42 CFR § 488.810 - General provisions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s488.810"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 488.810 - General provisions."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "488.810"
section_name: "General provisions."
chapter_name: "CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "G"
subchapter_name: "STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION"
part_number: "488"
part_name: "SURVEY, CERTIFICATION, AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C 1302 and 1395hh."
regulatory_source: "53 FR 22859, June 17, 1988, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "488"
---


# 488.810 General provisions.

(a) *Purpose of sanctions.* The purpose of sanctions is to ensure prompt compliance with program requirements in order to protect the health and safety of individuals under the care of an HHA.

(b) *Basis for imposition of sanctions.* When CMS chooses to apply one or more sanctions specified in § 488.820, the sanctions are applied on the basis of noncompliance with one or more conditions of participation found through a survey and may be based on failure to correct previous deficiency findings as evidenced by repeat deficiencies.

(c) *Number of sanctions.* CMS may apply one or more sanctions for each deficiency constituting noncompliance or for all deficiencies constituting noncompliance.

(d) *Extent of sanctions imposed.* When CMS imposes a sanction, the sanction applies to the parent HHA and its respective branch offices.

(e) *Plan of correction requirement.* Regardless of which sanction is applied, a non-compliant HHA must submit a plan of correction for approval by CMS.

(f) *Notification requirements*—(1) *Notice.* CMS provides written notification to the HHA of the intent to impose the sanction.

(2) *Date of enforcement action.* The notice periods specified in § 488.825(b) and § 488.830(b) begin the day after the HHA receives the notice.

(g) *Appeals.* (1) The provisions of part 498 of this chapter apply when the HHA requests a hearing on a determination of noncompliance leading to the imposition of a sanction, including termination of the provider agreement.

(2) A pending hearing does not delay the effective date of a sanction, including termination, against an HHA. Sanctions continue to be in effect regardless of the timing of any appeals proceedings.