Member Resources

• Temporary Protected Status Terminated for Afghanistan • Aging and Independence Committee Legislative Hearing • CMS Issues Proposed MCO Provider Tax Rule • Reconciliation Update: Federal Medicaid Funding • Reminder: HCP Flu Vaccine Reporting • Reminder: Management Company Reporting

Group Insurance Commission to Delay Payments to Health Care Providers Pending Enactment of Supplemental Funding Legislation

The deadline for submission for Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) is May 15, 2025.

CMS and DPH require nursing facilities to report Health Care Personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination data via the CDC’s NHSN and make the data available to DPH in NHSN. Nursing facilities are required to submit healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza data to the CDC’s NHSN by May 15, 2025.

In an effort to assist members with survey compliance, we are reminding providers that the CMS State Operations Manual Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities requires personnel to provide basic life support, including CPR, to a resident requiring such emergency care prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel and subject to related physician orders and the resident’s advance directives (F678 §483.24(a)(3)).

The Massachusetts Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) issued a reminder that the calendar year 2024 nursing facility cost report filings are due no later than June 1, 2025.

On May 1, the new Director of the Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality, Teryl Smith, released an initial memo implementing Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024 An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care.

On May 8th, Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio issued an audit report reviewing MassHealth Transportation Services covering the audit period July 2020 through June 2023.

Mass Senior Care members are invited to join us for the AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing on June 9-10, 2025 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. Congressional Briefing will offer opportunities to gain insight on the latest legislative and policy developments, network with colleagues, and hear from prominent speakers.

Mark your calendars! National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) kicks off this Sunday, May 11, and runs through Saturday, May 17, 2025. This special week is a great time to celebrate all who live and work in nursing facilities!

This National Nurses Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to the dedicated nurses working in senior living organizations across Massachusetts. Your compassion, skill, and unwavering commitment to caring for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities does not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do, today and every day.

Join us next Wednesday, May 14th at the DCU Center in Worcester for an action-packed day at the 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show. Next week is the last chance to register - don't miss out!

Mass Senior Care celebrates and honors the amazing mothers who live and work in our communities. Your strength, love, and dedication inspire us every day!

This week, the Senate Ways and Means (SWM) Committee released its FY 2026 budget recommendation totaling $61.3 billion. We are pleased to report that the Committee’s recommendation consistent with Governor Healey’s recommendation would fund $102 million in new Medicaid nursing facility spending.

• CPR Certification Requirements • Report HCP Flu Vaccination • Nominate an Immunization Champion

• Senate Ways and Means Committee Issues FY26 Budget Recommendation • REMINDER: CY 2024 Nursing Facility Cost Reports Due June 1st

• Nominate a Massachusetts Immunization Champion! • MassHealth Issues Eligibility Operations Memo • President Trump Proposes Federal Fiscal 2026 Budget • REMINDER: Expanded Suitability Review and Management Companies • REMINDER: SNF QRP Submission Deadline

• Expanded Suitability Review and Management Companies • Healey Administration Awards Funding for CNA Training at Community Colleges

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On April 16, 2025, CMS released a new resource Essential Survey Information for CMS-Certified Providers on the survey process and common requests providers may receive during surveys. CMS states the toolkit is intended to help providers navigate the survey process effectively.

As a reminder, the CMS revisions to Appendix PP of the CMS State Operations Manual went into effect on April 28, 2025. Surveyors will be using the revised guidance during annual surveys.

CMS and DPH require nursing homes to report Health Care Personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination data via the CDC’s NHSN and make the data available to DPH in NHSN. Nursing homes are required to submit healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza data to the CDC’s NHSN by May 15, 2025.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created regulations under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 to reduce hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions.

Mass Senior Care members are invited to join us for the AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing on June 9-10, 2025 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. Congressional Briefing will offer opportunities to gain insight on the latest legislative and policy developments, network with colleagues, and hear from prominent speakers.

Mark your calendars! National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) is right around the corner, running from Sunday, May 11 through Saturday, May 17, 2025. This special week is a great time to celebrate all who live and work in nursing facilities. The American Health Care Association (AHCA) has deemed this year’s theme "Tapestry of Life”, which highlights the meaningful stories that make up each person’s journey in skilled nursing care.

