Hurricane Helene State Waiver Expiration

On March 21, 2025, NC DHSR released two memos regarding the expiration of certain waivers granted in response to Hurricane Helene.   

These waivers include: 

• Temporarily increase its licensed bed capacity, use nursing home beds for adult care home residents or adult care beds for nursing home residents, or temporarily relocate existing licensed beds into physical space that meets federal safety requirements 
• Provide relief to Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) on the timeframes in which they must conduct a comprehensive assessment and collect MDS data 
• Physicians and non-physician practitioners to perform in-person visits for nursing home residents and allow visits to be conducted, as appropriate, via telehealth options. 

These waivers expired effective March 23, 2025. More details on these items and others can be found in the two previously mentioned memos available here and here.  

The CMS issued waivers on the required three-day stay and covering additional SNF care without requiring a break in the spell of illness remain in effect. Click here for additional information on the CMS waivers for North Carolina.