E-News Update Articles

Massachusetts Representatives Lori Trahan, Jake Auchincloss, Katherine Clark, Jim McGovern, Ayanna Pressley and Seth Moulton have signed on to a Congressional letter to President Biden’s COVID-19 Response team coordinator listing their concerns that certain nurse-staffing agencies are taking advantage of the pandemic to increase their profits at the expense of patients. The letter urges the White House to enlist one or more of the federal agencies with competition and consumer protection authority to investigate this conduct to determine if it

Today is the last chance to submit a National Quality Award Application – applications must be submitted by 8pm EST on Thursday, January 27.

The Baker-Polito Administration yesterday filed its Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget proposal totaling $48.5 billion, in which the Governor proposes maintaining the current nursing facility funding levels.

Today, Secretary Marylou Sudders released a letter addressed to families of long-term care residents, and on January 25, 2022 CMS issued memo QSO-22-10-ALL to all State Survey Agencies, requiring onsite surveyors - including CLIA and Life Safety surveyors - to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an acceptable medical or religious exemption.

As outlined in QSO memo 22-08-NH from earlier this year CMS has added 5 five additional staffing measures to Care Compare (formerly Nursing Home Compare). Three staff turnover and two weekend staffing measures have been added to with the latest update.

Yesterday the DPH released updated guidance on Caring for LTC Residents during the COVID-19 Emergency which required testing of all staff that were not up to date with COVID-19 vaccine at the beginning of each shift, and on Friday, January 21, 2022, the FDA approved Remdesivir (Veklury), administered in a series of three daily intravenous infusions (200 mg, 100 mg, 100 mg), for patients not hospitalized due to COVID-19 and with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 within seven days of symptom onset in patients at risk of progression to severe disease.

The DPH will be holding a nursing home provider call on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m, DPH released revised Update to Caring for Long-Term Care Residents during the COVID-19 Response guidance, today the DPH released additional information about the Skilled Nursing Facility Short-Term Rehab Temporary Program and the list of skilled nursing facilities that are currently participating in this program, and last week, the DPH released Updated Comprehensive PPE Guidance.

Mass Senior Care has been informed by DPH that there will be a subsequent revision to the Update to Caring for Long-Term Care Residents during the COVID-19 Emergency guidance that was released today.

Alleviate some of your workforce challenges by training staff and volunteers to become feeding assistants. Overall health is greatly improved when residents are able to maintain good nutrition. AHCA's easy-to-use training manual provides important background information and practical exercises. Topics covered in this timely resource include feeding and hydration techniques, safety and emergency procedures, communication and interpersonal skills, and infection prevention and control.

MassHealth has issued All Provider Bulletin 337, MassHealth Pharmacy Coverage of Over-the-Counter Diagnostic Antigen Tests for SARS-CoV-2 indicating that effective January 14, 2022, the following at-home antigen self-test kits have been added to the MassHealth Non-Drug Product List and will be covered through the MassHealth pharmacy benefit.

DPH has released an updated REDCap link through which long-term care facilities submit Chapter 93 data to the Department, and free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests available to all residents through a new web-based ordering platform.

The next CMS Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum is scheduled for Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). Registration is not required but participants should dial-in at least 15 minutes before call start time. The following will be discussed during the call: PBJ Reminder Policy Questions should be sent to NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov Technical Issues/Questions should be sent to iqies@cms.hhs.gov PBJ Website: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Ins… Public Reporting Updates on the January 2022 Refresh

Under M.G.L. c. 111, § 53B and M.G.L. c. 111, § 203, all health care facilities, clinics, and nursing homes are required to submit a Health Care Facility Disciplinary Action Annual Summary Report (“HCFD-3”) to the Data Repository Unit (“DRU”) of the Board of Registration in Medicine (“the Board”) each year. The DRU is part of the Board’s Legal Unit and processes all statutory reports sent to the Board from mandated reporters. The HCFD-3 form should include all disciplinary actions

Mass Senior Care Association is pleased to announce we are planning to host our Spring Conference & Trade in person on Tuesday, May 3rd at the DCU Center in Worcester and will be adhering to all applicable safety protocols.

The deadline to submit all applications to AHCA is by 8 p.m. EST next Thursday, January 27.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the declaration that a public health emergency (PHE) exists. This is effective January 16, 2022 and will continue for 90 days pursuant to federal law. PHE renewal is through mid-April and provides for the uninterrupted continuation of several flexibilities that have protected beneficiary access to important services in as safe and effective manner as possible.

