E-News Update Articles

As part of the Office of State Auditor’s statutory oversight of the Medicaid program, Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has issued a performance audit of MassHealth’s payments for telehealth adult foster care (AFC) and group adult foster care (GAFC) services to determine whether MassHealth monitored telehealth practices for AFC and GAFC services to ensure compliance with its regulations.

The CDC will host a call on Monday, September 16th, 2024, at 1:00 pm EDT for an overview of the latest respiratory virus vaccination recommendations, testing and treatment guidance, and infection prevention strategies.

The Mass Chapter of ACHCA invites all practicing administrators to attend their listening session, Echoes from Administrators virtually on Thursday, September 26th at 12:15pm for 75 minutes. This session will focus on HCFRS reporting.

Member Update: Legislature Enacts and Sends to Governor Healey the Omnibus Long-Term Care Reform Bill; REMINDER: Test Kits for COVID-19 Outbreaks; REMINDER: MassHealth Announces Important Change in LTC Eligibility Verification Timelines – Will Return to 30 Days Beginning September 2024

The new MAVRIC electronic death registration system will go live on Monday, September 30, 2024. The last day to start a new death record in the current VIP system is Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Mass Senior Care congratulates Brandon Woods of Dartmouth, part of Essex Group Management, for being named this year's Best Rehabilitation Facility by SouthCoast Community Choice Awards.

Mass Senior Care Annual Life Safety Code Workshop Tuesday, October 22, 2024 9:00am – 12:00pm enVision Hotel Mansfield-Foxboro

Over the past month, Massachusetts nursing facilities have seen an uptick in resident COVID-19 cases per CDC NHSN data. Nursing facilities are reminded to remain diligent in their infection control practices to limit the spread of COVID-19 to residents and staff.

Member Update: Legislative Negotiators Reach Agreement in Principle on Long Term Care Omnibus Reform Bill; Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell Announces Settlements with 2 Temporary Nurse Staffing Agencies

On August 22, 2024, the FDA approved and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for updated COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula). The vaccines have been updated to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.

South Cove Manor at Quincy Point hosted an Appreciation Day on Friday, August 23, 2024, to express gratitude and recognize the invaluable contributions of local emergency responders who tirelessly work to keep the South Cove Manor community safe.

Member Update: EOHHS Issues DCC-Q Report for RY24 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024); Updated COVID-19 Vaccines; Healthcare Interpretations Task Force (HITF) Addresses Several Life Safety Issues

Member Update: Informal Dispute Resolution Meeting

MassHealth has announced the formation of a new MassHealth Member Advisory Committee (MAC) to provide advice to MassHealth on topics related to policy development and program implementation to improve quality and access to care for MassHealth members.

A federal judge in Texas earlier this week barred the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Final Non-Compete Rule from taking effect. As previously reported, this non-compete rule was scheduled to go into effect on September 4, 2024.

From Olympic-themed competitions to Pirates of the Caribbean parties, member facilities this summer have hosted many fun and stimulating activities for residents.

Join the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and the MassCyberCenter on September 12th at 10 am for the monthly health care provider cybersecurity call.

As the respiratory virus season nears, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has introduced the "Risk Less. Do More." campaign. This nationwide initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination against flu, COVID-19, and RSV, particularly for those at higher risk, including older adults and long-term care residents.

The 2025 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Intent to Apply (ITA) period is now open! AHCA encourages applicants who plan to apply for a 2025 Quality Award to submit an ITA by logging into the Quality Award Portal before the deadline on November 14, 2024.

Member Update: Governor Healey Announces Preliminary Agreement to Keep Five of Seven Steward Hospitals Open; WellCare Medicare Advantage Provider Will Exit Massachusetts in 2025

On July 30, 2024, EOEA held a virtual meeting to update stakeholders on the progress of transitioning the Commonwealth from the MOLST to the POLST.

The final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.19.1 is now available in the Downloads section on CMS’ MDS 3.0 RAI Manual webpage. It will be effective beginning October 01, 2024.

Member Update: Medicare Provider Enrollment Site Visit Contractor Activity

Join AHCA/NCAL in Orlando, FL from October 6-9 for Delivering Solutions 24! The annual AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo is the premier gathering of long term and post-acute care, and assisted living providers, vendors, and affiliates.

The revised Appendix PP State Operations Manual Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities is now available. The manual revision includes updates to the requirements and interpretive guidance for F 838 Facility Assessment per the Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting Final Rule.

On Monday, August 12, residents from MSCA member facilities, Alliance Health at Marina Bay, and Alliance Health at Maples were treated to a dream flight aboard an open-air, two-seater World War II plane! Six veterans had the opportunity to relive their flying days – it was an exciting and emotional experience for everyone involved.

