Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds for NH to purchase tents and/or clear dividers for in-person visitation, and communicative technology devices for virtual visits

 

To: All Nursing Facilities From: Jo Tansey, Nursing Facilities Section Manager, Acute and Nursing Facilities Branch In-Person Visitation Aids The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has new guidance for visitation in nursing homes during the COVID-19 PHE. The guidance provides reasonable ways a nursing home can safely facilitate in-person visitation to address the psychosocial needs of residents. CMS will now approve the use of Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment funds to purchase tents for outdoor visitation and/or clear dividers (e.g., Plexiglas or similar products) to create physical barriers to reduce the risk of transmission during in-person visits. Funding for tents and/or clear dividers is limited to a maximum of $3,000 per facility. NOTE: When installing tents, facilities need to ensure appropriate life safety code requirements found at 42 CFR 483.90 are met, unless waived under the PHE declaration. The criteria, Life Safety Code requirements, application, and instructions for the In-Person Visitation Aid Requests can be found at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xjADlEjTe6NJoYtdh_qOMJnlQ8nCToI4?usp=sharing.   Communicative Technology Devices Recognizing that visitor restrictions can be difficult for residents and families CMS will approve the use of CMP funds to provide residents with adaptive communicative technologies for virtual visits, as well as telehealth visits. Funding for Communication Technology Devices is limited to a maximum of $3,000 per facility. The criteria, application and instructions for Communicative Technology Requests can be found at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zaWYgbEUwivCTQxtZBD_YNH4lLondR2m?usp=sharing. Note: Prior to filling out an application, you will need to download and save it to your desktop. Colorado nursing facilities should submit their applications and any questions to cdphe_nhib_grants@state.co.us.