E-News Update Articles

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.

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

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’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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar has extended the public health emergency (PHE) due to COVID-19 effective January 21. The PHE is issued in 90-day increments and is slated to expire in April 2021.

The DPH County Positivity Rate Weekly Report released on January 13, 2021 has identified Bristol, Essex, Hampden and Plymouth counties with a >10% positivity rate.

Mass Senior Care has developed A Guidebook: Building a CNA Talent Pipeline to support the efforts of nursing facility members to build CNA talent pipelines through developing facility-based training programs that use asynchronous instruction platforms and/or partnering with local CNA training providers. These pipeline strategies will enable facilities to expand career opportunities through training Resident Care Assistants (RCAs), Hospitality Aides or other entry-level staff to become CNAs.

As a way of thanking nursing home workers for their extraordinary efforts during the pandemic, the Masconomet Red Cross Club raised $350 from students and parents to buy PPE for distribution to nursing facilities. The student club, based at Masconomet High School in Boxford, recently delivered masks, gloves, face shields and hand sanitizer to Mass Senior Care which will send it to facilities in need. We are very grateful for the efforts of the Masconomet Red Cross Club and appreciate their thoughtful gesture.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering two on-demand web-based training courses for Post-Acute Care Providers (Home Health Agencies (HHAs), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs), Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs), and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs).

On January 1, 2021, employees in Massachusetts may begin to apply for and receive paid leave under the state's new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law. Employers are likely to have new responsibilities under the PFML law. Visit the Department of Family and Medical Leave website to learn more about employers’ responsibility.

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.

Mass Senior Care Association’s weekly E-News Update and member communications are a benefit of your membership. To access Members Only content on www.maseniorcare.org, please log-in using your e-mail address and password. To reset your password, please click here. You will receive an email with instructions to reset your password. If you need help with accessing your member profile, please contact Loan Nguyen at info@maseniorcare.org or call the MSCA office at 617-558-0202.

CMS Administrator Seema Verma has announced that the agency has withdrawn the proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule (MFAR) which would have had a devastating budgetary impact on states, including Massachusetts.

Information is provided to members on therapeutic guidance for long-term care facilities and CVS consent forms in multiple languages.

Updates provided on Mass Senior Care's A Guidebook: Building a CNA Talent Pipeline, EOHHS discharge resources and guidelines for hospitals and the DPH weekly call.

This memorandum shares information on the SBA Payroll Protection Program, invites members to join CMS and CDC for a fireside chat on vaccine safety on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 4:00 pm ET and also discusses MassHealth updates to LTC eligibility application form (SACA-2).

Discussion on AG Healey advisory on stimulus payment, important change to NHSN point-of-care test reporting requirement, OSHA required 2020 injury and illness data due March 2, and HHS extention of public health emergency.

Now that we are nearing the end of the second week of the federal vaccination clinic rollout, nearly 320 facilities have successfully completed their first clinics and are reporting that these highly anticipated events are running smoothly. CVS and Walgreens have been conducting the clinics for both residents and staff and anticipate having all clinics completed by January 25, 2021.

Recent updates regarding COVID-19 include: COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs, State’s COVID-19 Staffing Portal 3.0, COVID-19 Vaccination Criteria, CMS Updated Guidance on Focused Infection Control Surveys, and Update to Comprehensive PPE Guidance

A reminder to members that CHIA data submissions are due tomorrow and an announcement about a new round of PPP funding.

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.

Members are invited to join today’s COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Session with CMS and CDC, provided information on CMS revised criteria for conducting focused infection control surveys and survey FAQs, update to comprehensive PPE guidance, and clarification on reporting of BinaxNOW POC test results.

Information provided on the MassHealth Nursing Facility Bulletin 159 which updates the conditions for participating in the new targeted Isolation Space program, COVID-19 Long-Term Care Staffing Portal 3.0, COVID-19 Vaccination Criteria, and DPH Weekly Call new participant code.

Members are reminded the DPH Skilled Nursing Facilities Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Survey is due tomorrow, and updated on MassHealth Nursing Facility Bulletin 158: Updated COVID-19 Ongoing Surveillance Testing Requirements for Nursing Facilities which supersedes MassHealth Nursing Facility Bulletin 152.

Mass Senior Care is making resources available in its COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit accessible to staff by providing materials in four different languages, including Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Traditional Chinese. All of the resources, including posters, a template letter to staff and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be accessed and downloaded from our COVID-19 Vaccination webpage, https://www.maseniorcare.org/covid-vaccine.

Amidst celebratory backdrops, on December 28th more than 30 nursing facilities in Massachusetts began vaccinating residents and staff with the COVID-19 vaccine, offering a sign of hope to facilities that have courageously battled this insidious virus over the past 10 months. “Today marks a critical and hopeful milestone in our fight against Covid-19 with the first wave of vaccines being distributed in nursing facilities across the Commonwealth,” said Tara M. Gregorio, Mass Senior Care Association President.

The National Health Care Safety Network (NHSN) has reported that there is an error occurring with data upload to the NHSN Long Term Care Facility modules. This has to do with an incorrect auto-populated date error. The ​CDC is urgently working to correct the NHSN application error that is impacting reporting COVID-19 data since December 26, 2020. When entering weekly COVID-19 data for the week of December 21-27, the pre-populated date for the week indicates that the week ends on December 27, 2021, instead of December 27, 2020. When trying to save data, the system generates an error message and will not allow facilities to save their data. A solution will be deployed in the NHSN application later this week, but until then a work-around can be used to continue reporting COVID-19 vaccination data.

The Massachusetts Congressional Delegation this week sent a letter, led by Congresswoman Lori Trahan, to the Director of the CDC requesting that the CDC approve the Commonwealth’s request to offer four vaccination clinics at long-term care facilities in Massachusetts through the Long-Term Care Pharmacy Partnership Program.

Happy New Year Best Wishes for a Happy Healthy 2021! From Mass Senior Care