E-News Update Articles

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Posts Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results on Nursing Home Compare Date: June 5, 2020 CMS Posts Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results on Nursing Home Compare Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the first set of COVID-19 nursing home data on its Nursing Home Compare website. Nursing homes are required to report COVID-19 cases and deaths directly to

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes the need to adjust requirements for long-term care facilities as they face extraordinary difficulties during the COVID-19 crisis. Through various waivers, CMS is making it easier for you to continue providing excellent care while managing new challenges in the face of the ongoing pandemic. The safety of your patients and staff remains a top concern which is why CMS has instituted the 1135 Fire Drill Waiver for Specific Life Safety Code

Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar, Role of the PPE Coach, on June 5, 2020 at 1:00 pm as we review the role of the PPE Coach and how to incorporate this role in process surveillance for proper PPE use. In addition, this program will outline the daily responsibilities, and the importance of the PPE Coach in the ongoing training and education of staff. Presenters: Susan LaGrange, RN, BSN, NHA, CDONA™, FACDONA, CIMT, IP-BC™ Director of Education Pathway Health Lisa

The Department of Family and Medical Leave has announced a hearing scheduled to discuss the revised regulations for June 11th. Since there are still limitations on the number of people allowed at a gathering, the Department will not be holding any in- person hearings. The Department will, therefore, be conducting one WebEx hearing on June 11th at 10 a.m.

Nursing facilities are facing an unprecedented workforce and financial crisis that is being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mass Senior Care Board of Directors voted in February 2020 to support the Nursing Home Ballot Initiative which would allow voters to create a permanent and critical law requiring the state to adequately fund and support nursing home care.

Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar, Solution to Frontline Staffing Shortages: Resident Care Assistants (RCAs). Nursing facilities were facing workforce shortages prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now more than ever members need innovative workforce solutions to provide additional staffing support in order to meet residents' needs. This webinar will highlight the newly recognized role of Resident Care Assistants (RCAs) which can support CNAs and nursing staff in skilled nursing facilities and create a training pipeline to critically needed CNAs

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: DPH Guidance on Training and Supervision Requirements for Nurse Aides and Feeding Assistants; Register for Tomorrow’s Webinar on the Role of the PPE Coach Date: June 4, 2020 DPH Releases Guidance on training and supervision requirements for nurse aides and feeding assistants The Department of Public Health has released guidance on the hiring of nurse aides and the training and supervision of these aides. This guidance

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: Revised Notification Guidelines; Webinar Reminders; EOHHS Updated FAQs Date: June 3, 2020 Revised Notification Guidelines AHCA/NCAL has updated the COVID-19 Reporting and Notification Guidelines for Nursing Homes , according to the new regulations for notifying residents, representatives and families of COVID cases that went into effect on May 8, 2020. These guidelines supplement the information in this detailed summary According to CMS, you must report the total number of

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: June 1 st CMS Memorandum; Register for Workforce Webinar; EOHHS Issues Administrative Bulletin on Baseline Testing Supplemental Payments; Updated Guidance on Proper Use of COVID-19 Waivers Claim Codes and Weekly DPH and CMS Call Reminders Date: June 2, 2020 CMS Releases Memorandum on COVID-19 Survey Activities, CARES Act Funding, Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control deficiencies, and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes On June 1st, CMS

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: Tomorrow (June 3rd) is the deadline to file the Attestation for Medicare FFS Provider Relief Payment Date: June 2, 2020 AHCA has provided the following information related to the June 3 rd attestation deadline in regard to the Medicare FFS Provider Relief Payment. This morning the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services clarified that the June 3 deadline for providers to submit revenue data: Is only for providers who received a

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: REMINDERS: (1) CHIA Weekly Reporting Due TODAY - Monday, June 1 st , and (2) Video Conferencing for Residents Date: June 1, 2020 This is a reminder that the 4 th CHIA Nursing Home Weekly data report is due today, Monday, June 1st. As a condition of MassHealth supplemental funding, nursing facilities are required to comply with this administrative requirement by submitting weekly data updated on the CHIA

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Evening Edition – New Guidance on In-Person Visitations; Update on National Guard Testing; Tablet Donation Survey Date: June 1, 2020 Guidance on Limitations on Visitors in Long-Term Care Facilities during the COVID-19 Outbreak The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) released new guidance permitting long-term care facilities to allow in-person visitation in a designated outdoor visitation space, provided that the long-term care facility implements all of

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: REMINDERS: (1) CHIA Weekly Reporting Due TODAY - Monday, June 1st, and (2) Video Conferencing for Residents Date: June 1, 2020 This is a reminder that the 4th CHIA Nursing Home Weekly data report is due today, Monday, June 1st. As a condition of MassHealth supplemental funding, nursing facilities are required to comply with this administrative requirement by submitting weekly data updated on the CHIA submissions portal. Please

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Video Conferencing Reminder; MassHealth Clinical Audits; Clarification on PPE Guidance Date: May 29, 2020 Reminder: Video Conferencing for Residents Must Be in Place by May 31 st to Meet MassHealth COVID-19 Supplemental Payments Criteria Nursing facilities are required to provide all residents access to regular video conferencing by May 31, 2020, for the purpose of enabling live video communications with family members. It is recommended that

