E-News Update Articles

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. Associate Members: Convergint Technologies

Effective October 1, 2021, MassHealth will require that nursing facilities complete the additional fields found in sections GG, I, and J of the MDS that are associated with Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) classification for all MassHealth members residing in a nursing facility.

This COVID-19 memo includes the following updates: President Biden Expands Vaccination Requirements for Health Care Settings and DPH Announces a New CNA Testing Provider

The Commonwealth’s nursing facility providers are making significant progress in vaccinating staff and residents against the COVID-19 virus. Massachusetts ranks 4th in the Nation with 79.6% of nursing facility staff fully vaccinated and 12th in the Nation with 90.1% of nursing facility residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Weekly data from National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Nursing Home COVID-19 Vaccination Data Dashboard show Massachusetts consistently leads the Nation in vaccination rates.

The 2021 National Assisted Living Week (NALW) will be observed on September 12-18, 2021 and this year’s theme is “Compassion, Community, Caring". National Assisted Living Week provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding communities to recognize the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Yesterday on the DPH Provider call, Stephen Davis, Deputy Director and Acting Interim Director announced that Prometric LLC has been selected as the vendor to provide CNA certification testing in Massachusetts.

The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that it will require COVID-19 vaccination of staff within all Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities to protect both patients and staff. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicated that emergency regulations requiring vaccinations for nursing home workers will be expanded to include hospitals, dialysis facilities, ambulatory surgical settings, and home health agencies, among others, as a condition for participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

The DPH has released information on implementing a streamlined oversight process for nursing home residents to safely receive hemodialysis in their nursing home. Dialysis facilities and nursing homes can partner to create dialysis spaces within the nursing home. In order to provide dialysis in this manner, the nursing home and dialysis facility must request approval for home dialysis in the nursing home as a special project and demonstrate in their application how they will meet space, staffing, and quality monitoring requirements. Learn more.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) announced that this week the Committee will begin consideration of the Build Back Better Act legislative proposals under the budget reconciliation instructions. On September 9th and 10th, the Committee will mark up measures including nursing home resident protection, universal paid family and medical leave, access to child care and strengthening retirement savings. Learn more.

The DPH next monthly call is scheduled for Thursday, September 23, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. These calls will continue to include members of DPH’s Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality, Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, and Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management. Learn more.

The next DPH monthly call is scheduled for Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

Most nursing home residents will experience the end of their life in the care of nursing home staff, often with the help of a hospice team. Discussions about end-of-life wishes are best to have early on in the person’s admission to the nursing home, before there is a change in condition, so that residents, families, and staff are prepared and unnecessary hospital admissions are avoided.

The Baker-Polito Administration announced plans yesterday to require COVID-19 vaccination for all staff at rest homes, assisted living residences (ALRs), hospice programs, as well as for home care workers (HCWs) providing in-home, direct care services. The plan to expand the vaccine requirement for caregivers is subject to Public Health Council (PHC) approval and is part of the Administration’s continued effort to protect older adults against COVID-19. Last month, the Administration announced a vaccine requirement for employees of skilled nursing facilities.

The 2021 National Assisted Living Week (NALW) is coming up soon! To celebrate, ahcancalED is holding a sale September 8-19 on groundbreaking assisted living educational trainings. This sale features 20 percent off select ahcancalED trainings of interest to assisted living providers when you use promo code ALWEEK when registering.

Governor Charlie Baker has appointed Matthew Salmon, CEO of SALMON Health and Retirement and Mass Senior Care Past Chair, to serve on the Assisted Living Advisory Council (ALAC.)

Mass Senior Care Association is looking forward to our first in-person event – the 2021 Leadership Convention at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster on Cape Cod. Please join us at this premier conference destination that offers a unique forum to exchange ideas, share experiences, earn CEUs and network with long term care professionals. Steven Littlehale is the featured speaker and will present on CMS Five-Star Success: Enhancing Quality Improvement and the Resident Experience.

