E-News Update Articles

Mass Senior Care has submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services testimony and comments on the proposed federal fiscal year 2022 Medicare SNF Payment rule, emphasizing our concern about the proposed section that would recalibrate the SNF patient driven payment model (PDPM). Read Mass Senior Care's testimony and comments to CMS.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is providing long-term care facilities with updated vaccination guidance to maintain the safety of residents, staff, and visitors, MassHealth has issued All Provider Bulletin 318, which provides an update on monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, DPH is collaborating with the CDC on the development of infection control trainings for frontline healthcare personnel, DPH invites long-term care facilities to attend a virtual Town Hall presentation of the Caring for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia training program, and the next weekly DPH call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

The Massachusetts Senior Care Association looks forward to celebrating National Nursing Assistants Week which kicks off on Thursday, June 17th. This annual celebration is an opportune time to formally recognize and acknowledge the valuable contributions made by members of your staff every day—especially the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who provide quality care to residents.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is thrilled to announce the 2021 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award recipients. This year, 194 skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), 39 assisted living (AL) communities, and 3 combined SNF/AL providers in 42 states achieved the Bronze Award! Three Mass Senior Care member facilities have been recognized this year, including Broad Reach Rehab at Liberty Commons in North Chatham, John Adams HealthCare Center in Quincy and Ledgewood Rehab & Skilled Nursing Center in Beverly.

Governor Baker signed into law on May 28th a bill to address the issue of higher than anticipated solvency assessments in the first quarter of calendar year 2021. The state Department of Unemployment Assistance last month notified employers that the deadline for first quarter unemployment insurance payments had been delayed from April 30th to June 1st, to allow the Administration and legislature time to address the issue of higher than anticipated solvency assessments in the first quarter.

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has established a webpage which consolidates relevant coronavirus and COVID-19 information and answers questions from the public about the EEO laws and COVID-19.

Beginning August 2020, Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) resumed post-payment reviews of items and services with dates of service before March 2020. MACs may now begin conducting post-payment medical reviews for later dates of service.

This memo discusses CHIA updated surveillance testing reporting – streamlined reporting survey and new NIOSH guidance on N-95 respirators

Members are updated on Governor Baker's bill addressing unemployment insurance rate relief and COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave program and the DPH weekly call.

This memo addresses clarification on COVID-19 vaccine education.

EOHHS today issued MassHealth Bulletin 164/May 2021, updating COVID-19 Ongoing Surveillance Testing Requirements. Under this Bulletin, facilities will be required to report to CHIA weekly, with the first week running from Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 7 am through Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 6.59 am.

The Legislature has enacted and sent to Governor Baker a bill to address the issue of higher than anticipated solvency assessments in the first quarter of calendar year 2021. The state Department of Unemployment Assistance last month notified employers that the deadline for first quarter unemployment insurance payments had been delayed from April 30th to June 1st, to allow the Administration and legislature time to address the issue of higher than anticipated solvency assessments in the first quarter.

Last chance to register for Mass Senior Care's MDS 3.0 for PDPM: Confidence in Coding webinar on June 3rd.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on May 22nd announced a new 18-month designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This new TPS designation enables Haitian nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Haiti) currently residing in the United States as of May 21, 2021 to file initial applications for TPS, so long as they meet eligibility requirements.

Mass Senior Care Association continues to work with our member long term care facilities to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among residents and staff. To assist members with talking to long term care staff, residents, and family members about the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, Mass Senior Care is sharing updated and new resources as part of our ongoing campaign “Arming Ourselves Against COVID-19”.

Mass Senior Care is working with MassHealth on transportation issues related to the termination of ambulance contracts and also continues to work with our member long term care facilities to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among residents and staff.

Today, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders announced that after serving as the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health for over 6 years, Commissioner Monica Bharel is stepping down effective June 18. Appointed by Governor Baker in 2015, the Commissioner has steered the Department of Public Health through significant public health challenges including the opioid epidemic, vaping associated lung disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registration is now open for AHCA's 72nd AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo which takes place from October 10-13 at the National Harbor outside Washington, DC. Visit AHCAconvention.org for a special message and invitation from AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Mark Parkinson.

The next meeting of the MSCA OUD Task Force is scheduled for Monday, June 14, 2021 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. This meeting is for Mass Senior Care provider members only. Registration is required.

