The fifth and final meeting of the legislatively mandated Nursing Facility Task Force was held Friday, January 31st, and focused on reviewing the Policy Points of Agreement for inclusion in the Final Task Force Report.

The Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) on February 4th issued an update to nursing facilities regarding the 2019 Nursing Facility Cost Report submission.

The FY 2020 budget act authorizes the Direct Care Staff Payment at $38.3 million.  Please note that EOHHS has updated its Nursing Facility Direct Care Program FAQ for 2020.  EOHHS previously issued Administrative Bulletin 20-03 specifying the compliance criteria and reporting requirements for the 2020 Nursing Facility Direct Care Staff Payment Program. 

The November 2019 State Survey Agency Directors Memorandum (PDF) includes infection control information and basic practices to improve resident safety and quality in nursing homes. Providers can access the following resources by visiting Quality, Safety & Education Portal

The Massachusetts Consultation Service for Treatment of Addiction and Pain (MCSTAP) offers on demand, telephonic professional consultation to providers on safe prescribing and managing care for patients with chronic pain, substance use disorder (SUD), or both.

CMS published the FY 2022 SNF Annual Payment Update (APU) table. This table indicates the data elements CMS will use for FY 2022 SNF QRP APU determinations.

The first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus in Massachusetts has been confirmed in a man returning from Wuhan, China who is in his 20s and lives in Boston.