chevron-down Created with Sketch Beta.
June 19, 2020

CMS Provides Facilities Reopening Recommendations for Facilities Seeking to Provide Non-COVID-19 Services

CMS recently released a detailed list of recommendations for facilities seeking to reopen to provide non-emergent, non-COVID-19 healthcare. Applicable to facilities in areas in Phase II of CMS reopening categories, the recommendations list multiple considerations each facility should individually evaluate when preparing a reopening strategy. The recommendations describe factors in multiple categories, including facility considerations, testing capabilities, PPE availability, workforce availability, and sanitation protocols. In addition to the reopening recommendations, CMS continues to advise providers to utilize telehealth services to the maximum extent possible when telehealth services are available and appropriate. The recommendations also encourage facilities to prioritize services that, if deferred, would result in patient harm and to prioritize at-risk populations who would benefit most from such services.