COVID-19 Emergency Declaration
On Friday, the Trump Administration announced aggressive actions and regulatory flexibilities to help healthcare providers and states respond to and contain the spread of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking several actions following President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency due to COVID-19.
A press release outlining CMS announcement can be found here
A fact sheet outlining these actions can be found here
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COVID-19 Nursing Home Visitor Guidance
On Friday, as part of the broader Trump Administration announcement, CMS announced critical new measures designed to keep America’s nursing home residents safe from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The measures take the form of a memorandum and is based on the newest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Newest Recommendations from the CDC
It directs nursing homes to significantly restrict visitors and nonessential personnel, as well as restrict communal activities inside nursing homes. The new measures are CMS’s latest action to protect America’s seniors, who are at highest risk for complications from COVID-19. While visitor restrictions may be difficult for residents and families, it is an important temporary measure for their protection.
You can find the press release here
And the Memo Nursing Home Guidance QSO-20-14 –NH here
This guidance, and earlier CMS actions in response to the COVID-19 virus, are part of the ongoing White House Task Force efforts. To keep up with the important work the Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19 click here www.coronavirus.gov . For information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website
