Member Resources

On Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) governing Medicare rates for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2018 (October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018). Below are the highlights of the proposed rule: Market basket (i.e. cost-of-living) adjustment of 1.0% beginning October 1, 2017. The proposed rule for FFY 2018 establishes a net market basket increase of 1.0 percent. Specifically, for FFY

In response to concerns raised by Mass Senior Care to the MassHealth Commissioner, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services has extended the Direct Care Add On Interim Filing Date deadline to May 5, 2017 at 5 pm. On May 1, 2017 EOHHS posted on MassHealth Provider Forms webpage its official notice extending the deadline for filing the FY17 Interim Direct Care Add-on Compliance data. EOHHS has also included with the Notice instructions for completing the Interim Direct Care

Today the House of Representatives, on a 217-213 vote, passed an amended version of the “American Health Care Act”, the bill that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Our national association, AHCA, reports that while the legislation has been modified from the original bill, the “substantial reforms to Medicaid funding still exist in the bill and will seriously affect AHCA/NCAL membership if it becomes law.” The bill will now go to the Senate, where a final vote

Mass Senior Care is currently displaying artwork from the talented residents at Island Terrace Nursing Homein Lakeville at our office in Waltham. The artwork is borrowed from the Art Gallery of Island Terrace Artists. Click here to visit their Facebook page and to view their entire gallery. Mass Senior Care invites members to participate and submit your facility’s artwork for display. Please contact Jennifer Chen, Director of Membership & Engagement, for additional information.

The LTC Trend Tracker Team is hosting a webinar for LTC Trend Tracker account administrators to discuss the administration screens and also a live tutorial on new features that only account administrators have access to. This webinar will be hosted by Gautami Inamdar & Lonnita Belk, managers of LTC Trend Tracker, on Thursday, May 11th at 2:00 PM. Please click here to register for the webinar. Please visit the Resource Center for helpful documents and how-to videos on all other

The submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) is approaching. Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment data for October-December (Q4) of calendar year (CY) 2016 are due with this submission deadline. All data must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on May 15, 2017. View the list of measures required for this deadline on the SNF Quality Reporting Program Measures and Technical Information webpage. As a reminder, it is recommended that providers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a live webcast on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET. The focus of this training will be to assist providers from Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities, Long-Term Care Hospitals, and Skilled Nursing Facilities in better understanding how Review and Correct Reports fit within the overall Quality Reporting Program. Additionally, the training will provide information about re-submitting data to correct errors prior to the quarterly submission deadlines to ensure

On Thursday, May 4th, Carolyn Blanks, Mass Senior Care Foundation Executive Director, will present a webinar, Meeting the Challenge: Successful Strategies to Boost Nurse Recruitment and Retention, for McKnight's Long-Term Care News. Providers may feel as if they are going "back to the future" in facing a nursing shortage in long-term care. Carolyn will use her background in workforce development to provide background and strategies for skilled nursing facilities. As National Nurses Week prepares to kick off May 6, attendees

The House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted its state FY 2018 budget recommendation, totaling $40.4 billion, representing a nearly 4% increase over the current SFY 2017 budget. The Committee's recommendation includes an additional $17.8 million dedicated to Medicaid nursing facility funding. We are pleased to report that the House also adopted House Majority Leader Ronald Mariano's amendment #377 that provides statutory protection to prevent the displacement of nursing facility residents living in the more than 130 nursing facilities constructed prior

Mass Senior Care’s fiscal year 2018 budget advocacy effort is well underway as the House of Representatives is set to begin debate on Monday, April 24 th. A critical component of our effort is to raise legislator’s and the public’s awareness of the chronic Medicaid funding shortfall that nursing facilities face which severely limits providers’ ability to increase wages for direct care staff. Recently, the Lowell Sun featured a front page article, “Lawmakers Back Medicaid changes to boost nursing home

On May 15, 2017, Mass Senior Care President Tara Gregorio will participate in a panel presentation at the 2017 Marcum Long-Term Care Symposium at Mohegan Sun Conference Center in Uncasville, CT. An Associate Member of Mass Senior Care Association, Marcum’s 2017 Symposium is dedicated to providing professionals with a glimpse of the future, both operationally and economically. Joined by colleagues from several other New England long term care associations and the American Health Care Association, the panel will respond to

