E-News Update Articles

The Massachusetts Senior Care Association is celebrating National Nursing Assistants Week, June 17th-June 24th. Mass Senior Care recognizes and acknowledges the valuable contributions made by our dedicated and compassionate Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). We are grateful for all you do to keep those in your care healthy, happy, safe and well.

The Massachusetts eHealth Institute at MassTech is seeking digital health startups with solutions for unpaid family caregivers to compete in the Massachusetts Digital Health COVID-19 Recovery Challenge. The Challenge is focused on finding solutions for unpaid caregivers who provide support to loved ones outside of traditional child rearing. Challenge finalists will compete for prizes worth $250,000 The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened our awareness of the critical role family caregivers play in our society and the ways they impact our healthcare

AHCA/NCAL will hold a virtual town hall event for long term care staff to get more information about the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, from 4:30pm ET to 5:30pm ET as part of its nationwide #GetVaccinated campaign. The event is open to all staff and is free to attend. Click HERE to register. It will also be livestreamed on AHCA/NCAL’s Facebook page.

Alliance Health at Rosewood and Brudnick Center for Living in Peabody both partnered with Salem Hospital, Mass General Brigham, and North Shore Physician’s Group to bring the MGB mobile vaccination community care van to their facilities. Coordinated by Stephanie McPherson, Rosewood’s Administrator, Tammy Starion, Brudnick’s DNS and Dr. Larissa Lucas, Medical Director, the mobile vaccine clinics provided an easily accessible way for the facility’s staff, residents, and the community at large to get vaccinated.

On today’s DPH weekly call, DPH informed participants that, effective immediately, eye protection is no longer necessary in clinical areas except for when caring for residents in quarantine or isolation, MassHealth today issued Eligibility Operations Memo 21-09 in regard to flexibilities implemented March 18, 2020 that will remain in effect through the end of the COVID-19 Federal Public Health Emergency, and Commonwealth “Mass VaxMillions” Vaccine Lottery Program.

DPH released updated guidance on visitation conditions, communal dining, and congregate activities, and the next weekly DPH call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

The Commissioner of the Department of Public Health is expected to release a memo today outlining which Public Health Orders would be rescinded effective June 15, 2021 (tomorrow) and which will be extended, last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released updated reporting requirements for recipients of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments, and MassHealth issues additional guidance COVID-related Patient Paid Adjustments (PPA).

Information on Senate public health emergency extension, mandatory reporting of resident and staff vaccination, rescinding of reporting requirements for health care facilities, reporting eligible HCP to the CDC NHSN Vaccination Module, OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards for healthcare setting, resident care assistants and the lifting of the public health emergency, and MassHealth updated transportation program guidance for transportation of dialysis patients to address access problem.

Join Healthcentric Advisors, a member of the IPRO QIN-QIO, on June 17, 12:30-1:30 pm for Naloxone in Nursing Homes - A Best Practice webinar.

Last week, Mass Senior Care member facility Elizabeth Seton Residence in Wellesley hosted a Celebration of Life and Memorial Tree Dedication. Resident family members and facility staff gathered in the facility’s courtyard to pay tribute to the lives and efforts of all individuals at the Elizabeth Seton Residence who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the tree dedication, families added their own message to stones inscribed with the names of those lost. Family members placed hand-painted stones in a basket as names were read and remembered. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the stones were carefully placed around the memorial tree. Read the full article in Wicked Local.

Mass Senior Care advocates for the extension of certain public health orders in Senate bill, the Public Health Council, via emergency regulation, extended the Public Health Commissioner’s authority to issue public health orders related to COVID-19 testing, vaccination and protections for high-risk populations, when the state’s public health emergency ends on June 15th, and as of June 13, 2021 CMS will begin imposing CMPs on nursing facilities that do not complete the weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Data for Residents and Healthcare Personnel to NHSN.

MassMAP will hold its annual education and tabletop exercises from June 22 – 24, 2021. This education is free and for MassMAP facility members only.

In response to outreach made by Massachusetts Senior Care Association and local nursing facility operators, members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation co-signed a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra asking that $10 billion in Provider Relief Fund and $3 billion in aid through the American Rescue Plan’s Rural Relief Funds be allocated for skilled nursing facilities and the long term care sector. Mass Senior Care extends our thanks to the members of the Massachusetts delegation who have co-signed the letter and their continued commitment and leadership on behalf of individuals living and working in the Commonwealth’s nursing facilities.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to welcome new members to our Association. 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. You can find all of our Associate Members listed on our website, www.maseniorcare.org/preferred-vendors.

