Member Resources

Mass Senior Care Association has joined the Massachusetts Coalition for Elder Economic Security, a newly formed collaborative initiative of 25 organizations including advocates, health and research groups and, community and labor representatives to ensure economic stability and protection for Massachusetts seniors. On June 20 th, the Coalition on Elder Economic Security kicked off a legislative briefing hosted by Senator Barbara L’Italien, the new Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs. The Coalition has reported alarming statistics that show 6

In response to concerns raised by a variety of business groups, health care providers and legislators, on June 20, 2017, Governor Baker proposed a comprehensive Medicaid Reform Plan which would significantly revise his original SFY 2018 budget provision that would have imposed a $2,000 per full time equivalent employee assessment if the employer did not meet certain health insurance contribution and uptake requirements. The Governor’s intent is that this Plan be considered during the ongoing Conference Committee deliberations for the

As noted in our June 19 th e-mail message to members, Mass Senior Care was informed earlier this week by Assistant Secretary for MassHealth Daniel Tsai that the agency will not make any hardship payments for May dates of service under its Cash Management Temporary Payment Delay, because of an unanticipated increase in the SFY 2017 budget shortfall. As you know, MassHealth last month had notified nursing facility providers via a message text that it will delay by approximately two

The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated list, which reflects all OIG exclusions and reinstatement actions up to, and including, those taken in May 2017. This new file is meant to replace the updated LEIE database file available for download last month. Individuals and entities that have been reinstated to the federal health care programs are not included in this file. The updated files are posted on the OIG’s website

On Monday, June 12 th, the ChangingAging Tour made its first of four stops in Massachusetts at JGS Lifecarein Longmeadow. This national tour is led by Dr. Bill Thomas, founder of The Eden Alternative and creator of The Green House®. The sold-out event featured two non-fiction theater performances designed for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Massachusetts Senior Care Association’s 2017 Nursing Facility Employment Survey has been mailed out to Nursing Facility Administrators. Please complete the survey and return it to Mass Senior Care by Friday, June 30, 2017. Mass Senior Care member providers have traditionally used the results of this survey to help them assess their wage and benefit packages. The aggregate survey data also enable us to document the costs associated with staff recruitment and retention, health insurance coverage and other factors as we

In March 2017, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) (Form CMS-R-131) for another three years. The only change to the current form is the new March 2020 expiration date. Starting June 21, 2017, providers are required to use the new form, but they also can begin using it immediately. As background, the ABN - Form CMS-R-131 - is issued by providers (including independent laboratories, home health agencies, and hospices), physicians, practitioners, and suppliers

The Emergency Preparedness Final Rule was released on Friday, September 16, 2016. On June 2, 2017, CMS released the Emergency Preparedness Interpretive Guidance (IG). Mass Senior Care nursing home members are encouraged to look through the interpretive guidance as providers will need to comply with the final rule by November 2017.

As part of the November 2017 Federal 1115 Waiver approval, Governor Baker’s Administration last week announced that it has selected 18 health care organizations across the state to participate in MassHealth’s Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program beginning January 2018. The 18 ACOs, networks of physicians, hospitals and other health care providers will work together to provide integrated health care for their patients with the goals of improving their health and containing costs. These ACOs are expected to cover over 900,000

Earlier this week state legislators voted to place on the 2018 ballot a constitutional amendment to increase taxes on high earners. The amendment would impose an additional tax of 4 percent on annual income of more than $1 million. The amendment, if ratified by voters, is projected to generate $2 billion in new revenue. The Massachusetts Senior Care Association strongly endorsed the legislators’ action. In a letter to legislators prior to the vote, Mass Senior Care Association President Tara Gregorio

The Massachusetts Council of Activity Professionals (MassCAP) is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, June 14th, "Activities: Not Just Fun and Games, A Look At Our Interdisciplinary Role to Resident Care." The workshop will be held at Pines Edge Health Center at North Hill in Needham and is open to all activity professionals. Discounted seminar fees are available for MassCAP members, please click here to view the registration flyer.

Massachusetts Senior Care Association’s 2017 Nursing Facility Employment Survey has been mailed out to Nursing Facility Administrators. Please complete the survey and return it to Mass Senior Care by Friday, June 30, 2017. Mass Senior Care member providers have traditionally used the results of this survey to help them assess their wage and benefit packages. The aggregate survey data also enable us to document the costs associated with staff recruitment and retention, health insurance coverage and other factors as we

On June 2, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion to dismiss the pending preliminary injunction (PI) hearing in AHCA v Price (previously Burwell). It means nursing facilities may continue to use pre-dispute arbitration agreements until the litigation is decided on its merits at the district court. Please click here to read a summary in AHCA’s Provider Magazine.

