Member Resources

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: PPE Webinar for Ancillary Staff; Interim Financial Report Reminder; Weekly Call Reminders Date: June 15, 2020 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use for Ancillary Staff and Cleaning and Disinfection The Mass Senior Care Long Term Care Command Center continues to provide infection control assistance to nursing facilities and has developed a recorded webinar, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use for Ancillary Staff and Cleaning and Disinfection. This webinar

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Reminder on Use of COVID-19 Stimulus Funds Date: June 13, 2020 CMS Issues Press Release on Nursing Home Residents’ Right to Retain Federal Economic Incentive Payments While acknowledging that CMS has not received any specific complaints regarding an improper use of the COVID-19 stimulus funds, the agency this week issued a press release noting that it is important for residents and families to know their rights

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Interim Financial Report Action Needed by June 19 th ; CMS Issuing Citations Related to NHSN Reporting Requirements Date: June 11, 2020 Interim Financial Report – Facilities Need to Designate Individual(s) Who Will Be Filing Report – Registration Required by June 19 th Nursing facilities are required to file an Interim Financial Report by June 30 th with EOHHS to account for the manner in which

The Massachusetts Senior Care Association looks forward to celebrating National Nursing Assistants Week which kicks off on Thursday, June 18th. This annual celebration is an opportune time to formally recognize and acknowledge the valuable contributions made by members of your staff every day—especially the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who provide quality care to residents. We are pleased to again make available FREE Certificates of Appreciation to distribute to your CNAs.

During this COCA call, presenters will use case-based scenarios to discuss how to apply infection prevention and control guidance for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that are preparing for and responding to COVID-19.

Today at 1:30 p.m., staff and caregivers of long term care facilities joined Massachusetts Senior Care Association and healthcare colleagues across the state in a collective moment of silence and reflection on the tragic and senseless death of Mr. George Floyd, and others like it. We believe all individuals and organizations should come together to lift our collective voices in calling for healing, justice, unity, and change.

Nursing facilities are facing an unprecedented workforce and financial crisis that is being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mass Senior Care Board of Directors voted in February 2020 to support the Nursing Home Ballot Initiative which would allow voters to create a permanent and critical law requiring the state to adequately fund and support nursing home care.

Memorandum To: MSCA Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS COVID-19 Focused Surveys; Last Day to Schedule National Guard for Testing Date: June 10, 2020 CMS COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes On June 1, 2020 CMS released guidance to State Survey Agencies on the completion of Focused Infection Control Nursing Home Surveys and additional COVID-19 survey activities. In addition, CMS released the following survey documents related to these surveys: Summary Table of COVID-19 Focused Survey COVID-19

Along with the rest of the country, we were shocked by the tragic and senseless death of Mr. George Floyd. As we listen, learn and reflect on this tragedy, and others like it, we believe all individuals and organizations should use this moment to come together to lift our collective voices in calling for healing, justice, unity and change. Leaders of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association and other organizations are joining together in observing an outdoor moment of silence and reflection at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11th.

Governor Baker yesterday signed into law An Act Addressing COVID-19 Data Collection and Disparities in Treatment, which directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to compile data each day on the COVID-19 outbreak from local boards of health and any entities over which it has regulatory authority including nursing facilities and long term care facilities licensed under DPH.

Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar, Solution to Frontline Staffing Shortages: Resident Care Assistants (RCAs). Nursing facilities were facing workforce shortages prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now more than ever members need innovative workforce solutions to provide additional staffing support in order to meet residents' needs. This webinar will highlight the newly recognized role of Resident Care Assistants (RCAs) which can support CNAs and nursing staff in skilled nursing facilities and create a training pipeline to critically needed CNAs

Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar, Role of the PPE Coach, on June 5, 2020 at 1:00 pm as we review the role of the PPE Coach and how to incorporate this role in process surveillance for proper PPE use. In addition, this program will outline the daily responsibilities, and the importance of the PPE Coach in the ongoing training and education of staff. Presenters: Susan LaGrange, RN, BSN, NHA, CDONA™, FACDONA, CIMT, IP-BC™ Director of Education Pathway Health Lisa

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Posts Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results on Nursing Home Compare Date: June 5, 2020 CMS Posts Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results on Nursing Home Compare Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the first set of COVID-19 nursing home data on its Nursing Home Compare website. Nursing homes are required to report COVID-19 cases and deaths directly to

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Posts Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results on Nursing Home Compare Date: June 5, 2020 CMS Posts Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results on Nursing Home Compare Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the first set of COVID-19 nursing home data on its Nursing Home Compare website. Nursing homes are required to report COVID-19 cases and deaths directly to

The Department of Family and Medical Leave has announced a hearing scheduled to discuss the revised regulations for June 11th. Since there are still limitations on the number of people allowed at a gathering, the Department will not be holding any in- person hearings. The Department will, therefore, be conducting one WebEx hearing on June 11th at 10 a.m.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes the need to adjust requirements for long-term care facilities as they face extraordinary difficulties during the COVID-19 crisis. Through various waivers, CMS is making it easier for you to continue providing excellent care while managing new challenges in the face of the ongoing pandemic. The safety of your patients and staff remains a top concern which is why CMS has instituted the 1135 Fire Drill Waiver for Specific Life Safety Code

Due to the current restrictions on public gatherings related to the COVID-19 public health crisis, Mass Senior Care Association is cancelling our Spring Conference & Trade Show scheduled for June 16th at the DCU Center in Worcester. Our first priority is to help maintain the health and safety of our staff and residents and we all look forward to the day when we can gather together to shake a hand, give a hug and connect with colleagues live and in person!

