E-News Update Articles

The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care is now accepting nominations for its 2021 National Compassionate Caregivers of the Year Award. The National Compassionate Caregivers of the Year (NCCY) Award recognizes extraordinary healthcare professionals from across the country who embody the characteristics of compassionate care, and whose professional achievements have helped to create healing healthcare environments for patients, families, colleagues, and communities.

Reminders about the third room density report due on February 26, 2021 and seasonal influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel.

In response to a statement released yesterday by Mass Senior Care Association (MSCA), The Boston Herald and many other news outlets across the state shared the news that “Encouraging data released today by the Massachusetts Senior Care Association show nursing homes in Massachusetts have made significant strides in mitigating the spread of, and preventing deaths from, the COVID-19 virus. The data also show that prioritizing nursing home residents and staff for the vaccine rollout is working exceedingly well.”

Tara Gregorio, President of Mass Senior Care earlier this month testified before the Massachusetts Health Equity Task Force. The Task Force, established by state law, is charged with making short and long term recommendations to the Legislature that address health disparities for underserved or underrepresented populations.

An update on DPH guidance on vaccination options for LTC residents and staff.

This memorandum addresses EOHHS update to the LTC Family Communication Letter, provides reminders about the DCC-Q filing due on March 1, 2021 and the DPH weekly call, also discusses how to request an extended repayment schedule in follow up to the recent update on Medicare Advance and Accelerated Payments (AAP).

A memo to members regarding an update to Medicare 3-Day Stay and Benefit Period Waivers Fact Sheet and FAQs and a reminder that the DCC-Q filing is due on March 1, 2021.

An update on Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) release of a Family Communication, “COVID-19 Prevention Protocols Post Vaccination" and MassHealth All-Provider Transportation Provider Bulletin in regard to transportation for members to vaccination sites for COVID-19 vaccine administration.

As part of Mass Senior Care Association’s Arming Ourselves Against COVID-19 campaign, we continue to provide new educational materials regarding the COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy available in multiple languages to ensure trusted information is accessible to long term care staff, residents and their family members. New educational videos in Haitian Creole, Cantonese and Mandarin featuring Christine Pierre, MD and Robert Wu, MD are now available for Mass Senior Care members to use to help communicate facts about the COVID-19

Mass Senior Care’s education programs will continue to be offered virtually for the next several months. Members receive discounted rates on all education programs/webinars, including partnership programs such as Harmony Healthcare. Please click on the links for each program to access the registration program or email lnguyen@maseniorcare.org if you have any questions.

Members are reminded about the surveillance testing requirement and January 2021 surveillance testing payments.

This week, the Boston Herald published an article, Massachusetts nursing homes report dramatic drop in coronavirus death rate since vaccine rollout. “The virus death rate and case counts at nursing homes have significantly declined, a “very encouraging” trend that shows the vax working for the high-risk group that received it first, doctors tell the Herald.”

Members are updated on Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) repayments.

Information is provided on DPH memorandum on temporary nursing agency rates, updated COVID diagnosis codes and the DPH weekly call.

Operation September Freedom is a national effort by Dream Flights to locate and honor World War II veterans with free Dream Flights in their fleet of restored WWII-era Stearman biplanes. During a 20-minute Dream Flight, veterans experience the freedom and exhilaration of soaring 1,000 feet in the air in an iconic, open-cockpit-biplane.

As part of Mass Senior Care Association’s Arming Ourselves Against COVID-19 campaign, we continue to provide new educational materials regarding the COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy available in multiple languages to ensure trusted information is accessible to long term care staff, residents and their family members. New educational videos in Haitian Creole, Cantonese and Mandarin featuring Christine Pierre, MD and Robert Wu, MD are now available for Mass Senior Care members to use to help communicate facts about the COVID-19 vaccine as well as highlight the importance of vaccination.

“Motivated by what felt like necessity and equipped with their abundant compassion, ample ingenuity, and copious colored pens, Saffron Patel and her sister Shreya founded Letters Against Isolation, an organization that links volunteer letter-writers with people residing in various types of care homes.”

We need you to act now! You can either call or write your Member of Congress to protect access to long term care for vulnerable residents.

The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated list which reflects all OIG exclusions and reinstatement actions up to, and including, those taken in January 2021.

EOHHS has posted a recording of yesterday’s DCC-Q webinar on its website.

EOHHS issued Administrative Bulletin 21-02 to set forth the compliance criteria, reporting requirements, penalty amount, and recovery and referral procedures for the nursing facility direct care cost quotient and EOHHS has posted a recording of yesterday’s DCC-Q webinar on its website.

EOHHS Direct Care Cost-Quotient (DCC-Q) FAQ updated to address certain questions either submitted prior to, or during the course of, today’s DCC-Q webinar and new educational videos in English, Haitian Creole, Cantonese and Mandarin are now available for Mass Senior Care members.

An announcement EOHHS issues initial FAQ for DCC-Q and an invitation to join tomorrow's MassHealth webinar for more information as well as a reminder about the weekly DPH Call.

Member information regarding first dose of vaccine at final clinic, DCC-Q webinar and deadline extended to March 1st, monoclonal antibody therapy – member video implementation and MassHealth COVID-19 billing instructions.

