DOH Suspends Distribution of COVID Tests to Nursing Homes and ACFs

LeadingAge NY has been informed by NYS Department of Health staff that they are no longer providing monthly distributions of COVID test kits to nursing homes and adult care facilities. Providers that need additional test kits may contact their local office of emergency management (OEM) to request test kits. The Department has assured the association that there are supplies available. If the local OEM lacks test kits, they should submit a request to the State OEM’s incident management system (NY Responds).

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also providing test kits to nursing homes and assisted living facilities upon request. Requests may be submitted by emailing HHS here with the following information:

• The name and address of the facility
• Whether it is an assisted living or skilled nursing facility
• A copy of the facility's current Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) waiver (limited service laboratory registration)
• The name, email address, and phone number of a point of contact at the facility
• The number of employees in the facility
• The number of tests per week required

Providers are encouraged to check for extensions of test kits' expiration dates prior to discarding them. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has posted expiration date and extension information here.

Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org