State Issues DAL on Hospice Care in Nursing Homes

The Department of Health (DOH) issued a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) last week clarifying that hospice providers working under a hospice agency pursuant to Article 40 who are providing contracted services in a nursing home are not considered visitors per the Department's Jan. 12, 2022 Health Advisory on Nursing Home Staff and Visitation Requirements. The Advisory had omitted identification of hospice personnel as exempt from the testing requirements of the Advisory.

Hospice personnel visiting residents of nursing homes receiving contracted hospice services from an Article 40 hospice are providers who are exempt from testing and are not to be treated as visitors to the nursing home.

Hospices are reminded that providers are required to screen staff as outlined in DAL 20-08, Re: COVID-19 Guidance for Home Health Care Agencies and Hospice Providers, dated March 22, 2020. In addition, COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots are a regulatory requirement of the Public Health Law. Hospices are also advised to report any instances in which a nursing home prevents contracted hospice personnel from entering the nursing home in order to service patients on hospice to the DOH Regional Office or to send an email to covidhomecareinfo@health.ny.gov.