E-News Update Articles

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a finalized version of the State Operations Manual Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities, dated November 22, 2017. This version of Appendix PP replaces the Advance Copy that was released on June 30, 2017. It contains Interpretive Guidance (IG) for all Phase 1 and Phase 2 Requirements of Participation (RoP) and is effective as of November 28, 2017. Corrections and Revisions reflected in the Finalized

On Wednesday, December 13th, Mass Senior Care launched its redesigned website featuring improved functionality for members and enhanced consumer resources. The web address will remain the same, http://www.maseniorcare.org and members will need a user name and password to access Members Only information. If you have questions or need assistance logging in to the Members Only section, please email info@maseniorcare.org or call the office at 617-558-0202.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality (The Bureau) has extended an invitation to its “Strengthening Resident and Family Councils” Stakeholder Presentation on December 21, 2017.

Due to the changes in the Requirements of Participation and the re-organizing and addition of new F tags, and the new survey process, the Department of Public Health has revised the Nursing Home Survey Performance Tool. The Department will hold an informational webinar to update nursing homes on how the changes to the survey process will be incorporated into the Nursing Home Survey Performance Tool, which provides consumers a searchable website to aid them in selecting and evaluating a nursing

Mass Senior Care's recent letter to the editor at The Boston Globe was published in response to the Globe's article, “Nursing facilities, and their residents, will feel impact if Haitians’ status ends.” Tara Gregorio, Association President and Marva Serotkin, Foundation President say the repeal of the TPS designation will only worsen the impact on skilled nursing facilities and their residents who are already experiencing significant staff shortages, “We need to adopt immigration policies that help ensure that we can meet the care needs of our residents today and in the future and provide a living wage for our dedicated front-line staff.”

In an on-going effort to address implementation concerns and opportunities, the Massachusetts Senior Care Association has been meeting regularly over the past several weeks with senior officials at Department of Public Health to collaborate on the roll-out of the new survey process. During these meetings, DPH and Mass Senior Care have discussed many issues.

CMS will host the next National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI on Thursday, December 14 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm ET.

Due to the changes in the Requirements of Participation and the re-organizing and addition of new F tags, and the new survey process, the Department of Public Health has revised the Nursing Home Survey Performance Tool. The Department will hold an informational webinar to update nursing homes on how the changes to the survey process will be incorporated into the Nursing Home Survey Performance Tool, which provides consumers a searchable website to aid them in selecting and evaluating a nursing

The new survey process for long term care facilities developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) went into effect Tuesday, November 28, 2017. The Department of Public Health (DPH or the Department) has developed a new website that features information and training resources, which may assist Massachusetts nursing homes in preparation for these changes to the Long Term Care Survey Process (LTCSP): https://www.mass.gov/service-details/long-term-care-survey-process. Please bookmark this webpage in your Internet browser. This webpage includes the slides from

Effective March 1, 2018, MassHealth will begin offering an expanded selection of health plan options to managed care eligible members. These new options are Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and a key part of MassHealth PCDI. MassHealth will also continue to offer Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and the Primary Care Clinician (PCC) Plan as managed care options.

As a direct result of Mass Senior Care’s member outreach and advocacy campaign over the last year, we are pleased to report that the DPH’s revised proposed long term care regulations, issued yesterday, retain the current construction ‘grandfather’ protection for homes constructed prior to March 19, 1968 and the regulations will also retain the provision permitting resident rooms to accommodate no more than four residents.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its final rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses.

CMS announced a partial delay of Phase II of the Requirements of Participation (RoP) rule late last week. The Survey and Certification Group (S&C) at CMS issued two memos just after the Thanksgiving holiday delaying enforcement provisions of the rule, but were short of a complete delay.

In October, over 450 facility representatives participated in the Department of Public Health (DPH) webinars on the new Long Term Care survey process (LTCSP) for nursing homes developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for implementation beginning November 28, 2017.

On October 2, CMS made a number of problematic changes to billing programming, remittance advice and related guidance associated with QMBs.

Please note that the December 1st meeting of Mass Senior Care Association’s Human Resource Group has been cancelled.

Mass Senior Care brought together long term care professionals from across the state at its 2017 Annual Meeting & Trade Show held at the DCU Center in Worcester on November 9th.

The recording of last month’s webinar: Health Care Personnel Influenza Vaccination for Long Term Care Facilities is now available for viewing.

In response to demand among health care providers for dining and food services staff, JVS CareerSolution is offering a Dining & Food Services in Healthcare Job Fair on Wednesday, January 10th from 1:00-2:30 PM at JVS CareerSolution at 75 Federal Street, 3rd Floor in Boston. For more information and to register for the event, see the attached flyer or visit http://bit.ly/DiningFoodServiceHealthcareJan10. You can also contact Susan Buckey via email sbuckey@careersolution.org or phone (617) 399-3355.

