HHS Extends Coverage For COVID-19 Screening Tests at Congregate Facilities during the Pandemic | HHS.gov

HHS Extends Coverage For COVID-19 Screening Tests at Congregate Facilities during the Pandemic | HHS.gov

HHS Extends Coverage For COVID-19 Screening Tests at Congregate Facilities during the Pandemic

Monday, August 31, 2020

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Assistant Secretary for Health, extended coverage under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to licensed healthcare practitioners prescribing or administering point-of-care COVID-19 tests, using anterior nares specimen collection or self-collection, for screening in congregate facilities across the Nation.

Enhancing the safety of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, long-term-care facilities, and other facilities where people congregate to receive care or education or to work is critical for our Nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using COVID-19 tests to screen for infections, including in asymptomatic individuals, is a key part of that effort.