MassHealth has issued All Provider Bulletin 337, MassHealth Pharmacy Coverage of Over-the-Counter Diagnostic Antigen Tests for SARS-CoV-2.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the declaration that a public health emergency (PHE) exists, and the DPH will be holding a nursing home provider call on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.

DPH released updated Long-term Care Facility COVID-19 Personnel Vaccination Requirement which provides additional guidance related to the January 6, 2022, Public Health Order mandating booster vaccines for all eligible personnel in long-term care facilities.

On January 7, 2022, CMS posted QSO memo 22-08-NH indicating it will begin posting staffing turnover and weekend staffing levels for each nursing home on the Medicare.gov Care Compare website​ in January and add the measures to the staffing domain of the Five Star Rating system in July 2022.   

Mass Senior Care is reminding members that MassHealth will issue a one-time supplemental payment to nursing facilities if 75% of the facility’s eligible staff members receive a COVID-19 vaccine third dose or booster dose by January 16, 2022.

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, from 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and her leadership team will provide updates​ on the CMS Strategic Vision, key 2021 accomplishments, and 2022 goals.

MassHealth has issued a reminder that Nursing Facility Bulletin 170: HST Brokerage Transportation for Members in Nursing Facilities is now posted to the MassHealth Nursing facility Bulletin website. The link to download the bulletin can be found here: download (mass.gov). 

The Department of Public Health (DPH) in April 2021 adopted revisions to the LTCF licensure regulations that included a provision that facilities must meet a requirement to have no more than 2 beds in a room by April 30, 2022.

The Boston Medical Center is offering free, virtual X-waiver training in January to February and February to March 2022. for all prescribers regardless if they currently prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). The training is necessary to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) in 30 or more residents. For those who treat fewer than 30 residents, the training is still highly recommended.

EOHHS has issued a Notice Opportunity to Participate in the Care Model Focus Initiative (CMFI) Core Team for the One Care Program. The agency is seeking up to five individuals to participate on the Core Team to examine the Care Model domains associated with the One Care program.

The DPH has provided important reminders for Long-Term Care Facilities on the Reporting of Influenza and Influenza-Like Illness. As in past years, long-term care facilities should report influenza-like illness (ILI) clusters (three cases of ILI in residents), or one lab-confirmed case of influenza in a resident, by faxing a 2019 Teleform to 617-983-6220.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to welcome new members to our Association. Our members have demonstrated their commitment to the senior care provider community by joining Mass Senior Care and we are grateful for their support.

MassHealth has extended the deadline for responses on the agency’s Health Equity Requests for Information (RFIs) to February 4, 2022:

The DPH in April 2021 adopted revisions to the LTCF licensure regulations that included a provision that facilities must meet a requirement to have no more than 2 beds in a room by April 30, 2022. The regulations included a provision allowing facilities unable to fully comply to demonstrate that they have made good faith efforts to try to comply with the regulation by the deadline.

In an ongoing effort to support members with the accuracy of NHSN reporting, Mass Senior Care confirmed that facilities, when completing the Weekly Healthcare Personnel COVID-19 Vaccination Cumulative Summary Question #1, should only include HCP that were eligible to have worked at this healthcare facility for at least 1 day during the week of data collection, and Mass Senior Care is reminding members that MassHealth will issue a one-time supplemental payment to nursing facilities if 75% of the facility’s eligible staff members receive a COVID-19 vaccine third dose or booster dose by January 16, 2022.

Today Governor Baker activated 500 additional members of the Massachusetts National Guard to support the state’s health care system.

The DPH monthly call is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, 2022, DPH has provided important reminders for Long-Term Care Facilities on the Reporting of Influenza and Influenza-Like Illness, on January 6, 2022, CMS again updated the Nursing Home Visitation FAQs, CMS posted QSO memo 22-08-NH indicating it will begin posting staffing turnover and weekend staffing levels for each nursing home on the Medicare.gov Care Compare website​ in January and add the measures to the staffing domain of the Five Star Rating system in July 2022, and the CDC Recommends Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster at 5 Months.

In order to create bed availability for individuals who need nursing facility level of care and better utilize SNF resources, EOHHS and DPH is announcing a temporary program that adds short-term rehabilitation capacity in all regions of Massachusetts, Mass Senior Care asked the state for an immediate increase in the allocation of BinaxNOW test kits to nursing facilities, and MassHealth has issued a reminder that Nursing Facility Bulletin 170: HST Brokerage Transportation for Members in Nursing Facilities is now posted to the MassHealth Nursing facility Bulletin website.

