an extended survey is conducted as a result of the health portion of a standard
survey, the last day of the health portion of the standard survey is used to
calculate the survey frequency requirements, if the health portion occurs after the
life safety code portion. The date of the extended survey is not used in
calculating the survey interval or state-wide average requirements;
• Abbreviated standard surveys are not counted in the calculation. An abbreviated
standard survey is a survey other than a standard survey to gather information on
facility compliance with the requirements for participation primarily through
resident-centered techniques. An abbreviated standard survey may be premised
on complaints received; a change of ownership, management, or Director of
Nursing; or other indicators of specific concern. (See 42 CFR 488.301.);
• When an abbreviated standard survey is changed to a standard survey, the
standard survey is counted in the calculation of the standard survey interval using
the last date of the entire health and life safety code survey as the survey date; and
• Revisits are not counted in the calculation of the standard survey interval.
The Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting system (CASPER) is used to
identify facilities that have not received a standard survey within 15 months.
Survey information for the fiscal year must be entered by November 15 of each year in
order for CMS Headquarters to calculate the state-wide average.