On September 17, 2020, CMS released a memorandum addressing visitation guidance and the use of Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds.

The visitation guidance emphasizes core principles regarding hygeine and screening of visitors consistent with the CDC, and outlines recommendations for both indoor and outdoor visitation. It also touches on compassionate care visits, access to the long -term care ombudsman, federal disability rights laws and Protection & Advocacy (P&A) Programs, and entry of other providers of service.

CMS has also expanded the use of CMP funds to help facilitate in-person visits with residents, such as through the purchase of tents and Plexiglass dividers. Please reach out to your state agency’s CMP contact to apply to receive such funding.

This policy is effective immediately, and we highly recommend you review the memo in its entirety to understand what this means for your facility.