The revised Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System: Technical Users’ Guide is now available. The revised guide includes changes implemented in July 2024 made to the Staffing Domain star calculations, PDPM Nursing Case-Mix Indexes by Nursing CMG, Ranges for Point Values for Staffing Measures and cut-points for the hospitalization and ED visit quality measures.

At yesterday’s Department of Public Health meeting the Public Health Council (PHC) responded to DPH data on the 2023-2024 Healthcare Personnel COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination in Health Care Facilities. Nursing home vaccination rates lagged other health care providers in the States, which prompted concern from several PHC members arguing that the rates are unjustifiable and disturbing for health care providers, signaling additional action is possible.

Member Update: Test Kits for COVID-19 Outbreaks; 2023-2024 Nursing Home Health Care Personnel Vaccination Rates Lag Compared to other Health Care Entities; CMS Publishes 2025 Rule to Propose Expanded Nursing Home Reporting in NHSN

Member Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Availability; REMINDER: MassHealth Announces Important Change in LTC Eligibility Verification Timelines – Will Return to 30 Days Beginning September 2024

In response to Mass Senior Care’s request to return to the prior 30-day verification process for LTC applications, MassHealth announced it will update its policy and revert to the prior 30-day timeframe to be effective in late September 2024.

We look forward to seeing you at our November 14th Annual Meeting & Trade Show, where you will have opportunities to participate in educational sessions, network with peers, engage with exhibitors to learn about the latest products and services, and earn CEUs. MSCA is thrilled to host this year’s event at the elegantly restored, historic Wellsworth Hotel in Southbridge, MA!

The AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards Intent to Apply and Portal will be opening soon. To support MSCA facility members on the path to success, AHCA/NCAL has prepared a suite of new and enhanced educational materials across all award levels.

The Foundation is accepting applications through tomorrow, Friday, August 9th. Please click here to review the eligibility requirements and required application materials.

Mass Senior Care will once again be offering the AHCA/NCAL Bronze Quality Award workshop to help members better understand how to complete the application from beginning to end with coaching support along the way from expert trainers. Register for the workshop here.

Signature Healthcare announced that Brockton Hospital will begin re-opening its inpatient care services on Tuesday, August 13th, 18 months after a catastrophic electrical fire closed operations.

Mass Senior Care is looking forward to celebrating National Assisted Living Week, happening Sunday, September 8, through Saturday, September 14, 2024!

Mass Senior Care will once again be offering AHCA/NCAL Quality Award workshops to help members better understand how to complete the application from beginning to end with coaching support along the way from expert trainers. If you are considering applying for one of the three Quality Awards, we highly recommend that you register for a workshop.

As a reminder, nursing facilities must update their Facility Assessment (F838) to meet the revised regulations as part of the federal staffing mandate by August 8, 2024.

The Foundation is still accepting applications for its 2024 awards. Please note that the application and all required components must be submitted online at the same time and received by Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation no later than 4:00 pm today, Friday, August 2, 2024.

Member Update: Uptick in COVID-19 Cases and MWRA COVID-19 Wastewater Tracking

Yesterday, the Legislature adjourned formal session leaving unresolved a number of critical initiatives including the over $3 billion Omnibus Economic Development bill, which contained a $50 million Nursing Facility Capital Investment Fund in the House version (H.4804).

Join the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and the MassCyberCenter on August 8th at 10 am for the monthly health care provider cybersecurity call. Representatives of the Commonwealth Fusion Center will provide updates on recent cyber threats and trends. This call will include a presentation on ransomware in health care.

Governor Healey signed into law H.4890, ‘An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency’, which requires employers with more than 25 employees to disclose salary ranges in job postings.

On July 31, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule updating Medicare payment policies and rates for skilled nursing facilities under the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) for fiscal year (FY) 2025.

Earlier this week, Governor Healey signed into law the FY 2025 state budget, totaling $57.8 billion spending, which includes $40 million over the current FY 2024 Medicaid nursing facility budget appropriation to cover resident care and workforce costs.

Member Update: Governor Healey Signs Into Law FY 2025 Budget; Long Term Care Reform Bill Conference Committee Appointed

Member Update: Boston Globe Editorial on LTC Reform Bill; CMS Leadership National Call – August 1

Last week, the Centers for Disease Prevention & Control (CDC) released Updated Recommendations for COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines for 2024-2025.

Late yesterday afternoon, the Senate adopted its version of the Long Term Care Reform Bill, SB2889, An Act Relative to Long Term Care and Assisted Living and in doing so rejected the three MSCA-supported amendments.