Webinar - Identified areas of non-compliance Massachusetts Nursing Home Infection Control Competency Checklist Audits Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar on May 29, 2020 at 1:00 pm to review the results of the first round of Massachusetts Nursing Home Infection Control Competency Audits and areas identified as requiring improvement. Included in this webinar are tips and recommendations to achieve compliance on the core competency items as well as other as other areas on the Infection Control Competency Checklist. Presenters: Helen

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Technology Requirement for Virtual Visits; Legislature Passes COVID-19 Reporting Bill Date: May 28, 2020 Reminder: Video Conferencing for Residents Must Be in Place by May 31 st to Meet MassHealth COVID-19 Supplemental Payments Criteria To be eligible for the final 3 MassHealth Supplemental Payments in the ‘Up to 50%’ COVID-19 surge program which is providing up to $130 million in additional funding for a 2-month period

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 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.

Nursing facilities are facing an unprecedented workforce and financial crisis that is being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mass Senior Care Board of Directors voted in February 2020 to support the Nursing Home Ballot Initiative which would allow voters to create a permanent and critical law requiring the state to adequately fund and support nursing home care.

The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development issued a notice indicting that criminal enterprises in possession of stolen personal information from earlier national data breaches have been attempting to file large amounts of illegitimate unemployment claims through the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) system.

​​​​​​​Mass Senior Care is pleased to share positive stories which have been included in local and statewide coverage of dedicated caregivers and the incredible stories of recovery from patients. To read all recent positive media coverage, please click here.

The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development issued a notice indicting that criminal enterprises in possession of stolen personal information from earlier national data breaches have been attempting to file large amounts of illegitimate unemployment claims through the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) system.

The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development issued a notice indicting that criminal enterprises in possession of stolen personal information from earlier national data breaches have been attempting to file large amounts of illegitimate unemployment claims through the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) system.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: Register Now for IC Competency Audit Webinar; Weekly Call Reminders; Deadline Extension for Provider Relief Funds; Clinical Audit Results Posted Date: May 26, 2020 Register Now for Important Webinar: Identified Areas of Non-Compliance Massachusetts Nursing Home Infection Control Competency Checklist Audits Join us on May 29, 2020 at 1:00 pm as we review the results of the first round of Massachusetts Nursing Home Infection Control Competency Audits and

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Releases FAQ #3 on the Infection Control Competency Checklist; Register Now for Infection Control Webinar Date: May 27, 2020 EOHHS Releases FAQ #3 on the Infection Control Competency Checklist In continued collaboration with Mass Senior Care, EOHHS has released an updated FAQ #3 on the Infection Control Competency Checklist. These FAQs are in response to questions from MA nursing facility directly related to the EOHHS

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members & Nursing Facility Providers From: Tara M. Gregorio, President, Mass Senior Care Association Re: CHIA Weekly Reporting Due Monday, May 25th Date: May 24, 2020 CHIA Weekly Reporting Due Monday, May 25th This is reminder that the 3rd CHIA Nursing Home Weekly data report is due on Monday, May 25th. As a condition of MassHealth supplemental funding, nursing facilities are required to comply with this administrative requirement by submitting weekly data updated on the

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds; Updated PPE Guidance and Filing Deadline Reminder Date: May 22, 2020 HHS Releases $4.9B in COVID-19 Relief for Skilled Nursing Facilities The federal government today announced the distribution of almost $4.9 billion in COVID-19 relief funds directly to skilled nursing facilities, the first specific tranche of stimulus money for the industry released since the start of the pandemic. HHS will make relief

Mass Senior Care is pleased to share positive stories which have been included in local and statewide coverage of dedicated caregivers and the incredible stories of recovery from patients. We encourage members to share their positive posts or stories of recovery on social media with us by tagging @MASeniorCare or using hashtag #NursingHomeHeroes.

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration released guidance aimed at protecting nursing homes and long term care facilities workers from exposure to COVID-19. Many of the recommendations are based on CDC guidance including optimizing PPE, screening workers and sending sick workers home

Nursing facilities are facing unprecedented workforce and financial crises which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mass Senior Care Association’s Board of Director’s voted in February 2020 to support the Nursing Home Ballot Initiative which would allow voters to create a permanent and critical law requiring the state to adequately fund and support nursing home care.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio Re: Reminder: Baseline Testing – CHIA Web Portal is Live for NFs to File Attestation and Complete Data Points Date: May 22, 2020 The COVID-19 Baseline Testing Report is due on Monday, May 25 th by 11:59pm. The CHIA web portal is live for facilities to file their attestation and complete the data points to document completion of the baseline testing requirement. Facilities must test 90% of staff and 90%

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Updated MassHealth FAQ; Stimulus Checks; Reminders for DPH and CMS Calls Date: May 19, 2020 MassHealth Issues Updated FAQ on Accountability and Support for Phase 2 Funding – (1) Baseline Testing (May 25 th ) and Initial Financial Plan (May 21 st ) MassHealth today updated it FAQ MassHealth Nursing Facility COVID-19 Accountability and Support Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – 5-19-2020, which provides updated guidance on

