Method and apparatus for managing data in a memory, such as a flash memory. In accordance with some embodiments, a memory module has a non-volatile memory (NVM) and a memory module electronics (MME) circuit. A controller circuit communicates a first command to the MME circuit to perform a selected action upon a selected address of the NVM. After a variable delay time interval, a second command is communicated by the controller circuit to the MME circuit as a status request regarding the first command. The variable delay time interval is determined based on an accumulated count of status requests that were issued, prior to the first command, for the selected address.