Facilitating Virtual Visitation for Nursing Home Residents Act of 2021
This bill provides statutory authority for certain requirements with respect to the rights of residents in Medicare skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Specifically, the bill requires SNFs to provide residents with reasonable access to a telephone and the internet and to inform residents of such access and of any policy changes regarding external visitors.
Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must issue guidance to help SNFs ensure that residents have access to televisitation during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).