CMS Updates LTC Facility Testing Requirements & Visitation Guidance

On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a revised guidance for COVID-19 long-term care (LTC) facility testing requirements for both staff and residents. These revisions apply to the original guidance that was issued on August 25, 2020 and focus primarily on testing and vaccinations. CMS also revised the nursing home visitation guidance during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), which includes the impact of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Based on these recent revisions, the Department of Human Services (DHS) encourages all personal care homes (PCHs) and Assisted Living Residences to implement the policies contained in these revised guidances immediately. DHS will issue updated guidance in the near future. Questions about these revisions should be directed to ARL Headquarters.