Webinar - Meeting Staff Baseline Testing: How to Prepare for Workforce Disruptions Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar on Wednesday, May 20th from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Meeting Staff Baseline Testing: How to Prepare for Workforce Disruptions. Nursing facilities across the Commonwealth are preparing to meet the staff and resident baseline testing requirement by the May 25th deadline. This webinar will provide an overview of workforce resources available and what nursing facilities can do to meet their workforce demands during

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations; Compliance Filing Deadline Reminders Date: May 20, 2020 CMS Issues Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations for State and Local Officials On May 18, CMS provided recommendations on a nursing home phased reopening for states. The recommendations cover the following items: Recommendations for testing residents and staff Dedicated space for cohorting residents with COVID-19 Criteria for relaxing certain restrictions and mitigating the risk

Temporary Nursing Agencies - Mass Senior Care Associate Members During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mass Senior Care members are encouraged to find long term care products, supplies and services through our list of Associate Members/Preferred Vendors. To assist members with workforce disruptions, below is a list of Mass Senior Care Associate Members which provide temporary nursing services: connectRN connectRN is here to help our partners in the long term care sector during the COVID-19 crisis. Through our technology and advanced outreach

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: MassHealth Phase 2 Supplemental Payments; Register for May 20 th Webinar on Managing Possible Workforce Disruptions; Occupational Exposure & Return to Work Guidance Date: May 18, 2020 MassHealth Phase 2 Supplemental Payments: (1) Initial Plan Filing Deadline May 21 st and (2) Baseline Testing by May 25 th with Attestation As a reminder to members, the MassHealth Phase 2 Medicaid Supplemental funding for May and June

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members and Nursing Facility Providers From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: MassHealth Phase 2 Supplemental Payments Filing Deadlines and EOHHS Webinar PPT Date: May 17, 2020 As a reminder to members, the MassHealth Phase 2 Medicaid Supplemental funding for May and June requires compliance with accountability rules, as listed below. We are also including a copy of the EOHHS presentation on last Friday's Mass Senior Care webinar on accountability, staffing, testing and reporting. Initial Financial

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: Updated Instructions for CHIA Nursing Facility Reporting Weekly Data – Next Weekly Report Due Monday, May 18 at 11:59 pm Date: May 16, 2020 The Centers for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) has issued an UPDATED Data Submission Guide for the Weekly Reporting pursuant to MassHealth Provider Bulletin 145. The next weekly report is due on Monday, May 18 at 11:59pm. Please note the following changes

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M Gregorio, President Re: Preparing for Next Infection Control Competency Checklist Audit Date: May 16, 2020 In effort to help nursing facilities to meet the core elements of the MassHealth Infection Control Competency Checklist, we are providing the following information which we urge you to review carefully as you prepare for your facility’s next Infection Control Competency Checklist audit: EOHHS FAQ #2 on the Infection Control Competency Checklist (May 15th); EOHHS FAQ

Expense Tracking Tips and Other Key Insights for Economic Relief Fund Recipients Friday, May 15, 2020 11 a.m. – noon CT Infection Control Focused Surveys and the Impact on Senior Living Reimbursements Thursday, May 21, 2020 1 – 2 p.m. CT

On May 11, 2020 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma penned a letter to nursing home management and staff.

Nursing facilities across the Commonwealth are getting creative with new ways to celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) while keeping residents and patients safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. Mass Senior Care is pleased to share these positive stories during NSNCW which have been included in local and statewide coverage of dedicated caregivers and the incredible stories of recovery from patients.

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.

Since the restrictions on visitation were enacted in early March, there has been an outpouring of support and encouragement for residents and staff from family members and communities across the state. We are pleased to share several opportunities for resident engagement and encourage you to contact the individuals/organizations listed below.

Attorney General Maura Healey and Massachusetts Senior Care have partnered to supply 730 tablets to nursing home residents across the state to facilitate face-to-face communication with their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Webinar: Optimizing and Overseeing PPE in the Long Term Care Facility Obtaining, training and managing PPE during the COVID-19 Pandemic provides unique challenges for the provision of safe care for both employees and residents. There is no magic wand for perfection, however, this informational webinar will provide strategies for organizations when navigating needs and guidance during a national emergency. Objectives: Upon completion of this presentation, attendees should be able to: 1. Identify the importance of understanding facility supply needs for

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 April 2020.

Responding to COVID-19 in Nursing Homes – This guidance is intended to assist nursing homes and public health authorities with response and cohorting decisions in nursing homes. This guidance supplements but does not replace recommendations included in the Interim Additional Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 in Nursing Homes. Testing for COVID-19 in Nursing Homes – Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents and healthcare personnel in nursing

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh shares a heartfelt video message to the residents and staff who live and work in Massachusetts skilled nursing facilities and assisted living residences.

Register Now for Two Important Webinars on Friday,May 15th