Updates on the first dose of vaccine at final clinic, monoclonal antibody therapy – member video implementation and MassHealth COVID-19 billing instructions.

Discussion on COVID-19 Vaccine in LTCF Making a Difference and DCC-Q Extension and Webinar

The update shares MA county positivity rates as of February 3, 2021.

Across the Commonwealth long term care staff and the residents they care for are rolling up their sleeves to get vaccinated. In a new video from Mass Senior Care, Dr. Christine Pierre, a Geriatric Primary Care Physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Extended Care Community Program, shares her personal experience with the COVID-19 vaccine and answers the most frequently asked questions by long term care staff.

Mass Senior Care’s education programs will continue to be offered virtually for the next several months. Members receive discounted rates on all education programs/webinars, including partnership programs such as Harmony Healthcare. Please click on the links for each program to access the registration program or email lnguyen@maseniorcare.org if you have any questions.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) today re-issued proposed LTCF licensure amendments that reflect public testimony from MSCA and members that highlighted the potential disruption and cost of applying new construction standards retroactively to existing buildings. The Department’s proposed new square footage requirements would apply only to new construction or reconstruction.

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 members are encouraged to contact Associate Members when they are in need of long term care products and services. You can find all of our Associate Members listed on our website, www.maseniorcare.org/preferred-vendors.

Today, the DPH released Updates to Visitation Conditions, Communal Dining, and Congregate Activities in Long-Term Care Facilities during the COVID-19 Outbreak. The updated guidance amends previously-issued restrictions on in-person visitation, group activities, and communal dining.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) today re-issued proposed LTCF licensure amendments that reflect public testimony from MSCA and members that highlighted the potential disruption and cost of applying new construction standards retroactively to existing buildings. The Department’s proposed new square footage requirements would apply only to new construction or reconstruction. Further, the proposed start date for this provision and the proposed bed reduction changes would be on or after April 30, 2022 and the proposed HPPD requirements would start on April 1, 2021.

Information regarding MassHealth emergency NF rate regulation and DPH updates to visitation conditions, communal dining, and congregate activities in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Today's update focuses on MassHealth DCC-Q Form, DPH weekly call and an important ransomware webinar.

A memorandum discussing extension on BinaxNOW kit distribution; infection control surveys reveal continued diligence needed on PPE and hand hygiene, vaccination resources available in multiple languages .

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Walter Ohanian. A long time member of Mass Senior Care Association and the American College of Health Care Administrators, Walter was one of the first nursing home administrators licensed by the state of Massachusetts.

Memo discussing updates on MassHealth Direct Care Cost-Quotient (DCC-Q) form, testing and county positivity rates and new 2021 Five-Star ratings.

AHCA/NCAL has released a new three-part webinar series on ahcancalED that addresses the extraordinary strains the COVID-19 pandemic has on nursing facility and assisted living residents and staff.

Mass Senior Care’s education programs will continue to be offered virtually for the next several months. Members receive discounted rates on all education programs/webinars, including partnership programs such as Harmony Healthcare.

Updates regarding NHSN weekly COVID-19 vaccination data reporting, reporting possible adverse events post-vaccination to the CDC, FAQs for Chapter 93 Elder Facility Reporters and MassHealth Family Assistance FAQ.

Members are informed HHS Acting Secretary Norris Cochran in a letter to state governors last week signaled that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration will likely remain in place for the entirety of 2021, reminded about December 2020 surveillance payment, invited to register for Mass Senior Care’s educational webinars, and reminded of the DPH weekly call.

Information on DPH updates for discharged residents returning for second COVID-19 vaccination and testing and county positivity rates.

A memo on reporting possible adverse events post-vaccination, President Biden's National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness, Executive Order on protecting worker health and safety, and Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal update.

To assist members in meeting their ongoing workforce needs and complying with the Commonwealth’s newly established staffing standard of 3.58 hours per patient day (HPPD), Mass Senior Care has developed several resources for members to consider when recruiting and retaining CNAs, nurses, and Resident Care Assistants (RCAs). These resources offer best practices Mass Senior Care has learned from other long term care provider members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deadline to submit an AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award application is quickly approaching! All applications and payments must be received by 8 pm Eastern on January 28, 2021.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) has implemented a new Determination of Need (DoN) Program Listserv. To subscribe to the listserv, copy and paste the following link into your preferred browser: https://www.mass.gov/don/listserv-enroll. Subscribing to this new email list will ensure your facility is kept up-to-date with DoN Program news and updates.

Mass Senior Care’s education programs will continue to be offered virtually for the next several months. Members receive discounted rates on all education programs/webinars, including partnership programs such as Harmony Healthcare. Please click on the links for each program to access the registration program or email lnguyen@maseniorcare.org if you have any questions.

A memorandum on DPH therapeutic guidance for LTC facilities, HHS launch of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal, Mass Senior Care's development of several resources for members to consider when recruiting and retaining CNAs, nurses, and Resident Care Assistants (RCAs), DPH Weekly Call, and CMS’ response to follow up questions related to the new COVID-19 ICD-10 Codes and Coding Guidance.

Announcement that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be amending the reporting timeline for the Provider Relief Fund Program (PRF) due to the recent passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.