TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Initial Agency Notice

Title of Regulation: 18VAC112-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy.

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Name of Petitioner: Sharan Zirges, PT.

Nature of Petitioner's Request: Sentara would like to ask the board to amend the rule (18VAC112-20-131) regarding who can provide educational experiences to include health care organizations accredited by any Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved accrediting body empowered to deem CMS accredited provider status.

All Sentara hospital facilities are now accredited by DNV. DNV Healthcare is the leading accreditor of U.S. hospitals integrating ISO 9001 quality compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation per their website. In addition, DNV accreditation requires an annual survey and the organization's continual compliance with the DNV accreditation process. Sentara Home Care services are accredited by CHAP – Community Health Accreditation Program, which is an independent, not-for-profit, accrediting body for community-based health care organizations. CHAP through "deeming authority" granted by the CMS has the regulatory authority to survey agencies providing home health, hospice, and home medical equipment services to determine if they meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation and CMS Quality Standards.

Agency Plan for Disposition of Request: In accordance with Virginia law, the petition has been filed with the Register of Regulations and will be published on December 3, 2012. Comment on the petition may be sent by email, regular mail, or posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov; comment will be accepted until December 28, 2012. Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend regulations, the board will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language. This matter will be on the board's agenda for its meeting scheduled for February 15, 2013.

Public Comment Deadline: December 28, 2012.

Agency Contact: Elaine J. Yeatts, Agency Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Health Professions, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4688, FAX (804) 527-4434, or email elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov.

VA.R. Doc. No. R13-10; Filed .November 5, 2012, 8:42 a.m.