Nursing facilities are facing an unprecedented workforce and financial crisis that is being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mass Senior Care Board of Directors voted in February 2020 to support the Nursing Home Ballot Initiative which would allow voters to create a permanent and critical law requiring the state to adequately fund and support nursing home care.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: DPH Guidance on Training and Supervision Requirements for Nurse Aides and Feeding Assistants; Register for Tomorrow’s Webinar on the Role of the PPE Coach Date: June 4, 2020 DPH Releases Guidance on training and supervision requirements for nurse aides and feeding assistants The Department of Public Health has released guidance on the hiring of nurse aides and the training and supervision of these aides. This guidance

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: Revised Notification Guidelines; Webinar Reminders; EOHHS Updated FAQs Date: June 3, 2020 Revised Notification Guidelines AHCA/NCAL has updated the COVID-19 Reporting and Notification Guidelines for Nursing Homes , according to the new regulations for notifying residents, representatives and families of COVID cases that went into effect on May 8, 2020. These guidelines supplement the information in this detailed summary According to CMS, you must report the total number of

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: Tomorrow (June 3rd) is the deadline to file the Attestation for Medicare FFS Provider Relief Payment Date: June 2, 2020 AHCA has provided the following information related to the June 3 rd attestation deadline in regard to the Medicare FFS Provider Relief Payment. This morning the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services clarified that the June 3 deadline for providers to submit revenue data: Is only for providers who received a

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: June 1 st CMS Memorandum; Register for Workforce Webinar; EOHHS Issues Administrative Bulletin on Baseline Testing Supplemental Payments; Updated Guidance on Proper Use of COVID-19 Waivers Claim Codes and Weekly DPH and CMS Call Reminders Date: June 2, 2020 CMS Releases Memorandum on COVID-19 Survey Activities, CARES Act Funding, Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control deficiencies, and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes On June 1st, CMS

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Evening Edition – New Guidance on In-Person Visitations; Update on National Guard Testing; Tablet Donation Survey Date: June 1, 2020 Guidance on Limitations on Visitors in Long-Term Care Facilities during the COVID-19 Outbreak The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) released new guidance permitting long-term care facilities to allow in-person visitation in a designated outdoor visitation space, provided that the long-term care facility implements all of

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: REMINDERS: (1) CHIA Weekly Reporting Due TODAY - Monday, June 1 st , and (2) Video Conferencing for Residents Date: June 1, 2020 This is a reminder that the 4 th CHIA Nursing Home Weekly data report is due today, Monday, June 1st. As a condition of MassHealth supplemental funding, nursing facilities are required to comply with this administrative requirement by submitting weekly data updated on the CHIA

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: REMINDERS: (1) CHIA Weekly Reporting Due TODAY - Monday, June 1st, and (2) Video Conferencing for Residents Date: June 1, 2020 This is a reminder that the 4th CHIA Nursing Home Weekly data report is due today, Monday, June 1st. As a condition of MassHealth supplemental funding, nursing facilities are required to comply with this administrative requirement by submitting weekly data updated on the CHIA submissions portal. Please

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Video Conferencing Reminder; MassHealth Clinical Audits; Clarification on PPE Guidance Date: May 29, 2020 Reminder: Video Conferencing for Residents Must Be in Place by May 31 st to Meet MassHealth COVID-19 Supplemental Payments Criteria Nursing facilities are required to provide all residents access to regular video conferencing by May 31, 2020, for the purpose of enabling live video communications with family members. It is recommended that

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Technology Requirement for Virtual Visits; Legislature Passes COVID-19 Reporting Bill Date: May 28, 2020 Reminder: Video Conferencing for Residents Must Be in Place by May 31 st to Meet MassHealth COVID-19 Supplemental Payments Criteria To be eligible for the final 3 MassHealth Supplemental Payments in the ‘Up to 50%’ COVID-19 surge program which is providing up to $130 million in additional funding for a 2-month period

Webinar - Identified areas of non-compliance Massachusetts Nursing Home Infection Control Competency Checklist Audits Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar on May 29, 2020 at 1:00 pm to review the results of the first round of Massachusetts Nursing Home Infection Control Competency Audits and areas identified as requiring improvement. Included in this webinar are tips and recommendations to achieve compliance on the core competency items as well as other as other areas on the Infection Control Competency Checklist. Presenters: Helen

The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development issued a notice indicting that criminal enterprises in possession of stolen personal information from earlier national data breaches have been attempting to file large amounts of illegitimate unemployment claims through the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) system.