Hebrew Senior Life and The Boston Home, both members of Mass Senior Care Association, were recently recognized by CareerSTAT for making outstanding investments in the skills and careers of their frontline workers. Hebrew Senior Life encompasses nine campuses caring for 3,000 individuals on a daily basis, has been designated as a Frontline Healthcare Worker Champion for its success in reducing overall employee turnover and increasing employee satisfaction through the integration of recognition programs, tuition assistance and career coaching opportunities. The

Fifteen Mass Senior Care member facilities are being recognized with a 2017 Bronze - Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The award is the first of three distinctions possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, which honors long term and post-acute care providers that have demonstrated their commitment to improving the quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities. “We thank the caregivers and staff for enriching

On May 10, 2017 the Massachusetts Public Health Council approved revisions to the following State regulations: 105 CMR 155.000 Patient and Resident Abuse Prevention, Reporting, Investigation, Penalties and Registry - Changes in 105 CMR 155.000 include more consistency in the terminology and definitions for regulated parties, including “Nurse Aide” and “Registry”; a more predictable and streamlined process for reporting; inclusion of requirements for policies and procedures related to completion of training; and aligning 105 CMR 155.000 with other health care

The SFY 2018 Appropriations Conference Committee held their first meeting on Monday. The Conferees are charged with reconciling the differences between the House of Representatives and Senate's SFY 2018 budget recommendations. The Conferees meet as state revenues for SFY 2017 are down by more than $450 million, which has put added pressure on the SFY 2018 budget. Mass Senior has sent letters to the Conference Committee on the following issues that would impact long term care in the SFY 2018

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a SNF QRP Quality Measure User’s Guide. This manual presents methods used to calculate quality measures that are included in CMS’s Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP). This manual provides detailed information for each quality measure, including quality measure definitions, inclusion and exclusion criteria and measure calculation specifications. View the manual on the SNF Quality Reporting Program Measures and Technical Information webpage in the downloads section.

A patient safety program has helped nursing homes cut rates of urinary tract infections among patients with catheters, according to new results published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality gave funding to more than 400 nursing homes and long-term care facilities to implement a comprehensive safety program developed to reduce infections among patients with catheters. The program includes training for staff on how to care for and remove catheters and how to improve communication with

The presentation for the June 15 th National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI MLN Connects call has been changed. The call will now focus on learning about appropriate assessment and evaluation for the accurate diagnosis of schizophrenia and other mental disorders. Also, find out about the work of the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organizations (QIN-QIOs) and how their efforts align with the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes and Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI)

The majority of patients in LTC settings fall each year and the costs related to medical care and human suffering are prohibitive. A team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Partners HealthCare developed the Fall TIPS (Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety) program for use in acute care hospitals and demonstrated a 25% reduction in falls. The team is now looking for skilled nursing facilities to participate in a fall prevention project that aims to collaborate with skilled nursing staff and

The Massachusetts Council of Activity Professionals (MassCAP) is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, June 14th, "Activities: Not Just Fun and Games, A Look At Our Interdisciplinary Role to Resident Care." The workshop will be held at Pines Edge Health Center at North Hill in Needham and is open to all activity professionals. Discounted seminar fees are available for MassCAP members, please click here to view the registration flyer. For more information about MassCAP, please visit their website at www.themasscap.org.

The Requirements of Participation under 42 CFR 483.10 (g) (4) and (5) Information and Communication require nursing homes to inform residents of their rights including providing them with the name, address (mail and email) and telephone number of the protection and advocacy agency for the state, posting this information within the facility and providing it on the Notice of Intent to Transfer and Discharge. The Disability Law Center which is the protection and advocacy agency of individuals with disabilities in

As the legislature prepares to reconcile the differences in their SFY 2018 budget recommendations, Beacon Hill leaders are working diligently to address an immediate SFY 2017 budget shortfall due to tax revenue shortfalls. Mass Senior Care is urging Governor Baker to avoid cuts in MassHealth funding for nursing home care. The Baker Administration has identified in financial disclosure forms that it now expects tax collections for fiscal 2017, which ends June 30, to fall between $375 million and $575 million

On May 1, 2017 the Massachusetts State Fire Marshall issued a Memorandum that in accordance with 780 CMR 1008.1 and 527 CMR 1.00: 14.4.2.1 egress doors must not be obscured by decorations, mirrors, or other means of concealment or disguise. Egress doors must be readily distinguishable from the adjacent construction and finishes and must be easily recognizable as doors. Joanne Murphy, DPH LSC Unit Supervisor confirmed that in both the 2012 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and 105CMR 150.000 that

