In a June 28, 2013 letter (Ref: S&C: 13-42-NH), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a reminder about the rights of residents to receive visitors. 24-hour visitation must be allowed for residents as long as they have consented to having visitors, with a few restrictions. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and in time for Pride Month, this reminder states that “residents must be notified of their rights to have visitors on a 24-hour basis, who could include, but are not limited to, spouses (including same-sex spouses), domestic partners (including same-sex domestic partners), other family members and friends.
This is effective immediately.