CMS Sends More Detailed Guidance to Providers about COVID-19
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took action to protect the health and safety of our nation’s patients and providers in the wake of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This includes clear, actionable information on the screening, treatment, and transfer procedures to follow when interacting with patients. CMS:
- Issued guidance for hospice and nursing homes to protect staff and vulnerable patients. See hospice guidance and nursing home guidance.
- Supplemented its guidance to Home Health Agencies (HHAs) and dialysis facilities. We developed Memoranda from FAQs we received about interacting with patients amid COVID-19. See HHA guidance and dialysis facility guidance.
- Issued a call to action for hospital emergency departments to screen patients. We announced actions to ensure Medicare-participating hospitals continue to implement infection control procedures they are required to maintain under federal regulations. See hospitals with emergency departments guidance.
- Highlighted telehealth benefits in the Medicare program for use by patients and providers. Expanded use of virtual care are important tools for keeping beneficiaries healthy, while helping to contain the community spread; see the fact sheet (PDF) on coverage and payment related to COVID-19.
- Issued key protective mask guidance for health care workers. We sent a memorandum to State Survey Agencies (SSAs) clarifying the application of our policies that expand the types of facemasks health care workers may use in situations involving COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.
- Issued guidance to SSAs suspending non-emergency survey inspections. These FAQs (PDF) ensure surveyors understand the changes in guidance suspending non-emergency survey inspections, allowing them to focus on the most current serious health and safety threats.
- Issued guidance to help Medicare Advantage and Part D plans respond. In the memorandum (PDF), CMS outlines the flexibilities plans have to waive certain requirements.
Help the White House Coronavirus Task Force spread the word on keeping workplaces, homes, schools, or commercial establishments safe. Please distribute these documents widely as we work together on this important issue:
Visit the Coronavirus Disease 2019 website for updated information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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 to date, visit the CMS Current Emergencies website.