News Article

Updated Nursing Home Visitation Guidance from CMS

May 10, 2023

On May 8, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updated nursing home visitation 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.
 
Additional updates include:

• Facilities should post visual alerts in the facility alerting the public to infection control procedures and practices.
• Indoor visitation should occur in the residents room during a COVID-19 outbreak.
• Facilities must continue to follow CDC recommendations regarding infection control procedures.

Importantly, the guidance continues to state there are no current COVID-19 scenarios that would permit a facility to prohibit a resident to have visitors at anytime.  
 
Additionally, on May 11, 2023, the COVID-19 outbreak testing requirement will no longer be in effect. Under that guidance, facilities were required to follow a certain testing protocol when a COVID-19 outbreak occurred. The updated guidance requires nursing homes to conduct COVID-19 testing in compliance with CDC recommendations.