Discussions on vaccine mandate and exemptions, the Federal COVID-19 Response Team changes in the authorized use of bamlanivimab and etesevimab administered together under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) 094, and reminder to urge Governor Baker to require ALL healthcare and eldercare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Members are updated on temporary nursing licenses and reciprocity, Mass Senior Care comments filed with OSHA in regard to the agency’s COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), published in the Federal Register on June 21, 2021, and asked to join Mass Senior Care in urging Governor Baker to require ALL healthcare and eldercare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Commissioner of Public Health issued an Order authorizing the issuance of temporary licenses for certain providers, and renewal or reactivation of certain temporary licenses, the FDA released a letter ​yesterday alerting health care providers to stop using certain N95 respirators manufactured by one specific company, and Mass Senior Care asks members to join us in urging Governor Baker to require ALL healthcare and eldercare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is sharing the announcement for the upcoming free, virtual X-waiver training for long-term care facility (LTCF) medical director(s) and other prescribers who treat residents at your facility. The training is necessary to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) in 30 or more residents. For those who treat fewer than 30 residents, the training is highly recommended, nonetheless.

Mass Senior Care asks members to join us in urging Governor Baker to require ALL healthcare and eldercare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Last week, The Boston Globe editorial called for Governor Baker to immediately implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all healthcare workers in the state. Take action today!

Reminder the September 30th Provider Relief Fund (PRF) deadline for the first reporting period is quickly approaching, and Mass Senior Care is asking members to join us in urging Governor Baker to require ALL healthcare and eldercare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a letter ​yesterday alerting health care providers to stop using certain N95 respirators manufactured by one specific company, Shanghai Dasheng Health Products Manufacturing Co.

The September 30th Provider Relief Fund (PRF) deadline for the first reporting period is quickly approaching. The PRF Reporting Portal opened on July 1, 2021, for providers who need to report the use of PRF payments in Reporting Period 1. HRSA notes in a recent reporting reminder and new resources announcement, please click to learn more.

MassHealth has issued an email notice today noting that MassHealth Members in a long-term care facility such as a nursing facility, chronic-disease or rehabilitation hospital, or intermediate-care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities, or admitted to a hospital from such facility or hospital, remain excluded from MassHealth copays.

Mass Senior Care asks members to urge Governor Baker to require ALL healthcare and eldercare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, a MassHealth reminder about MassHealth copayments, and nursing homes are invited to attend a National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call hosted by CMS and the CDC on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 4:00pm-4:45pm ET.

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine, and nursing homes are invited to attend a National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call hosted by CMS and the CDC on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 4:00pm-4:45pm ET.

With the recent announcements from Governor Baker and CMS regarding mandating nursing facility employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, Massachusetts Senior Care Association has long supported and continues to advocate for a statewide vaccine mandate for all health care workers.

DPH released guidance on COVID-19 additional dose vaccination for immunocompromised residents. Pursuant to the CDC guidance, it is recommended that long-term care residents with moderate to severe immune compromise receive a third dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, and on Tuesday, August 24th, Mass Senior Care is hosting a webinar, Ask the Experts: Legal Update on the Massachusetts Nursing Home Staff Vaccination Mandate.

Nine Massachusetts skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers serviced by Marquis Health Consulting Services are collecting much-needed supplies for victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti, many of whom were left homeless and bereft. Items, including acetaminophen, gauze, syringes, bandages, bacitracin, cough medicine, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, clothing, and shoes. Learn more at the drop off locations.

Governor Baker today issued an executive order requiring all state employees under his authority to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 17. Mass Senior Care has confirmed this requirement includes nursing facility state surveyors.

CMS officials have announced that all nursing home staff must be vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition of participation in the Medicare and Medicaid program. Additional details are expected to be announced.

Over 50 member long term care providers joined the week-long Massachusetts Virtual Job Fair through the MassHire system. The Baker administration and MassHire Career Centers hosted the virtual job fair to connect jobseekers and employers. The virtual job fair consisted of two general job fairs and three industry-specific job fairs.

MSCA Remembers Robert Neil Sibulkin, Former Owner of Clark Manor Nursing Home We are saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Neil Sibulkin. Robert previously owned and operated Clark Manor Nursing Home in Worcester, Massachusetts. Throughout his life, he volunteered and served on many committees wherever he lived. Please click here for information.

Register now for today’s AHCA webinar on best practices for vaccine mandate, on Tuesday, August 24th, Mass Senior Care is hosting a webinar, Ask the Experts: Legal Update on the Massachusetts Nursing Home Staff Vaccination Mandate, which will cover the recent public health order, related DPH guidance, specified exemptions, potential accommodations, as well as tips and strategies for maintaining documentation and demonstrating compliance, and a reminder that under the American Rescue Plan, certain employers are entitled to tax credits for providing paid leave to employees who take time off related to COVID-19 vaccinations.