Members are provided updates on the Public Health Emergency Order for COVID-19 booster vaccination, Implementation of Order of the Commissioner of Public Health Regarding Control of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities, Long-Term Care visitation guidance, and an announcement for skilled nursing facilities for short-term rehabilitation capacity.

On December 30, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and the United States Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, in partnership with AHCA/NCAL, Leading Age and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), hosted a virtual forum to discuss the importance of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to protect residents, staff and their loved ones from COVID-19, and MassHealth today informed nursing facilities of new temporary (1) Clinical Eligibility and (2) PASRR Flexibilities to assist patient flow from acute hospitals to nursing facilities.

DPH released revisions to the Caring for LTC Residents during the COVID-19 Response, and effective January 1, 2022, under the “Patient First” law which applies to nursing homes, health care providers are required to notify patients about charges and payments for proposed admissions, procedures, services, and referrals that are specific to the patient’s insurance carrier.

On December 22, 2021, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) submitted a request to extend the MassHealth Section 1115 Demonstration (“1115 waiver”) to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Yesterday, the DPH updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for Health Care Personnel, and today, the DPH released information on the use of Casirivimab/imdevimab and bamlanivimab/etesivimab as a treatment or post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 cases where the Omicron variant has been identified.

On March 21, 2022, MassHealth will update its Eligibility Verification System (EVS) and the HIPAA Health Care Eligibility Benefit Inquiry and Response (270/271) transaction to include the additional benefit plans below for applicable members: COVID Uninsured Coverage CMSP Limited HSN Trading partners should visit the MassHealth HIPAA Companion Guides webpage listed below to evaluate the changes outlined in the MassHealth HIPAA Health Care Eligibility Benefit Inquiry and Response (270/271) Companion Guide, and ensure that their systems can accept the additional

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022!

Mass Senior Care Association continues to work with our member long term care facilities to increase COVID-19 booster vaccination rates among residents, their families, staff and visitors. Achieving a high rate of booster vaccinations groups is critical to our fight against COVID-19 and ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and the entire caregiving team.

The Broad Institute will be closed beginning today, Thursday, December 30th at 2pm and will reopen on Sunday, January 2nd, the CDC released updated guidance on isolation and quarantine for who test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with COVID-19, on Tuesday, CMS released guidance enforcing the Interim Final Rule (IFR) issued November 5, 2021, mandating the COVID-19 vaccine in health care settings, and OSHA withdraws Healthcare ETS - Update.

Join HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and other Senior COVID-19 Response Leaders for a Virtual Town Hall – co-sponsored by AHCA/NCAL, LeadingAge, and SEIU to discuss the latest news on the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the impact of boosters for residents and staff, OSHA announced that it will now only require that nursing facilities maintain a COVID-19 log and other previous reporting requirements, and HRSA provided updated information on the status of PRF Phase 4 and ARP Rural Payments.

CMS issued a new set of Frequently​ Asked Questions on the revised nursing home visitation guidelines, outlined in memo “QSO-20-39-NH REVISED​ to provide further clarification, CDC today announced updates to their guidance on Managing Health Care Personnel with COVID-19 Infection or Exposure, DPH updated the Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidance, and new information about available treatments and efficacy of treatments against current COVID-19 variants is constantly being released.

Earlier this week, AHCA/NCAL, LeadingAge, and the AARP co-hosted a town hall featuring Admiral Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps to answer questions about the Omicron variant, boosters, and why we need to step up the timeline to get the booster.

Yesterday, the Baker-Polito Administration announced additional measures to address a recent rise in COVID-19 cases and to ensure acute care hospitals have sufficient capacity to care for both COVID and non-COVID patients.

MassHealth has issued Nursing Facility Bulletin 173 specifying the billing method nursing facilities can use to obtain reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccine administration to MassHealth residents, effective October 1, 2021.

As the proportion of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant rises in Massachusetts, the benefit of mAb other than Sotrovimab is declining rapidly. Sotrovimab is the preferred mAb product for treatment of COVID-19 when Omicron is likely to be present and should be the only product used for patients with a high likelihood of Omicron infection or at the highest risk of progression to severe disease, and yesterday EOEA released an Updated Resource Guide for ALRs for COVID Incident Reports.

On Tuesday, December 21 at 4:00 pm Eastern, AHCA/NCAL, LeadingAge and the AARP will co-host a town hall featuring Admiral Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps to answer questions about the Omicron variant, boosters, and why we need to step up the timeline to get the booster, and in recognition of upcoming holidays, CHIA has notified nursing facilities that the deadlines for submission of the COVID-19 surveillance testing report will be extended.