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.

The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development issued a notice indicting that criminal enterprises in possession of stolen personal information from earlier national data breaches have been attempting to file large amounts of illegitimate unemployment claims through the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) system.

​​​​​​​Mass Senior Care is pleased to share positive stories which have been included in local and statewide coverage of dedicated caregivers and the incredible stories of recovery from patients. To read all recent positive media coverage, please click here.

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.

The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development issued a notice indicting that criminal enterprises in possession of stolen personal information from earlier national data breaches have been attempting to file large amounts of illegitimate unemployment claims through the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) system.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Releases FAQ #3 on the Infection Control Competency Checklist; Register Now for Infection Control Webinar Date: May 27, 2020 EOHHS Releases FAQ #3 on the Infection Control Competency Checklist In continued collaboration with Mass Senior Care, EOHHS has released an updated FAQ #3 on the Infection Control Competency Checklist. These FAQs are in response to questions from MA nursing facility directly related to the EOHHS

Nursing facilities are facing an unprecedented workforce and financial crisis that is being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mass Senior Care Board of Directors voted in February 2020 to support the Nursing Home Ballot Initiative which would allow voters to create a permanent and critical law requiring the state to adequately fund and support nursing home care.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio Re: Reminder: Baseline Testing – CHIA Web Portal is Live for NFs to File Attestation and Complete Data Points Date: May 22, 2020 The COVID-19 Baseline Testing Report is due on Monday, May 25 th by 11:59pm. The CHIA web portal is live for facilities to file their attestation and complete the data points to document completion of the baseline testing requirement. Facilities must test 90% of staff and 90%

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members & Nursing Facility Providers From: Tara M. Gregorio, President, Mass Senior Care Association Re: CHIA Weekly Reporting Due Monday, May 25th Date: May 24, 2020 CHIA Weekly Reporting Due Monday, May 25th This is reminder that the 3rd CHIA Nursing Home Weekly data report is due on Monday, May 25th. As a condition of MassHealth supplemental funding, nursing facilities are required to comply with this administrative requirement by submitting weekly data updated on the

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: Register Now for IC Competency Audit Webinar; Weekly Call Reminders; Deadline Extension for Provider Relief Funds; Clinical Audit Results Posted Date: May 26, 2020 Register Now for Important Webinar: Identified Areas of Non-Compliance Massachusetts Nursing Home Infection Control Competency Checklist Audits Join us on May 29, 2020 at 1:00 pm as we review the results of the first round of Massachusetts Nursing Home Infection Control Competency Audits and

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds; Updated PPE Guidance and Filing Deadline Reminder Date: May 22, 2020 HHS Releases $4.9B in COVID-19 Relief for Skilled Nursing Facilities The federal government today announced the distribution of almost $4.9 billion in COVID-19 relief funds directly to skilled nursing facilities, the first specific tranche of stimulus money for the industry released since the start of the pandemic. HHS will make relief

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations; Compliance Filing Deadline Reminders Date: May 20, 2020 CMS Issues Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations for State and Local Officials On May 18, CMS provided recommendations on a nursing home phased reopening for states. The recommendations cover the following items: Recommendations for testing residents and staff Dedicated space for cohorting residents with COVID-19 Criteria for relaxing certain restrictions and mitigating the risk

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration released guidance aimed at protecting nursing homes and long term care facilities workers from exposure to COVID-19. Many of the recommendations are based on CDC guidance including optimizing PPE, screening workers and sending sick workers home

Mass Senior Care is pleased to share positive stories which have been included in local and statewide coverage of dedicated caregivers and the incredible stories of recovery from patients. We encourage members to share their positive posts or stories of recovery on social media with us by tagging @MASeniorCare or using hashtag #NursingHomeHeroes.

Nursing facilities are facing unprecedented workforce and financial crises which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mass Senior Care Association’s Board of Director’s voted in February 2020 to support the Nursing Home Ballot Initiative which would allow voters to create a permanent and critical law requiring the state to adequately fund and support nursing home care.

Webinar - Meeting Staff Baseline Testing: How to Prepare for Workforce Disruptions Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar on Wednesday, May 20th from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Meeting Staff Baseline Testing: How to Prepare for Workforce Disruptions. Nursing facilities across the Commonwealth are preparing to meet the staff and resident baseline testing requirement by the May 25th deadline. This webinar will provide an overview of workforce resources available and what nursing facilities can do to meet their workforce demands during

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Updated MassHealth FAQ; Stimulus Checks; Reminders for DPH and CMS Calls Date: May 19, 2020 MassHealth Issues Updated FAQ on Accountability and Support for Phase 2 Funding – (1) Baseline Testing (May 25 th ) and Initial Financial Plan (May 21 st ) MassHealth today updated it FAQ MassHealth Nursing Facility COVID-19 Accountability and Support Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – 5-19-2020, which provides updated guidance on