CMS SOM App. H, Tag V516

(1) An initial comprehensive assessment must be conducted on all new patients (that is, all

admissions to a dialysis facility), within the latter of 30 calendar days or 13 outpatient

hemodialysis sessions beginning with the first outpatient dialysis session.

Interpretive Guidance §494.80(b)(1)

Each new dialysis patient must undergo a comprehensive assessment within 30 days or 13

treatments following admission. This requirement applies to all new dialysis patients, regardless

of the treatment modality. Patients returning to dialysis from a failed transplant or changing

modalities are also considered “new” patients. If the comprehensive patient assessment and

plan of care for an experienced dialysis patient transferring from one dialysis facility to another

is received with the patient in transfer, the receiving facility’s IDT must conduct a reassessment

within three months of the patient’s admission to the new facility. This same provision (i.e.,

completion of a reassessment within 3 months of admission) would also apply to transient

patients received with an assessment and plan of care. Refer to V408 for disaster situations and

requirements.

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Prior to the first dialysis treatment, an “initial assessment” must be completed.

Recognize that the transfer of a large number of patients at once (e.g., with the opening of a new

facility, or in the event of an adverse occurrence or disaster impacting the functionality of the

transferring facility) may affect the staff’s ability to complete this requirement within the

mandated timeline. If this is the case, the facility should develop a plan to ensure the prompt

completion of assessments for transferred patients and a method to triage patients’ needs for

assessment.