Is your facility prepared to meet the new emergency preparedness requirements by the November 15, 2017, compliance date? The Medicare Learning Network has scheduled a training call on Thursday, April 27 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm ET. During this call, learn about implementation of the final rule, including an overview of the regulation and training and testing requirements. A question and answer session follows the presentation. To register or for more information, visit MLN Connects Event Registration.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to share the results of a newly published study conducted by Jennifer Tija, MD, Associate Professor, UMass Medical School, et al, that demonstrated the use of antipsychotic medications in nearly 100 Massachusetts nursing homes was significantly reduced after staff received Oasis training. In 2011, the Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation oversaw implementation of Oasis in an 11-facility pilot project, with funding from Commonwealth Corporation. From 2012-2016, staff from 363 Massachusetts nursing facilities have participated in one

As part of its MassHealth program integrity efforts, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has announced the selection of Optum as its Third Party Administrator (TPA) Vendor to manage certain functions of the MassHealth Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS). The TPA’s work will cover LTSS State Plan Fee-For-Services (not under the responsibility of a managed care entity) provided to members over and under 65, including members eligible for waiver programs. According to the agency, the TPA

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has released a memorandum updating skilled nursing facilities on the Supportive Planning and Operations Team (SPOT) which was implemented in April 2016. Beginning this month, the SPOT team will visit an additional 20 nursing homes to engage in an assessment of the quality assurance and performance improvement activities. Skilled nursing facilities will receive timely feedback after the assessment is completed. Based upon the findings of the assessment, the SPOT team will provide individualized

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services/UMass yesterday posted on its website the electronic Direct Care Add On Compliance Form worksheet that nursing facilities need to complete for the Interim Filing due Monday, May 1st at 5:00 p.m. To be able to access the electronic Direct Care Compliance Form worksheet on the state's website, EOHHS is requiring each nursing facility to first designate a contact person who will submit the data. To register for access to the Direct Care

Last week, the Committee on House Ways and Means released its state FY 2018 budget recommendation, totaling $40.3 billion, representing a 3.8% increase over the current SFY 2017 budget. The Committee’s recommendation includes $180 million more than Governor Baker’s House 1 recommendation, $17.8 million of which is dedicated to Medicaid nursing facility funding. Mass Senior Care is grateful to Chairman Brain Dempsey, Speaker Robert DeLeo and the House of Representatives for their support of qualify nursing home care. Please click

Strategic Health Solutions, LLC (SHS) is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Supplemental Medical Review Contractor (SMRC) that is charged with conducting nationwide medical review as directed by CMS to address specific agency interests regarding coverage, coding, payment, and billing practices. Recently, the SHS website announced that on March 17, 2017, CMS directed the SMRC to conduct a post-pay audit of SNF PPS claims under project number Y4P0445. SNF providers selected for this audit may receive an Additional

National Healthcare Decisions Month inspires, educates and empowers the public about the importance of advance care planning. This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Healthcare Decisions Day. In recognition of this milestone and in support of increasing awareness of the value of advance care planning, the Massachusetts Coalition for Serious Illness Care and its more than 70 member organizations including Mass Senior Care are working together to bring an expanded, month-long version of this effort to Massachusetts. This program

During National Nursing Home Week® (NNHW), May 14 to 20, 2017, skilled nursing care centers will unite under the theme, “The Spirit of America.” This theme underscores the bond between staff, volunteers and residents that capture the American spirit. Click here to download the 2017 Planning Guide and Product Catalog! To order 2017 NNHW products, visit the AHCA publications website here! Established by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 1967 and always beginning on Mother’s Day, NNHW provides an

Congress nullified OSHA’s rule finalized in December 2016 “Clarification of Employer’s Continuing Obligation to Make and Maintain Accurate Records of Each Recordable Injury and Illness,” informally referred to as the “Volks” rule. The Volks rule made recordkeeping requirements a continuing obligation and effectively gave OSHA the ability to issue citations to employers for failing to record work-related injuries and illnesses during the 5-year retention period, contrary to the six-month statute of limitations. President Trump has indicated he will sign the

The Committee on House Ways and Means earlier this week released its state FY 2018 budget recommendation, totaling $40.3 billion, representing a 3.8% increase over the current SFY 2017 budget. The Committee’s recommendation includes $180 million more than Governor Baker’s House 1 recommendation, $17.8 million of which is dedicated to Medicaid nursing facility funding. Mass Senior Care is grateful to Chairman Brain Dempsey, Speaker Robert DeLeo and the House of Representatives for their support of quality nursing home care. The

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 March 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

During National Nursing Home Week® (NNHW), May 14 to 20, 2017, skilled nursing care centers will unite under the theme, “The Spirit of America.” This theme underscores the bond between staff, volunteers and residents that capture the American spirit. Click here to download the 2017 Planning Guide and Product Catalog! To order 2017 NNHW products, visit the AHCA publications website here! Established by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 1967 and always beginning on Mother’s Day, NNHW provides an

