Infection Prevention News 2026Jan22

COVID and Respiratory Infection Requirements

Following a December bulletin regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) reinforcement of COVID guidelines, LeadingAge has received many questions from providers and state partners about how to navigate COVID outbreaks when discrepancies exist between state requirements and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommendations. While some states may be advising nursing homes to follow state requirements and guidelines for resident isolation, testing, and healthcare personnel return-to-work, CMS maintains that nursing homes must continue to follow requirements at 42 CFR 483.80 that require an infection prevention and control program that is based on “accepted national standards.” LeadingAge has previously advocated to CDC and Health & Human Services Secretary Kennedy for updated guidelines. We have also requested CMS to issue policy revisions to allow nursing homes to follow state-level guidance until CDC guidance is updated, but no policy changes have been issued. LeadingAge has notified CMS that states continue to provide advice that conflicts with CMS requirements. At this time, we recommend nursing homes continue to follow CDC guidelines while encouraging your state survey agency to reach out to CMS for clarification.