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 October 2017.

On November 8, 2017, the Public Health Council promulgated the proposed revisions to 105 CMR 725.000, Implementation of an Act for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana. This regulation sets forth standards for the medical use of marijuana, the registration of patients, physicians, caregivers, caregiver institutions, and registered marijuana dispensaries (RMDs), and the operation of the RMDs.

CMS has updated and added several Critical Element Pathways that will be used in the new Long-Term Care Survey Process.

The American Health Care Association (AHCA), our national association, is making a special advocacy and research request for members to complete a survey that will allow the BDO Center of Center of Healthcare Excellence & Innovation to conduct a nursing facility and skilled nursing facility margin study.

The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has released draft regulations and an FAQ's - Updates in Employer Health Care Contributions and Experience Rate Schedule Adjustments for 2018 – 2019 regarding the changes that will result from the temporary two-year employer health contribution law that will take effect on January 1, 2018 and expire at the end of calendar year 2019. Please vist DUA's Updates in Employer Health Care Contributions for 2018-2019 for complete information, including the draft regulations and

Learn how the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program will affect Medicare’s payments to your SNF beginning October 1, 2018, as well as details on how CMS will translate SNF performance scores into value-based incentive payments.

The CMS website for long-term care facilities contains several resources for facilities to prepare for the implementation of the Phase II Requirements of Participation and the new survey process which will take effect on November 28, 2017.

On October 27, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued S&C: 18-02-NH Clarification regarding Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP/CEP) Waiver and Appeal Requirements.

Life Care Center at Wilbraham Raises Funds to Support Local Food Pantry Residents at Life Care Center of Wilbraham got into the holiday spirit with their 26th Annual Apple Harvest Festival. Two Mass Senior Care Members Recognized as Top Leaders of Women-Led Organizations in Mass. Resident Artwork on Display At Mass Senior Care Office.

The American Health Care Association (AHCA), our national association, has provided the following information in regard to potential repeal of the Medicare therapy caps.

On October 27, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released S&C: 18-01-NH Revised Policies regarding the Immediate Imposition of Federal Remedies- FOR ACTION. This S&C policy memo replaces previously released S&C: 16-31-NH released July 22, 2016 and the revision on July 29, 2016. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised guidance relating to the Immediate Imposition of Federal Remedies. Other sections of Chapter 7 have been revised to ensure consistency with these revisions. Major

The Brown University Center for Long-Term Care Quality & Innovation Center (Q&I Center), created by AHCA, needs to identify nursing centers that have installed (or are planning to install) a specific kind of LED light. Over the past few years, LED lighting technology has rapidly evolved. New tunable LED lights can be pre-programmed to change in color temperature and intensity over the course of the day and night, similar to the natural cycle of day and night light. Some preliminary

Nine Mass Senior Care members receive AHCA/NCAL's 2017 National Silver – Achievement in Quality Award.

Registration is now open for the DPH webinar on Health Care Personnel Influenza Vaccinations on Tuesday, October 31st from 12 noon to 1 pm. Please click here to register for the webinar. This one-hour webinar will provide up-to-date information and practices for the 2017-2018 flu season.

“Graduating from the BSN Program at Salem State University would make me the first person in my family to ever graduate from a college or university.” The daughter of immigrants, Laura Wheeler is a two-time recipient of a Mass Senior Care Foundation Scholarship, initially in 2008 when her award helped her advance her education and career from a CNA to an LPN at Lighthouse Nursing Care Center. She has since been further promoted at the Center, first to Charge Nurse

CareOne recently hosted a successful fundraiser for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico on October 19 in New York City, raising $4 million. The star-studded event, “Starry Night Masquerade”, was spearheaded by CareOne President and CEO Daniel E. Straus and Executive Vice President Elizabeth Straus, and was in partnership with CareOne’s sister company InnovaCare.

Learn to control the growth and spread of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens; review information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the new surveyor Legionella training webinar. Act now to protect your patients and be in compliance with new CMS requirements. Please click here to access the water management fact sheet; legionella fact sheet; Frequently Asked Questions; From Plumbing to Patients webpage; Surveyor training video.

Last Chance to Register! Join colleagues from across the state at our 2017 Annual Meeting & Trade Show on Thursday, November 9th at the DCU Center in Worcester. This year's theme, "Embracing End of Life Care: New Opportunities to Honor Residents' Choices" will feature a keynote address by Maureen Bisognano, President Emerita and Senior Fellow Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Coalition for Serious Illness Care.

