In a December 31 memo the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updates state survey agency directors on the status of sub-regulatory guidance related to requirements for long-term care reporting through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) as COVID-19 data reporting requirements sunset on December 31, 2024.

A November 2024 rule finalized requirements for nursing homes to report data on respiratory illnesses including COVID, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on a weekly basis beginning January 1, 2025. While the requirements are technically new, the reporting itself is simply a continuation of reporting that was most recently updated in September 2024.

The CMS Memo QSO-25-11-NH clarifies that sub-regulatory guidance is forthcoming. Nursing homes will be surveyed on these requirements once guidance has been released and surveyors have been trained; however, the effective date of these requirements remains January 1. Providers should continue reporting per usual on a weekly basis, including reporting of healthcare personnel COVID vaccination status. For more information on reporting requirements, read here.