Mass Senior Care is pleased to announce a partnership with The Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors on a learning collaborative to support facilities in developing, enhancing and sustaining resident and/or family councils. High- functioning resident and family councils in partnership with staff can serve to foster person-centered care by creating processes to proactively identify and address concerns, and move toward new possibilities in quality of care and quality of resident life. Our goal is to establish the

As a condition of licensure all long term care facilities are required to submit annual data on the healthcare personnel influenza vaccination. Failure to submit the required influenza data may result in a statement of deficiency against the facility to which the facility will be required to submit a plan of correction subject to enforcement action as warranted. Compliance with this regulatory requirement will also be assessed during surveys currently conducted by DPH. Detailed instructions for completing the DPH 2016-2017

The Saling ALS Residence of Leonard Florence Center for Living The Saling ALS Residence of Leonard Florence Center for Living in Chelsea was recently featured on Fox News. The residence is dedicated to caring for individuals living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Located on the second floor, the Saling ALS residence is equipped with the latest computer-operated technology to allow individuals with ALS the most amount of independence possible. Steve Sailing, a resident

The Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation's annual scholarship program assists long term care staff in meeting their personal and professional goals through furthering their education. Since 1985, the Foundation has awarded $2.7 million in scholarships to nearly 1,600 "Foundation Scholars" across Massachusetts. The Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2017 scholarship awards. Scholarships of up to $2000 will be awarded to selected applicants to help cover direct, out of pocket expenses for tuition, fees, books and supplies during the 2017

Under the current SFY 2018 direct care add on program, each nursing facility will be required to electronically submit data to EOHHS using a Nursing Facility Direct Care Add-on application. The Interim Filing is due on April 30 thand the Final Filing is due on September 30 th. To be able to access the electronic Direct Care Compliance Form worksheet on the state’s website, EOHHS is requiring each nursing facility to first designate a contact person who will submit data

On Monday, April 3, 2017, Bill Bogdanovich, Mass Senior Care Chairman and members representing skilled nursing facilities and rest homes testified in response to numerous concerns regarding the Department of Public Health's (DPH) regulatory proposal to both (1) eliminate the grandfathering provision for long term care facilities constructed prior to 1968 and (2) reduce the number of beds per room to no more than two. Mass Senior Care and members spoke to the potential obstacles of achieving compliance due to

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, Healthcentric Advisors/New England QIN-QIO, Massachusetts Senior Care Association, and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors is pleased to offer a one day antimicrobial stewardship program on May 3 rd 2017 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The meeting will be held at the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, Burlington Massachusetts. The target audience includes: Health care professionals including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, quality

During National Nursing Home Week® (NNHW), May 14 to 20, 2017, skilled nursing care centers will unite under the theme, “The Spirit of America.” This theme underscores the bond between staff, volunteers and residents that capture the American spirit. Click here to download the 2017 Planning Guide and Product Catalog! To order 2017 NNHW products, visit the AHCA publications website here! Established by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 1967 and always beginning on Mother’s Day, NNHW provides an

The Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation's annual scholarship program assists long term care staff in meeting their personal and professional goals through furthering their education. Since 1985, the Foundation has awarded $2.7 million in scholarships to nearly 1,600 "Foundation Scholars" across Massachusetts. The Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2017 scholarship awards. Scholarships of up to $2000 will be awarded to selected applicants to help cover direct, out of pocket expenses for tuition, fees, books and supplies during the 2017

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MLN will host a NPC for the Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare & Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers Final Rule on Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 2:30pm-3:30pm ET. The call will include a review of provisions and focus on Training and Testing Requirements. To register or for more information, visit MLN Connects® Event Registration. Space may be limited, so please register early.

On March 24, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Survey and Certification Memorandum 17-21 to provide information to assist providers and suppliers in meeting the Training and Testing requirements of the new Emergency Preparedness Final Rule that was published on September 16, 2016 (81 FR 63860) and became effective on November 15, 2016. The Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers Final Rule became effective on November 15, 2016 with an implementation

Mass Senior Care is pleased to announce a partnership with The Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors on a learning collaborative to support facilities in developing, enhancing and sustaining resident and/or family councils. High- functioning resident and family councils in partnership with staff can serve to foster person-centered care by creating processes to proactively identify and address concerns, and move toward new possibilities in quality of care and quality of resident life. Our goal is to establish the

Mass Senior Care’s Clinical Quality Committee and Regulatory & Survey Committee meetings have been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 12 th due to recent inclement weather. Facility members are invited to participate in these committees. The meetings will be held at the Mass Senior Care office in Waltham, please contact Jennifer Chen at jchen@maseniorcare.org if you are interested in attending. Rescheduled Meetings Clinical Quality Committee (Formerly “Clinical Leaders” Workgroup) Wednesday, April 12 th, 10am – 12pm Regulatory and Survey Committee Wednesday

On Tuesday evening, March 21st, in Maloney Hall at UMass, Lowell campus, Massachusetts Senior Care’s Director of Government Relations, Lauren Corcoran, offered oral testimony to nine Senators and the Senate President, as part of the Senate’s Commonwealth Conversations 2017 series.

