Florida may have served as a template for the federal government’s guidance unveiled in September on nursing home visitation. The plan received high praise from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma earlier that month.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in early September announced the state’s limited reopening plan for long-term care facilities. Facilities are allowed to resume general visitation only if there are no new COVID-19 cases for at least 14 days, according to the guidance. Visitors are also required to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Verma commended the state’s plan during a roundtable discussion with Tampa-area healthcare leaders.
“I can tell you right now, we’re working on this as well,” Verma said during the roundtable. “And we’re reviewing what Florida has done and that will help us as we’re developing our policy for the whole country.”
Just days later, CMS disclosed new national visitation guidance that allows for indoor visitation if there has not been a new COVID-19 case in a facility for 14 days, and other criteria.
From the October 2020 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
