Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Guidance, Resources & Action

CMS and CDC COVID-19 Guidance, Resources & Action

On May 8, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updated nursing home guidance. The guidance notes that while the Public Health Emergency (PHE) is ending on May 11, 2023, CMS still expects all nursing homes to adhere to infection control procedures. Read Consumer Voice’s summary.

Core Principles of Infection Prevention

On May 1, 2023, the Biden Administration announced it would be ending the federal requirement that nursing home workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 on May 11, 2023, the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance addressing how the end of the PHE would affect certain regulatory waivers that had been issued to nursing homes at the beginning of the PHE. Read Consumer Voice’s summary.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issued and revised guidance and resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. See these documents and Consumer Voice’s summaries from 2020-2022.

New Guidance from CDC to Reduce Spread of COVID-19 in Assisted Living Facilities
CMS rescinded emergency waivers, including of training and certification requirements for nurse aides (QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC) on April 7, 2022. Read Consumer Voice’s summary.
CMS updated its Nursing Home Visitation Guidance (QSO-39-NH Revised) on uses of face coverings during visitation and quarantine and guidance on testing (QSO-20-38-NH Revised) on March 10, 2022.
CDC updated its Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel and provided updated definitions for “fully vaccinated” and being “up to date” on your vaccinations on February 2, 2022.
CMS updated its Nursing Home Visitation Frequently Asked Questions on February 2, 2022. Read Consumer Voice’s summary of these updates.
CMS published Frequently Asked Questions regarding its November 12th visitation guidance on January 6, 2022. Consumer Voice provided an update on nursing home visitation in regards to this guidance on January 14, 2022.
CMS released guidance and survey procedures (QSO-22-07) on December 28, 2021 to ensure compliance with nursing home staff vaccination requirements. Read Consumer Voice’s summary of this guidance.
CMS updated their Nursing Home Visitation Guidance (QSO-20-39) on November 12, 2021 making visitation allowed at all times, including indoor visitation. Read Consumer Voice’s key takeaways from the guidance.
On November 12, 2021, CMS updated its guidance related to the state survey process (QSO-22-02). Read Consumer Voice’s summary.
CMS updated its guidance regarding COVID-19 staff testing and outbreak testing (QSO-38-NH Revised) on September 10, 2021.
CMS updated their visitation (QSO-20-39-NH Revised) and testing (QSO-20-38-NH Revised) guidance (4/27/21) to reflect the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) regarding lifting restrictions on dining and other activities for vaccinated nursing home residents.
CMS rescinded three emergency waivers of regulations in place since the beginning of the pandemic – QSO-21-17-NH (4/8/2021). Read Consumer Voice’s summary.
CDC updated their guidance (3/29/21) regarding infection prevention and control to prevent COVID-19 spread in nursing homes. It includes important information about when nursing home residents are required to quarantine. Read Consumer Voice’s summary of the guidance.
CMS updated its guidance on visitation in nursing homes – QSO-20-39-NH REVISED (3/10/21). Read Consumer Voice’s summary, key takeaways and concerns about the guidance.
On March 8, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) released new recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals.
On January 4, 2021, CMS revised a June 1, 2020 memo to State Survey Agency Directors regarding survey activities and issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the resumption of survey activities (QSO-20-31-ALL). Read Consumer Voice’s summary of the revised memo and FAQs.
On December 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issued guidance on COVID-19 testing in nursing homes.
On November 20, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance (QSO-21-03-NH) regarding COVID-19 infection control and prevention in nursing homes. Read Consumer Voice’s summary.
On October 28, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance regarding contact tracing and testing of healthcare personnel for COVID-19.
On October 2, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance (QSO-21-02-NH) regarding COVID-19 infection control and prevention in nursing homes.
On September 17, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance (QSO-20-38-NH) regarding COVID-19 infection control and prevention in nursing homes.
On August 25, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance (QSO-20-37-NH) regarding COVID-19 infection control and prevention in nursing homes.
On June 1, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memo (QSO-20-31-ALL) on the re-opening of nursing homes. Read Consumer Voice’s summary.
On May 18, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance (QSO-20-29-NH) regarding COVID-19 infection control and prevention in nursing homes.
On May 13, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance (QSO-20-28-NH) regarding COVID-19 infection control and prevention in nursing homes.
On April 19, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance (QSO-20-26-NH) regarding COVID-19 infection control and prevention in nursing homes.

CMS and CDC COVID-19 Guidance, Resources & Action

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