Member Update: CMS Issues Proposed 2026 Medicare Advantage Program Rule: Includes Measures to Improve Beneficiary Access to Care; Nursing Facility TNS Agency Usage Data Trend; CMS SNF LTC Open Door Forum – December 5; UPDATE: MassHealth MMIS POSC AWS Migration DELAY

We are grateful for your support and your extraordinary dedication to providing compassionate care to the older adults and individuals with disabilities who live in our skilled nursing facilities.

Through a collaboration with the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), the Center of Health for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) is here to better equip nursing facility staff with the knowledge and techniques needed to work with residents who have mental health and substance use conditions.

The next CMS SNF Long Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum is scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).

As a reminder, per 105 CMR 150.000 Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities, all health care personnel (HCP) must be up to date with the most current COVID-19 vaccine no later than December 31, 2024, unless the HCP is exempt from vaccination.

CMS has updated certain Medicare beneficiary non-coverage notice forms that apply to both Medicare Fee-for-Service and Medicare Advantage covered beneficiaries. These forms will become effective January 1, 2025.

On November 21, 2024, Mass Senior Care member Oriol Health Care marked a significant milestone, celebrating 60 years of exceptional service and commitment to the health and well-being of the Wachusett region and beyond.

Please join us on Tuesday, December 3rd, in supporting the Mass Senior Care Foundation’s mission to promote workforce quality and to provide our compassionate caregivers with scholarships as they pursue advanced training and higher education.

At Mass Senior Care’s November 14th Annual Meeting in Southbridge, a standing room only crowd listened to remarks from Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner, Dr. Robbie Goldstein, MSCA Board of Directors Chair, Tom Lavallee, former New England Patriot Joe Andruzzi, and MSCA President Tara Gregorio.