On Monday, the Joint Committee on Public Health and Joint Committee on Elder Affairs held a five-hour long informational hearing on Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases. Ten panels were invited to present testimony to the Committees including officials from the Dept. of Public Health, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Alzheimer’s Association, researchers, individuals and their families living with dementia, and health care providers. Mass Senior Care Association was invited to testify on the impact Alzheimer's disease has on the elder care community. The Association's remarks focused on the sector's efforts to increasingly...

AHCA has developed resources to assist nursing homes with the implementation of the Requirements of Participation (RoPs). These resources include Action Briefs, Tools, recorded Webinars and Presentations, and links to CMS Resources. To access these resources click here ( https://educate.ahcancal.org/required). These resources are free but you must be an AHCA member to access.

In response to a request by Mass Senior Care, MassHealth issued a letter to Senior Care Organizations (SCOs) clarifying that the recently enacted October 1, 2017 Medicaid nursing home rates paid under 101 CMR 206.00/Standard Payments to Nursing Homes specifically include the ‘Direct Care Staff Payment’ as part of the overall reimbursement to facilities.

Learn how the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program will affect Medicare’s payments to your SNF beginning October 1, 2018, as well as details on how CMS will translate SNF performance scores into value-based incentive payments. CMS will also discuss policies finalized in the FY 2018 final rule. This session is scheduled for Thursday, November 16, 2017 from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm ET. A question and answer session follows the presentation; however attendees may email questions in

“My career goal is to be that person who helps better the quality of a person’s life.” Alicia Leo’s interest in pursuing a career as an Occupational Therapist, stemmed from her experience of caring for her grandmother, who faced serious health issues after suffering a fall and developing early onset dementia. Over time she was able to help her beloved “Noni” develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living to optimize the quality of her life. Over the

Medford Rehabilitation & Nursing Center recently held its Annual Community Blood Drive, sponsored by the American Red Cross. There was an overwhelming response from the community with a total of more than 40 units of blood donated. The Staff and the community worked cohesively to make this event a huge success.

A new tool is now available to help hospitals, long-term care facilities, and certain outpatient facilities evaluate their best practices related to high-alert medications, identify opportunities for improvement, and track their experiences over time. Developed by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), the ISMP Medication Safety Self Assessment ® for High-Alert Medications focuses on general high-alert medications and 11 specific medication categories--including opioids, insulin, neuromuscular blocking agents, chemotherapy, and moderate and minimal sedation. Participants who submit assessment findings to

Mass Senior Care will be convening a member meeting for nursing facilities in Greater Springfield/Hampden County on October 24 th at 10:30 a.m. at Wingate at East Longmeadow. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and develop a plan regarding the impact the MGM Springfield casino project will have on staff recruitment and retention. Mass Senior Care is extremely concerned that the casino could have a devastating impact on a nursing facility’s ability to compete for staff. Western Massachusetts

A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Quick Reference Guide is available, including frequently asked questions, information on help desks, and links to additional resources. Visit the SNF QRP Data Submission Deadlines webpage for more information.

Mass Senior Care calls on Governor Baker to immediately implement $7.5 million for critically needed funding for nursing home care. We urge members to continue their tremendous advocacy effort, and to call Governor Baker by participating in the Action Alert. Last week, Mass Senior Care’s Board of Directors sent a letter to Governor Baker requesting the Administration to implement immediately the $7.5 million budget funding authorized by the Legislature on September 28 th as part of a veto override.

CMS's new emergency preparedness requirements become effective November 16th. To help prepare skilled nursing facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid to meet these new requirements, AHCA is pleased to offer a new Emergency & Disaster Preparedness Kit prepared by IlluminAge Communication Partners. The new kit includes three main components: Online Emergency Document Storage and Portal. This service makes it easy and fast to organize, store, and have online/offline emergency access to "must have" documents, such as emergency contact lists, evacuation

Join colleagues from across the state at our 2017 Annual Meeting & Trade Show on Thursday, November 9th at the DCU Center in Worcester. This year's theme, "Embracing End of Life Care: New Opportunities to Honor Residents' Choices" will feature a keynote address by Maureen Bisognano, President Emerita and Senior Fellow Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Co-Chair, Massachusetts Coalition for Serious Illness Care. The afternoon session will include an expert panel presentation on the importance and value of having end of

On October 2, 2017, the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care announced that it met its national goal of reducing the national prevalence of antipsychotic use in long-stay nursing home residents by 30 percent by the end of 2016. It also announced a new goal of a 15 percent reduction by the end of 2019 for long-stay residents in those homes with currently limited reduction rates. Between the end of 2011 (baseline) and the end of quarter one of 2017