Yesterday, the DPH shared that effective November 14, 2022, several COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Orders were rescinded. However, please note that although these orders have been rescinded, they have been replaced by longer term and more sustainable updates to statutes and regulations.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has issued an email to provide information on how certain eligible Nursing Facilities can receive reimbursement for trips for MassHealth members traveling to MassHealth covered services.

COVID-19 has exacerbated the mental health needs of frontline healthcare workers who have experienced the pandemic as both a personal crisis and a workplace crisis, having been deemed essential workers.

MassHealth has issued a (1) COVID-19 Preparedness Program Payments Bulletin specifying the criteria for nursing facilities to qualify for a one-time quality improvement supplemental payment in February 2023 and (2) Request for Assistance for Applications (RFAs) regarding a new Nursing Facility Patient Transition Program to facilitate a smooth transition of patients in need of post-acute, short-term care from acute hospital settings.

We are very pleased to announce that Governor Charlie Baker will speak at our November 17th Annual Meeting and we hope you will join us in thanking the Governor for his eight years of dedicated service to the Commonwealth and to helping to protect nursing facility residents and staff.

Mass Senior Care extends its congratulations to Governor-Elect Maura Healey and Lt. Governor-Elect Kim Driscoll on their historic victory in Tuesday’s gubernatorial election.

MassHealth has issued the COVID-19 Preparedness Program Payments Bulletin specifying the criteria for nursing facilities to qualify for a one-time quality improvement supplemental payment in February 2023.

DPH changed its nursing home worker vaccination policy to align with CMS’ requirement that staff receive the initial vaccination series, which virtually all Massachusetts nursing home staff have completed. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) will be holding a conference call for long-term care facilities on Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 a.m. The 2022 Mass Senior Care Annual Meeting & Trade Show is on Thursday, November 17th at the DCU Center in Worcester.