Today DPH announced updated guidance allowing LTC facilities to request BinaxNOW test kits from DPH through August 2021 and the next weekly DPH call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Members are informed on DPH update to Caring for Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Emergency, COVID-19 vaccine safety message from CDC, requesting PPE from DPH, a pause in the distribution of Bamlanivimab/etesevimab and NHSN vaccine module training.

A memo on the Legislature sending Governor Baker a bill to address (1) DUA Solvency Assessments and (2) COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program.

Earlier this year the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and the MassCyberCenter, two divisions of the MassTech Collaborative, partnered with Massachusetts Senior Care Association and other statewide associations to assess the cybersecurity needs of healthcare organizations and inform improvement strategies over the coming year. One of the core learnings from this assessment was the desire for a monthly healthcare cybersecurity call where representatives from the public and private sectors could provide a threat update and lead a discussion around cybersecurity best practices for provider organizations. Registration is open.

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy) and State Representative Tackey Chan (D-Quincy) visited South Cove Manor at Quincy Point. Li Chen, Administrator, Bill Graves, CEO and Helen Chin Schlichte, Past Chair of South Cove Manor at Quincy Point (photographed) discussed the incredible dedication of their nursing facility staff and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and their efforts to provide vaccines to their residents and dedicated staff.

More than 800 nurses were nominated for this year’s “Salute to Nurses” sponsored by the Boston Globe — the most in its history. Here, you’ll find the letters from those whose lives were touched by a nurse’s compassion, including 57 nominations for long term care nurses. Each story shows how, even in difficult times and in ways big and small, these everyday heroes rise to the occasion.

On May 21st, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services along with other government and community partners is hosting a national vaccine day of action online, and Mass Senior Care is inviting you to join. On May 21st, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services along with other government and community partners is hosting a national vaccine day of action online, and Mass Senior Care is inviting you to join. Please find some tools to make this easy. #WeCanDoThis.

The final two education webinars of the spring are quickly approaching, register now! Please click on the links below to register or email lnguyen@maseniorcare.org if you have any questions.

Mass Senior Care Association continues to work with our member long term care facilities to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among residents and staff. Achieving a high rate of resident and staff vaccinations is critical to our fight against COVID-19 and ensuring the safety of our residents and the entire caregiving team. In addition, vaccination rates will be key drivers in rebuilding census and increasing consumer confidence in long term care services.

Zimmet Healthcare, a Mass Senior Care Associate Member, is hosting its live event, Reimbursement-Con, August 11 & 12, 2021 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

Members are updated on the MassHealth follow up PPA guidance for COVID period and House bill to address (1) DUA solvency assessments and (2) COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave program.

The Baker administration released plans to lift COVID restrictions on May 29 and end the state of emergency on June 15, 2021. In line with updated CDC face covering guidance, the Administration will rescind the current face covering order and issue a new face covering advisory effective May 29. The next weekly DPH call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: Clarification on DPH Comprehensive PPE Guidance Date: May 17, 2021 Clarification on DPH Comprehensive PPE Guidance After hearing from members, Mass Senior Care reached out to DPH for clarification on the most recent Updated Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment released on May 13, 2021. Per DPH, this guidance is for ALL healthcare facilities, not just long-term care facilities. Long-term care facilities are encouraged to follow long-term care

Mass Senior Care is offering several webinars on important COVID-19 related topics, including life safety code, employment leaves and rebuilding census. Please click on the links below to register or email lnguyen@maseniorcare.org if you have any questions. Are You Ready for Your Annual Survey? Tuesday, May 18, 2021 1:00pm – 2:30 pm Presented by HealthPRO Heritage Mass Senior Care's 2021 Quality Leader Sponsor Webinar Description: For some nursing facilities it has been close to two years since their last annual

Mass Senior Care celebrates our nursing home residents and their dedicated caregivers during National Skilled Nursing Care Week. This year's theme is Together Through the Seasons to honor the collaborative commitment of skilled nursing facilities and their staff in providing compassionate care to their residents during these unprecedented times. “During National Skilled Nursing Care Week, we thank our incredible community of long term care heroes who have shown strength and resilience over this past year in protecting our vulnerable residents against one of the deadliest diseases in recent history,” said Tara M. Gregorio, President of Mass Senior Care Association.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering web-based training that provides an overview of the general and key clinical considerations important for conducting standardized cognitive and mood assessments. This four-course series is designed for providers in the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) setting.

