E-News Update Articles

In a blog published in Health Affairs Forefront, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services described its progress to date in the CMS accountable care strategy, and outlined areas CMS is exploring in 2023 to build on these efforts to accelerate the growth of and access to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) that can support improved care experience and quality for beneficiaries, especially those in rural and underserved areas.

The Legislature this week enacted and sent to Governor Healey its FY 2024 state budget recommendation totaling $56 billion, which includes $283 million over the current FY 2023 Medicaid nursing facility budget appropriation.

Skilled nursing facilities must report their 2023 Quarter 1 (December 26, 2022 - March 26, 2023) Weekly Healthcare Personnel COVID-19 Vaccination Summary data to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) by August 15, 2023.

Endless summer fun continues at our member facilities! Even though August is here, members are participating in exciting activities and events that keep the good times rolling all season long.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier this week issued its federal fiscal year 2024 (FFY 2024) Medicare SNF PPS rule, covering October 2023 through September 2024.

The Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2023 awards. Scholarships from $500 to $2,000 will be awarded to selected applicants to cover direct, out of pocket expenses for tuition, fees, books, and supplies incurred during the period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

Member Update: CMS Issues FFY 2024 Medicare SNF PPS Rule; MassHealth Trading Partner Testing Update

Member Update: Legislature Enacts and Sends to Governor FY 2024 Budget

After a brief pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS surveys are back on track. Join us to hear from the Department of Public Health (DPH) as they walk seminar participants through the steps of the survey process from entrance to exit.

Since their release on April 3, 2023, MDS 3.0 version v1.8.11v2 final item sets and draft RAI guidance were updated and substantial changes were made to several sections.

Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities continue to receive or are eligible to receive free monthly shipments of Abbott BinaxNOW over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

​As fall approaches, long-term care (LTC) providers should be preparing to vaccinate their residents and staff against common respiratory viruses.

The CDC has launched an updated and improved COVID-19 website​. Based on the needs of the public, the updates are more streamlined and easier for the public to find relevant information on COVID-19.

The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) provides training, technical assistance, and resources to the staff at Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing facilities that care for residents with various behavioral health conditions. This three-year cooperative agreement was awarded to Alliant Health Solutions by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with CMS. The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities provides the following services to nursing facilities: Training and resources on

As previously reported, the DPH has proposed amendments to several regulations, to standardize COVID-19 and influenza vaccination requirements across all licensed health care facility settings including 105 CMR 150.000 Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities With the proposed amendments, staff will need to be vaccinated with both COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, unless an individual is subject to an exemption.

The DPH has updated the Massachusetts Multidrug-Resistant Organism (MDRO) Toolkit.

As a reminder, the DPH released guidance on Organizational Policies and Procedures for Mitigating Respiratory Illness after the expiration of the PHE. Health care facilities must identify and monitor respiratory illness metrics to indicate when there are increased levels which may necessitate implementing additional infection control measures.

Member Updates: Public Hearing on Proposed Changes to Regulations related to COVID-19 Vaccination of Staff; CHIA Issues 2022 Nursing Facility Cost Report Forms: Due Date is September 22, 2023; REMINDER: 2023 DCC-Q Final Filing Reporting is Due on July 31st

Join AHCA/NCAL in the Mile-High City of Denver its Convention & Expo this year!

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.

MassHealth this week issued two Nursing Facility bulletins in regard to Enhanced Care Coordination and Transition Support.

Member Update: MassHealth Issues 2 Nursing Facility Bulletins on Enhanced Care Coordination and Transition Support

The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC)’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) is no longer collecting primary vaccination series data.

CMS will host a national stakeholder call on July 18, 2023 at 1:00 pm.

Join AHCA/NCAL in the Mile-High City of Denver its Convention & Expo this year!

It is an absolute delight to see so many summer fun photos on social media, as our member facilities are busy coming up with creative ways for residents to beat the heat!

Since their release on April 3, 2023, MDS 3.0 version v1.8.11v2 final item sets and draft RAI guidance were updated and substantial changes were made to several sections.

Member Update: MassHealth Policy Updates to Support Return to Normal Business Operations

Member Update: DPH Needs Assessment: Caring for Residents with OUD

Member Update: Reminder: MassHealth Announcement on Important PASRR Updates: Mandatory Training Webinars on July 19th and July 25th

Member Update: Proposed Changes to COVID-19 Vaccination Regulation for Health Care Personnel

Member Update: 2023 DCC-Q Final Filing Reporting is Due on July 31st: Online Portal Now Available for Data Entry

Member Update: MassHealth Announcement on Important PASRR Updates: Mandatory Training Webinars on July 19th and July 25th

Member Update: Potential Strike of UPS Workers; MassHealth Issues Two Eligibility Operations Memorandum Updates

Member Updates: CMS Posts Nursing Home Ownership and Performance Data on Care Compare; NHSN Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Module – Reporting Issue; Register Now for July 12th Operationalizing Massachusetts MMQ transition to Medicaid PDPM Case Mix Members Only Webinar

Member Update: Hospital Capacity Constraints

Member Updates: MassHealth Announcement: PASRR Portal Will Be Launching in August 2023; Enhanced Care Coordination and Transition Support Training Materials Posted on MassHealth LTSS Provider Portal

On June 28, 2023, CMS released, QSO-23-18-NH announcing the addition of ownership information to Nursing Home Care Compare.

As a reminder, the DPH released guidance on Organizational Policies and Procedures for Mitigating Respiratory Illness after the expiration of the PHE.

Join AHCA/NCAL in the Mile-High City of Denver its Convention & Expo this year!

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is recruiting long-term care facilities to participate in the AHRQ Safety Program for MRSA Prevention.

Since their release on April 3, 2023, MDS 3.0 version v1.8.11v2 final item sets and draft RAI guidance were updated and substantial changes were made to several sections.

Member Updates: MassHealth Nursing Facility MDS Training for PDPM Transition; 2023 DCC-Q Final Filing Reporting is Due on July 31st

Member Updates: Revised Infection Control Reporting Requirements Grid; Informal Dispute Resolution Meeting; Final Chance to Register for June 28 CNA to LPN Pipeline Webinar

The NHSN Vaccination team will be hosting upcoming trainings to review important changes and information regarding reporting person-level resident and health care personnel COVID-19 vaccination data through the NHSN Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Component.

During the public health emergency (PHE), the CMS utilized enforcement discretion to allow entities, such as long-term care pharmacies, that provide vaccinations to nursing facility residents to directly bill and receive payment for the administration of COVID-19, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines.

Congratulations to Notre Dame Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Center which celebrated its 30th anniversary on June 17th.

Six Mass Senior Care member facilities are being recognized with a 2023 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).

Since their release on April 3, 2023, MDS 3.0 version v1.8.11v2 final item sets and draft RAI guidance were updated and substantial changes were made to several sections.

Mass Senior Care Association is pleased to welcome new members to our Association.