Mass Senior Care has submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services testimony and comments on the proposed federal fiscal year 2022 Medicare SNF Payment rule, emphasizing our concern about the proposed section that would recalibrate the SNF patient driven payment model (PDPM). Read Mass Senior Care's testimony and comments to CMS.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is providing long-term care facilities with updated vaccination guidance to maintain the safety of residents, staff, and visitors, MassHealth has issued All Provider Bulletin 318, which provides an update on monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, DPH is collaborating with the CDC on the development of infection control trainings for frontline healthcare personnel, DPH invites long-term care facilities to attend a virtual Town Hall presentation of the Caring for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia training program, and the next weekly DPH call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

The Massachusetts Senior Care Association looks forward to celebrating National Nursing Assistants Week which kicks off on Thursday, June 17th. This annual celebration is an opportune time to formally recognize and acknowledge the valuable contributions made by members of your staff every day—especially the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who provide quality care to residents.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is thrilled to announce the 2021 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award recipients. This year, 194 skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), 39 assisted living (AL) communities, and 3 combined SNF/AL providers in 42 states achieved the Bronze Award! Three Mass Senior Care member facilities have been recognized this year, including Broad Reach Rehab at Liberty Commons in North Chatham, John Adams HealthCare Center in Quincy and Ledgewood Rehab & Skilled Nursing Center in Beverly.

Governor Baker signed into law on May 28th a bill to address the issue of higher than anticipated solvency assessments in the first quarter of calendar year 2021. The state Department of Unemployment Assistance last month notified employers that the deadline for first quarter unemployment insurance payments had been delayed from April 30th to June 1st, to allow the Administration and legislature time to address the issue of higher than anticipated solvency assessments in the first quarter.

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has established a webpage which consolidates relevant coronavirus and COVID-19 information and answers questions from the public about the EEO laws and COVID-19.

Beginning August 2020, Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) resumed post-payment reviews of items and services with dates of service before March 2020. MACs may now begin conducting post-payment medical reviews for later dates of service.

This memo discusses CHIA updated surveillance testing reporting – streamlined reporting survey and new NIOSH guidance on N-95 respirators

Members are updated on Governor Baker's bill addressing unemployment insurance rate relief and COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave program and the DPH weekly call.

This memo addresses clarification on COVID-19 vaccine education.

EOHHS today issued MassHealth Bulletin 164/May 2021, updating COVID-19 Ongoing Surveillance Testing Requirements. Under this Bulletin, facilities will be required to report to CHIA weekly, with the first week running from Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 7 am through Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 6.59 am.

The Legislature has enacted and sent to Governor Baker a bill to address the issue of higher than anticipated solvency assessments in the first quarter of calendar year 2021. The state Department of Unemployment Assistance last month notified employers that the deadline for first quarter unemployment insurance payments had been delayed from April 30th to June 1st, to allow the Administration and legislature time to address the issue of higher than anticipated solvency assessments in the first quarter.

Last chance to register for Mass Senior Care's MDS 3.0 for PDPM: Confidence in Coding webinar on June 3rd.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on May 22nd announced a new 18-month designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This new TPS designation enables Haitian nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Haiti) currently residing in the United States as of May 21, 2021 to file initial applications for TPS, so long as they meet eligibility requirements.

Mass Senior Care Association continues to work with our member long term care facilities to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among residents and staff. To assist members with talking to long term care staff, residents, and family members about the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, Mass Senior Care is sharing updated and new resources as part of our ongoing campaign “Arming Ourselves Against COVID-19”.

Mass Senior Care is working with MassHealth on transportation issues related to the termination of ambulance contracts and also continues to work with our member long term care facilities to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among residents and staff.

Today, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders announced that after serving as the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health for over 6 years, Commissioner Monica Bharel is stepping down effective June 18. Appointed by Governor Baker in 2015, the Commissioner has steered the Department of Public Health through significant public health challenges including the opioid epidemic, vaping associated lung disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registration is now open for AHCA's 72nd AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo which takes place from October 10-13 at the National Harbor outside Washington, DC. Visit AHCAconvention.org for a special message and invitation from AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Mark Parkinson.

The next meeting of the MSCA OUD Task Force is scheduled for Monday, June 14, 2021 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. This meeting is for Mass Senior Care provider members only. Registration is required.

Today DPH announced updated guidance allowing LTC facilities to request BinaxNOW test kits from DPH through August 2021 and the next weekly DPH call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Members are informed on DPH update to Caring for Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Emergency, COVID-19 vaccine safety message from CDC, requesting PPE from DPH, a pause in the distribution of Bamlanivimab/etesevimab and NHSN vaccine module training.