Hamel-Lydon Chapel & Cremation Service of Massachusetts (Hamel-Lydon), a Mass Senior Care Association Associate Member, is offering ten (10) $500 awards to candidates who are home health aides, hospice care aides or certified nursing assistants. Qualifying candidates are invited to apply for the award.

The Senate Ways and Means (SWM) Committee on Tuesday released its FY 2022 budget recommendation and Mass Senior Care is pleased to report that the Committee has recommended appropriating additional funding to set Medicaid nursing facility rates using calendar year 2019 costs and to provide an additional rate add of up to 5% for facilities with a disproportionate share of Medicaid residents totaling over 75%. Moving the base year forward to calendar year 2019 will better recognize current costs of care delivery. These two proposals build on the current Medicaid rate modernization initiative which created an integrated base rate that begins to better recognize current resident care costs more accurately.

Mass Senior Care Association continues to work with our member long term care facilities to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among residents and staff. Achieving a high rate of resident and staff vaccinations is critical to our fight against COVID-19 and ensuring the safety of our residents and the entire caregiving team. There are several strategies that have proven successful in increasing vaccination rates and addressing hesitancy in long term care facilities.

Today the DPH is rescinding the memorandum entitled "Long-Term Care Facility Staff and Resident Roster Reporting to the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA)" effective today, May 13, 2021, also the DPH revised the Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidance. The revisions reflect a greater availability of PPE and the return to conventional uses of PPE, including N95 respirators, in alignment with CDC guidance.

This memorandum discusses the Interim Final Rule on COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for LTCF and ICFs-IID, all BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag cards currently have a twelve-month expiry date and the weekly DPH call.

Based on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased availability of vaccines, and feedback from long-term care (LTC) facilities and National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) users, the CDC is updating and simplifying the NHSN modules on weekly reporting of COVID-19 vaccination data for LTC facility residents and health care personnel. NHSN will host one live training webinar and four re-broadcasts of the webinar.

Based on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased availability of vaccines, and feedback from long-term care (LTC) facilities and National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) users, the CDC is updating and simplifying the NHSN modules on weekly reporting of COVID-19 vaccination data for LTC facility residents and health care personnel.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services has issued the proposed 2021 Temporary Nursing Services (TNS) regulation, which establishes the maximum price a TNS agency can charge nursing homes and hospitals for RN, LPN and CNA services.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to welcome new members to our Association. Our Associate Members have demonstrated their commitment to the senior care provider community by joining Mass Senior Care and participating as exhibitors and sponsors for events and educational conferences.

Mass Senior Care is offering several webinars on important COVID-19 related topics, including life safety code, employment leaves and rebuilding census. Please click on the links below to register or email lnguyen@maseniorcare.org if you have any questions.

Vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers continues to loom as a concern for the general public and a recent Boston Globe editorial, It’s time for employers to impose vaccine mandates, underscores the need for long term care providers to redouble their efforts to educate staff about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Massachusetts Senior Care Association is excited to participate in the upcoming observance of National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW), which will be held May 9-15, 2021.

At today’s virtual Spring Conference, Mass Senior Care President Tara Gregorio and Board Chair Tom Lavallee shared the Association’s successes and challenges as we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. “For the past 14 months, our members have courageously battled to protect their residents against this insidious virus with great skill, compassion and fortitude,” said Gregorio. “Thanks to your extraordinary work, encouraging data show significant declines in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths among Massachusetts nursing home residents and staff and this is something we can all be proud of.” As the long term care provider community moves forward with its rebuilding and recovery plans, Gregorio noted that addressing the extreme workforce challenges facing members is one of the Association’s top priorities and outlined strategies currently being implemented to help members attract and retain qualified workers.

Meet Dianne Ferraro who is one of the 45,000 dedicated caregivers working on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic to protect and care for the Commonwealth’s nursing home residents. Dianne is a Nurse Unit Manager at Alliance Health at Rosewood in Peabody.

May 6th marks the beginning of National Nurses Week and we are honored to celebrate the compassionate, dedicated nurses who care for our most vulnerable residents. Thank you for giving your heart and soul to the long term care profession!