At the May 10, 2017 Board of Registration in Nursing (Board) meeting, the Board revised Advisory Ruling (AR) 0901: Management of Pain to ensure compliance with current statutes, regulations and scope of practice standards. The AR guides the practice of the LPN, RN and APRN in promoting patient access to appropriate, therapeutic and effective assessment, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic pain; improving communication about benefits and risks of long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain; promote safe, effective multimodal

Webster Park Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, a member of Marquis Health Services and Mass Senior Care Association, recently unveiled the completion of an $8 million expansion and renovation – a transformational project that brings a dedicated, modernized Post-Acute Care Unit (PACU), an advanced therapy gym, and enhanced cardiac and pulmonary care services to the South Shore community. The new, 12,500-square-foot sub-acute care unit includes 23 beds in 11 private rooms and six semi-private rooms. The renovation added a 2,300-square-foot therapy

Nursing facilities across the Commonwealth celebrated National Nursing Home Week, which recognizes the role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities. This year’s theme, “ The Spirit of America,” honored the bond shared among staff and residents through special events and activities that capture the American spirit. For additional photos, please visit Mass Senior Care’s Facebook. Residents renewed their wedding vows at Queen Anne Nursing Home in Hingham Michael and Mary Corrente celebrating

MassHealth has issued two documents providing additional information on its MassHealth Third Party Administrator (TPA) Vendor for Long Term Services and Supports(LTSS) Fee-for-Service (FFS) Program: • MassHealth All Provider Bulletin 270 (May 2018) - Third-Party Administrator Implementation for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) • MassHealth Long-Term Services and Supports Third-Party Administrator FAQ Effective May 31, 2017, the MassHealth LTSS Provider Service Center will begin answering phone calls and LTSS provider questions, including resolving issues with claims submission, conducting provider enrollment

On May 22, 2017 the Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly announced his decision to extend—for an additional six months—the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haiti. This extension is effective July 23, 2017 through January 22, 2018. The agency’s press release indicates that this extension may end after six months as it states that “The Department of Homeland Security urges Haitian TPS recipients who do not have another immigration status to use the time before Jan. 22, 2018

As a reminder, MassHealth has notified nursing facility providers via a message text that it will delay by approximately two weeks processing nursing facility claims for May 2017 dates of service. This effectively means that nursing facility payment for May 2017 claims received by MassHealth in May or June will be pushed from late June to July 10, 2017. As you may recall, MassHealth has applied this temporary cash management delay for the last seven fiscal years. As in the

The state Senate completed its version of the State Fiscal Year 2018 (SFY 2018) budget late Thursday evening. We are pleased to report that Senator Bruce Tarr’s amendment providing statutory protection for residents living in skilled nursing facilities built before 1968 and residents living in rooms with more than two roommates was adopted. The amendment passed on a voice vote and had widespread bi-partisan support. Senators Tarr and Julian Cyr spoke on the floor in support of the amendment and

The Massachusetts Council of Activity Professionals (MassCAP) is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, June 14th, "Activities: Not Just Fun and Games, A Look At Our Interdisciplinary Role to Resident Care." The workshop will be held at Pines Edge Health Center at North Hill in Needham and is open to all activity professionals. Discounted seminar fees are available for MassCAP members, please click here to view the registration flyer. For more information about MassCAP, please visit their website at www.themasscap.org.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to welcome our new Associate Members. 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. Facility Member: Savoy Nursing and Rehab Center, of New Bedford, MA, a 39 bed skilled nursing facility. Contact

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has released a Situation Awareness Alert on the drug Carfentanil. Massachusetts does not currently have any reported cases, but the Situation Awareness Alert is being distributed by DPH due to the significant safety risk Carfentanil poses to the public, healthcare providers, and emergency response personnel. Included in this Alert is an overview of the drug and its current impact in the New England region, as well as treatment and response guidance and resources. In

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week issued a notice extending the reporting deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting (QRP) Federal Fiscal Year 2018 payment determination from May 15, 2017 to June 1, 2017, due to extenuating circumstances. The MDS assessment data for October-December (Q4) of calendar year 2016 are due with this submission deadline. In addition, the CMS contractor (CORMAC) or the QTSO help desk sent notices last week to many SNF providers that

Mass Senior Care President Tara Gregorio has sent a letter to the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security regarding the potential elimination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the estimated 4,300 Haitians affected by Haiti’s 2010 earthquake who are currently living and working in Massachusetts under this program. Gregorio requested that the Department extend the designation of Haiti for TPS for at least an additional 18 months. The TPS is scheduled to end on July 22, 2017. The Secretary has

Earlier this week a number of Mass Senior Care members today informed us that their MassHealth remittance advice for April 2017 dates of service indicated that some portion or all of their billed claims were being pended and would not be paid next Monday, May 22nd. We raised this issue with MassHealth and MassHealth indicated that this resulted from a glitch in the claims processing system for April 2017 dates of service and that it would re-run the payroll to

