Key Components for Continued COVID-19 Management for Dialysis Facilities

•The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is dedicated to ensuring the continued health and safety of patients receiving care within Medicare participating dialysis facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 refers to the novel coronavirus causing the coronavirus disease 2019. •CMS Updates: This memorandum updates and clarifies CMS guidance related to dialysis facility patients residing in Long Term Care (LTC) facilities; home dialysis services and essential procedures for dialysis patients is also included in this memo. •Dialysis Guidance and Actions - To assist in preventing the transmission of COVID-19 within the dialysis population, CMS is reinforcing infection control guidance based upon the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for dialysis facilities which include screening for COVID-19, patient patient placement, personal protective equipment, isolation, cleaning and disinfection.