Nursing Home Visitation - COVID-19

EXPIRED. EFFECTIVE 03/20/2021, THIS MEMO WAS REPLACED BY QSO-20-39-NH REVISED, SEE THE REVISED MEMO FOR CURRENT VISITATION GUIDANCE DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY. • CMS is committed to continuing to take critical steps to ensure America’s healthcare facilities are prepared to respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (PHE). • Visitation Guidance: CMS is issuing new guidance for visitation in nursing homes during the COVID-19 PHE. The guidance below provides reasonable ways a nursing home can safely facilitate in-person visitation to address the psychosocial needs of residents. • Use of Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Funds: CMS will now approve the use of CMP funds to purchase tents for outdoor visitation and/or clear dividers (e.g., Plexiglas or similar products) to create physical barriers to reduce the risk of transmission during in-person visits.