(a) Waiver of a hearing. The facility may waive the right to a hearing, in writing, within 60 days from the date of the notice imposing the civil money penalty.

(b) Reduction of penalty amount.

(1) If the facility waives its right to a hearing in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (a) of this section, CMS or the State reduces the civil money penalty by 35 percent, as long as the civil money penalty has not also been reduced by 50 percent under §488.438.

(2) If the facility does not waive its right to a hearing in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (a) of this section, the civil money penalty is not reduced by 35 percent.

[59 FR 56243, Nov. 10, 1994; 62 FR 44221, Aug. 20, 1997; 76 FR 15127, Mar. 18, 2011]