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October 27, 2026

IRF Initial IDT Meeting Requirement: Enforcement Discretion

Starting October 1, 2026, when a patient is admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF), an initial interdisciplinary team (IDT) meeting must occur on or before Day 4 (patient's admission date counts as Day 1) to:

  • Implement appropriate treatment services
  • Establish or review the patient's stated rehabilitation goals
  • Identify any problems that could impede goals

In response to stakeholder feedback, CMS is exercising enforcement discretionExternal Website from October 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027. For IRF admissions during this period, Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) won't deny or non-affirm a claim based solely on the timing of the initial IDT meeting if an IDT meeting occurs at least once per week throughout the duration of the patient's stay. IRFs must meet all other coverage and documentation requirements.

IRFs should use this enforcement discretion period to implement processes to comply with the 4-day requirement.

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