Join us Wednesday, May 14th at the DCU Center in Worcester for an action-packed day at the 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show. In addition to learning from dynamic speakers addressing issues impacting long term care providers, over 50 leading sponsors and exhibitors will be on site at our Trade Show & Luncheon, showcasing the latest products and services you need to know about. Network. Discover. Learn. Whether you're looking to make valuable connections, stay ahead of industry trends, or just soak up some fresh ideas—you need to be in the room. Don’t wait, spots are filling fast! Register now and secure your place at the 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show!

The House yesterday evening engrossed its FY 2026 budget recommendation totaling $61.5 billion. We are pleased to report that the House’s recommendation provides $132 million in new Medicaid nursing facility funding.

On April 17, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the allocation of $9.7 million through the Community College Nursing Grant to expand workforce training in key health care roles across Massachusetts. The funding will support noncredit Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant programs at all 15 of the Commonwealth’s public community colleges, with the goal of training approximately 1,125 students.

• House FY26 Budget Recommends $132 Million in New Medicaid Nursing Facility Funding

• Now Accepting Career Ladder Applications • Register Now for Upcoming Education Programs!

• Nursing Home HCP Flu Vaccination Reminder • Revisions to Appendix PP • New Survey Resource

• Zimmet Healthcare Issues Calculator for FFY26 Proposed Medicare SNF • States Sue Trump Administration Over Tariffs

• Massachusetts Extends Unemployment Benefits to 30 Weeks • Register Now for Upcoming Webinar Series!

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Massachusetts residents filing new unemployment claims this week — along with eligible existing claimants — will now be able to receive benefits for up to 30 weeks, an increase from the previous maximum of 26 weeks.

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) will be launching the new MAVRIC death registration on Monday, June 2, 2025. The application has been updated and tested and is ready for deployment.

On April 17th, the Health Policy Commission set the annual 2026 healthcare growth benchmark at 3.6%. The health care cost growth benchmark, the cornerstone for the state’s cost containment efforts, is a statewide target for the rate of growth of total health care expenditures (THCE), the annual sum of all health care expenditures in the Commonwealth from both private and public sources, calculated on a per person basis.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has informed state Medicaid directors that it does not anticipate approving new state proposals of section 1115 demonstration expenditure authority for federal designated State Health Plan (DSHP) or Designated State Investment Program funding or renewing current approved Demonstration projects.

National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) is a great time to celebrate all who live and work in nursing facilities. The American Health Care Association (AHCA) has deemed this year’s theme "Tapestry of Life.” The national observance will take place from Sunday, May 11 to Saturday, May 17, 2025.

This past Monday, Laura Cannistraro completed her fourth Boston Marathon—and her second as a charity runner on behalf of Elizabeth Seton Residence (ESR), an MSCA member facility. Cannistraro’s connection to ESR is deeply personal: her grandmother currently resides at the facility, and her late grandfather was also a former resident. She runs in honor of both of them, aiming to give back to the place that provided them with compassionate care. Mass Senior Care congratulates Laura and all of this year’s Boston Marathon participants on their incredible achievement!

Mass Senior Care Association is pleased to offer Associate Members sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor booths for the upcoming 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA! We are currently sold out of regular exhibitor booths. Please consider one of our remaining sponsorship opportunities, or contact us to be added to our waitlist!

Mass Senior Care members are invited to join us for the AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing on June 9-10, 2025 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. Congressional Briefing will offer opportunities to gain insight on the latest legislative and policy developments, network with colleagues, and hear from prominent speakers.

• Governor Healey Tariff Response Initiative • Trump Administration Cancels $90 Million in Disaster Prevention Aid • Know Your Rights: Immigration Resources • CMS to End Federal Matching for 1115 Demonstration State Health Plan Programs • HPC Sets 2026 Health Care Benchmark at 3.6%

Department of Justice Investigating Wound Care Consultants Informal Dispute Resolution Meeting Medicare SNF Off-Cycle Provider Enrollment Reporting Delayed Use of Bed Rails in Nursing Facilities

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On April 14, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani temporarily blocked the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) March 25th decision to terminate CHNV Parole for individuals from Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba in Doe v. Noem.