Mass Senior Care has received notification from several of our members that during both Standard and Complaint surveys, facilities are being cited for failing to report alleged violations involving abuse, neglect or mistreatment, including injuries of unknown source and misappropriation of resident property, immediately, but not later than 2 hours after the allegation is made, if the events that cause the allegation involve abuse or result in serious bodily injury. These citations are specifically for “not reporting within 2 hours”

MassHealth has notified nursing facility providers via a message text that it will delay by approximately two weeks processing nursing facility claims for May 2017 dates of service. This effectively means that nursing facility payment for May 2017 claims received by MassHealth in May or June will be pushed from late June to July 10, 2017. As you may recall, MassHealth has applied this temporary cash management delay for the last seven fiscal years. As in the past, MassHealth has

On May 16th, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its state FY 2018 budget recommendation. The Committee’s recommendation includes level funding for the current year $35.5 million direct care add on and would establish a temporary employer health contribution that would generate $180 million, while providing the Governor’s Administration broad authority to execute the program including allowing an exception for nursing facilities. We urge members to continue participating in the Legislative Action Alert asking their senators to co-sponsor

Mass Senior Care’s Human Resource Committee will meet on Friday, June 2 nd from 10 am – 12 noon at the Educational Bridge Center on the Notre Dame campus in Worcester. Please click here for directions and parking instructions. Meeting Agenda: Introductions/Announcements Update on Mass Senior Care’s 2017 Legislative Agenda Featured presentations on strategies that have positively impacted the recruitment, retention and professional development of CNAs. Legal update on employer compliance with federal and state law regarding meal break waivers

The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated list, which reflects all OIG exclusions and reinstatement actions up to, and including, those taken in April 2017. This new file is meant to replace the updated LEIE database file available for download last month. Individuals and entities that have been reinstated to the federal health care programs are not included in this file. https://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/exclusions_list.asp The updated files are posted on the OIG’s

The National Nursing Home Quality Improvement Campaign has scheduled a special all-stakeholder call on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm highlighting an innovative quality improvement training program, QAPI Push. QAPI Push is an intensive 6-week instructional series that joins forces with state survey agencies to assist nursing home staff with mastering the principles of Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) while temporarily placing state surveys on hold. Telligen Nursing Home Quality Program Specialist Linda Savage, RN, BSN

The Massachusetts Council of Activity Professionals (MassCAP) is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, June 14th, "Activities: Not Just Fun and Games, A Look At Our Interdisciplinary Role to Resident Care." The workshop will be held at Pines Edge Health Center at North Hill in Needham and is open to all activity professionals. Discounted seminar fees are available for MassCAP members, please click here to view the registration flyer. For more information about MassCAP, please visit their website at www.themasscap.org.

Every year in honor of National Nurses Week, The Boston Globe recognizes Massachusetts nurses in all practice settings who have been nominated by patients, family members and colleagues for its Salute to Nurses. Numerous staff members from Mass Senior Care member facilities were nominated for this year’s salute, which honors individuals for their outstanding work in the nursing profession. Mass Senior Care would like to congratulate all of the nominees and thank the nursing staff in the long term care

Beginning Sunday, May 14, and continuing through Saturday, May 20, skilled nursing facilities across the Commonwealth and the country will celebrate National Nursing Home Week (NNHW). Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has presented Mass Senior Care Association with a proclamation recognizing NNHW and the valuable services provided by nursing home staff in Massachusetts. Established by the American Health Care Association in 1967, NNHW recognizes the role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities. This

The next National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI MLN Connects® Call is scheduled for Thursday, June 15, 2017 from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm. During this call, participants will learn about appropriate assessment and evaluation for the accurate diagnosis of schizophrenia and other mental disorders. Also, find out about the DICE Approach™ - Describe, Investigate, Create, and Evaluate, a simple but comprehensive method to understand and support individuals living with dementia. Additionally, CMS experts will share updates on

MassHealth requires that nursing facilities and chronic disease and rehabilitation inpatient hospitals account for the balances of personal needs allowance (PNA) account funds. MassHealth has issued its annual LTC Bulletin for the accounting of balances of personal needs allowances (PNA) for residents in LTC facilities. For 2016, if a provider does not submit the PNA form by May 31, 2017, or if the filing is incomplete and not reconciled to the bank statement, the provider may be subject to administrative

The Massachusetts Council of Activity Professionals (MassCAP) is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, June 14th, "Activities: Not Just Fun and Games, A Look At Our Interdisciplinary Role to Resident Care." The workshop will be held at Pines Edge Health Center at North Hill in Needham and is open to all activity professionals. Discounted seminar fees are available for MassCAP members, please click here to view the registration flyer. For more information about MassCAP, please visit their website at www.themasscap.org.