As efforts continue to increase staff vaccination rates in long term care, AHCA/NCAL has created new materials to help support long term care providers. Three new handouts cover common questions raised by staff members when considering whether to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Cambridge-based Biobot Analytics has developed wastewater monitoring and testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The test which documents the amount of virus in the wastewater can provide an early warning of potential surges in Covid cases.

Marcum will be hosting a virtual two-part 2021 Long-Term Care Symposium on September 13-14, 2021. Click to get more information and registration.

Governor Baker today issued an executive order requiring all state employees under his authority to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 17.

Mass Senior Care is offering a robust calendar of upcoming educational program to provide long term care staff with the most up-to-date information on clinical, regulatory, financial and legal issues. The programs below are now open for registration, please info@maseniorcare.org if you need additional information.

CMS officials have announced that all nursing home staff must be vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition of participation in the Medicare and Medicaid program, and testing and vaccination mandate reminders.

CHIA updated the Surveillance Testing Reporting Requirements pursuant to the Department of Public Health’s guidance issued on August 4, 2021, Updates to Long-Term Care Surveillance Testing, the DPH has rescinded the Updates for Patients Receiving COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibodies Therapeutic Infusions, Bamlanivimab/Etesevimab and REGEN-COV (Casirimab/Imdevimab), memorandum dated April 13, 2021, effective August 16, 2021, and Mass Senior Care Webinar: Ask the Experts: Legal Update on the Massachusetts Nursing Home Staff Vaccination Mandate

The DPH released updated guidance on Updated COVID-19 Personnel Vaccination Requirement and also released an update to the Comprehensive PPE Guidance, and in an effort to support members with surveillance staff testing, Mass Senior Care has worked with Pro EMS Solutions and The Broad Institute to establish a program for long term care providers to access kits, processing and results.

The DPH has updated COVID-19 guidance for healthcare providers in response to the increasing number of cases and community transmission in Massachusetts, and a reminder the next DPH monthly call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

As our country is once again experiencing an increase in coronavirus cases, it is imperative that we rally together to protect our most vulnerable populations. Please join AHCA/NCAL, LeadingAge, Direct Supply, Argentum, ASHA, and other leading industry leaders and professionals to learn more about the state of the virus from world-renowned medical expert and immunologist Dr. Deborah Birx. During this webinar, ​learn about the current state of this deadly virus and the actions that must be taken to fight against highly contagious COVID-19 variants.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) this week issued a report examining skilled nursing facility (SNF) performance on staffing measures, CMS reporting of staffing information on Care Compare, and Medicare payments for critical incidents. Based on its analysis, GAO recommended that Congress should consider directing the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to implement appropriate payment reductions for SNFs that generate Medicare spending on potentially preventable critical incidents, primarily hospital readmissions occurring within 30 days of the SNF admission

Mass Senior Care Association is pleased to host our first in-person event – the 2021 Leadership Convention at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster on Cape Cod. Please join us at this premier conference destination that offers a unique forum to exchange ideas, share experiences, earn CEUs and network with long term care professionals. The leadership program will be presented by Steven Littlehale, Chief Innovation Officer and Autumn Kerr, Clinical Consultant Quality Initiatives, Zimmet Healthcare Services Group. Steven Littlehale is an internationally known author and speaker on a broad range of health care and post-acute care topics, Steven’s ability to synthesize complex information to inspire strategic and tactical excellence has been the hallmark of his career and has established his renowned reputation as a highly effective and motivating lecturer. Facility Registration is available for facility members only, please click here for the registration form. Sponsorship Opportunities are available for Associate Members only, please click here for sponsorships.

With Governor Baker’s announcement last week mandating that all long term care staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 10th and the new delta variant quickly spreading in the United States, it is more important than ever to increase staff vaccination rates in long term care. To view this AHCA webinar recording on how to boost your staff vaccination rates, please click here. AHCA member login required.

In an effort to improve staffing, quality and oversight of facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, six U.S. senators on the Senate Finance and Aging committee earlier this week filed ‘The Nursing Home Improvement and Accountability Act of 2021.’ The legislation would require nursing homes to meet minimum staffing standards and would provide additional federal Medicaid funds to states to support workforce and care improvements.

Concern over the COVID-19 delta variant and recent outbreaks in long term care facilities has Rhode joining a growing list of states including Connecticut, California, New Jersey, and Washington mandating COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for all long term care workers. Other states including Maryland and Illinois have announced vaccine mandates for state employees working in state-operated congregate living facilities and have encouraged private employers to do the same. In addition to states, major cities including Denver, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. have announced vaccine mandates for all nursing facility workers.