A memo on the Legislature sending Governor Baker a bill to address (1) DUA Solvency Assessments and (2) COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program.

Earlier this year the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and the MassCyberCenter, two divisions of the MassTech Collaborative, partnered with Massachusetts Senior Care Association and other statewide associations to assess the cybersecurity needs of healthcare organizations and inform improvement strategies over the coming year. One of the core learnings from this assessment was the desire for a monthly healthcare cybersecurity call where representatives from the public and private sectors could provide a threat update and lead a discussion around cybersecurity best practices for provider organizations. Registration is open.

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy) and State Representative Tackey Chan (D-Quincy) visited South Cove Manor at Quincy Point. Li Chen, Administrator, Bill Graves, CEO and Helen Chin Schlichte, Past Chair of South Cove Manor at Quincy Point (photographed) discussed the incredible dedication of their nursing facility staff and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and their efforts to provide vaccines to their residents and dedicated staff.

More than 800 nurses were nominated for this year’s “Salute to Nurses” sponsored by the Boston Globe — the most in its history. Here, you’ll find the letters from those whose lives were touched by a nurse’s compassion, including 57 nominations for long term care nurses. Each story shows how, even in difficult times and in ways big and small, these everyday heroes rise to the occasion.

On May 21st, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services along with other government and community partners is hosting a national vaccine day of action online, and Mass Senior Care is inviting you to join. On May 21st, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services along with other government and community partners is hosting a national vaccine day of action online, and Mass Senior Care is inviting you to join. Please find some tools to make this easy. #WeCanDoThis.

The final two education webinars of the spring are quickly approaching, register now! Please click on the links below to register or email lnguyen@maseniorcare.org if you have any questions.

Mass Senior Care Association continues to work with our member long term care facilities to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among residents and staff. Achieving a high rate of resident and staff vaccinations is critical to our fight against COVID-19 and ensuring the safety of our residents and the entire caregiving team. In addition, vaccination rates will be key drivers in rebuilding census and increasing consumer confidence in long term care services.

Zimmet Healthcare, a Mass Senior Care Associate Member, is hosting its live event, Reimbursement-Con, August 11 & 12, 2021 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

Members are updated on the MassHealth follow up PPA guidance for COVID period and House bill to address (1) DUA solvency assessments and (2) COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave program.

The Baker administration released plans to lift COVID restrictions on May 29 and end the state of emergency on June 15, 2021. In line with updated CDC face covering guidance, the Administration will rescind the current face covering order and issue a new face covering advisory effective May 29. The next weekly DPH call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: Clarification on DPH Comprehensive PPE Guidance Date: May 17, 2021 Clarification on DPH Comprehensive PPE Guidance After hearing from members, Mass Senior Care reached out to DPH for clarification on the most recent Updated Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment released on May 13, 2021. Per DPH, this guidance is for ALL healthcare facilities, not just long-term care facilities. Long-term care facilities are encouraged to follow long-term care

Mass Senior Care is offering several webinars on important COVID-19 related topics, including life safety code, employment leaves and rebuilding census. Please click on the links below to register or email lnguyen@maseniorcare.org if you have any questions. Are You Ready for Your Annual Survey? Tuesday, May 18, 2021 1:00pm – 2:30 pm Presented by HealthPRO Heritage Mass Senior Care's 2021 Quality Leader Sponsor Webinar Description: For some nursing facilities it has been close to two years since their last annual

Mass Senior Care celebrates our nursing home residents and their dedicated caregivers during National Skilled Nursing Care Week. This year's theme is Together Through the Seasons to honor the collaborative commitment of skilled nursing facilities and their staff in providing compassionate care to their residents during these unprecedented times. “During National Skilled Nursing Care Week, we thank our incredible community of long term care heroes who have shown strength and resilience over this past year in protecting our vulnerable residents against one of the deadliest diseases in recent history,” said Tara M. Gregorio, President of Mass Senior Care Association.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering web-based training that provides an overview of the general and key clinical considerations important for conducting standardized cognitive and mood assessments. This four-course series is designed for providers in the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) setting.

Hamel-Lydon Chapel & Cremation Service of Massachusetts (Hamel-Lydon), a Mass Senior Care Association Associate Member, is offering ten (10) $500 awards to candidates who are home health aides, hospice care aides or certified nursing assistants. Qualifying candidates are invited to apply for the award.