Last week's Mass Senior Care Spring Conference & Trade Show brought together a sold-out crowd of over 600 long-term care professionals from across the state. Mass Senior Care Association Chairman Bill Bogdanovich opened the morning session, introducing the Association’s new President Tara Gregorio who began her term January 1, 2017. Gregorio previously served as the Association’s Senior Vice President and was responsible for legislative advocacy and government relations. During her remarks, Gregorio thanked the sponsors and exhibitors for their continued

Honoring Choices is working with our Partners to invite every consumer and care provider across the Commonwealth to take part in an open dialogue about MOLST ( Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment). Their goal is to work together to build a MOLST process that is responsive to each individual’s changing health needs and choices throughout their health care journey and at the end of life. Honoring Choices and the Mass Medical Society will host a program MOLST: Meeting the Challenge

During National Nursing Home Week® (NNHW), May 14 to 20, 2017, skilled nursing care centers will unite under the theme, “The Spirit of America.” This theme underscores the bond between staff, volunteers and residents that capture the American spirit. Click here to download the 2017 Planning Guide and Product Catalog! To order 2017 NNHW products, visit the AHCA publications website here! Established by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 1967 and always beginning on Mother’s Day, NNHW provides an

We are saddened to learn of the death of Murray Altsher, co-founder of Landa & Altsher. Murray was active in the long term care profession – building, renovating and revitalizing nursing homes throughout New England. Landa & Altsher, a longtime Associate Member of Mass Senior Care Association, later merged with CliftonLarsonAllen, one of the nation’s top 10 certified public accounting and consulting firms. We extend our deepest condolences to the Altsher family.

Mass Senior Care’s Clinical Quality Committee and Regulatory & Survey Committee meetings have been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 12 th due to this week’s inclement weather. Facility members are invited to participate in these committees. The meetings will be held at the Mass Senior Care office in Waltham, please contact Jennifer Chen at jchen@maseniorcare.org if you are interested in attending. Rescheduled Meetings Clinical Quality Committee (Formerly “Clinical Leaders” Workgroup) Wednesday, April 12 th, 10am – 12pm Regulatory and Survey Committee

The MassMAP Annual Regional Education Workshops will be held at various facilities across Massachusetts this April. The focus for these workshops is to bring each region together in their respective areas to improve each facility’s overall capability to prepare for, respond to and recover from a disaster. Click here for details on those sessions and to sign up today. This program is for MassMAP members only and all members must be up to date with MassMAP Membership Dues in order

House Republicans in the House Budget Committee today voted to approve the ‘American Health Care Act’ bill, which would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The bill passed by a vote of 19-17 on a nearly party-line vote, but 3 Republicans on the panel voted against passage. The bill now moves to the full House, where House leadership hopes to bring it up for a vote later this month. The defection of the three Republican Committee panel members is

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 February 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 March 2, 2017 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Survey and Certification Memorandum 17-20-NF providing an update on the 2017 Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program. Total SFF slots and candidates for each State: The number of designated slots and candidates for FY 2017 will not change from those effective since May 1, 2014. Initial selection notice: The State Survey Agency (SA) must notify the provider in writing of their SFF selection and conduct a meeting (either

CMS will host the next National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI call on March 21 from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm. This call will focus on Creating a Culture of Person-Directed Dementia Care project grant award. The Lake Superior Quality Innovation Network will share information about the new QAPI Written Plan How-To Guide that can assist long-term care providers with performance improvement efforts. Additionally, CMS experts share updates on the progress of the National Partnership to Improve Dementia

The Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation's annual scholarship program assists long term care staff in meeting their personal and professional goals through furthering their education. Since 1985, the Foundation has awarded $2.7 million in scholarships to nearly 1,600 "Foundation Scholars" across Massachusetts. The Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2017 scholarship awards. Scholarships of up to $2000 will be awarded to selected applicants to help cover direct, out of pocket expenses for tuition, fees, books and supplies during the 2017

Mass Senior Care Association seeks members to join newly established and existing policy committees. These committees provide unique ways for Mass Senior Care members to involve themselves in specialized areas of interest and expertise as well as learn from fellow colleagues and advance public policy affecting the long term care community. Committee participation is for facility members only. Please view descriptions of each committee by clicking here. If you are interested in participating, please complete the form using the following