New CMS regulations and guidance require outbreak testing of staff and residents, routine staff testing, testing documentation, and reporting in nursing homes. More stringent New York State weekly staff testing regulations continue to apply. Members should take note of testing requirements applicable to an outbreak, defined as a single confirmed case among staff or confirmed nursing home-onset case among residents.

New rules address testing for residents and staff.

Most New York State nursing homes will receive free point-of-care testing instruments and test kits from CMS if they have a limited service lab registration by Sept. 30^th. Facilities with a limited service lab registration must add the specified COVID-19 antigen tests to their registrations.

CMS will be distributing point-of-care COVID-19 testing instruments and test supplies to several nursing homes in New York. To conduct the tests, nursing homes will have to add the tests to their Limited Service Laboratory Registrations.