The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memo outlining new COVID-19 testing requirements for long-term care (LTC) facilities. The memo states that LTC facilities must test residents and staff, including volunteers and individuals providing services under arrangement, for COVID-19 based on parameters set forth by the HHS Secretary. The memo also updates recommendations for testing individuals within 90 days after recovering from COVID-19. Facilities must have procedures in place to address staff and residents who refuse testing or are unable to be tested. Compliance with the testing requirements will be assessed through the COVID-19 Focused Survey and during the Standard Survey for Nursing Homes. Noncompliance related to this new requirement will be cited at new tag F886.

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