---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 C.F.R. § 488.725"
title: "42"
number: "488.725"
heading: "Unannounced surveys."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/42/488.725"
---

# §488.725. Unannounced surveys.

- (a) **Basic rule.** All HHA surveys must be unannounced and conducted with procedures and scheduling that renders the onsite surveys as unpredictable in their timing as possible.
- (b) **State survey agency's scheduling and surveying procedures.** CMS reviews each survey agency's scheduling and surveying procedures and practices to assure that the survey agency has taken all reasonable steps to avoid giving notice of a survey through the scheduling procedures and conduct of the surveys.
- (c) **Civil money penalties.** Any individual who notifies an HHA, or causes an HHA to be notified, of the time or date on which a standard survey is scheduled to be conducted is subject to a Federal civil money penalty not to exceed $2,000 as adjusted annually under [45 CFR part 102](/cfr/45/part102.md).

## Notes

### Amendments

[77 FR 67164, Nov. 8, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 61563, Sept. 6, 2016]

### Source

Source: 77 FR 67164, Nov. 8, 2012, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C 1302 and 1395hh.

### Source

Source: 53 FR 22859, June 17, 1988, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[77 FR 67164, Nov. 8, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 61563, Sept. 6, 2016]