E-News Update Articles

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, which is issued by SNF and other providers submitting claims for Medicare items and services to beneficiaries in situations where Medicare payment is expected to be denied.

The Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has recently concluded its public hearing and comment period with respect to 458 CMR 2.00.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Register Now for CHIA Webinar on Baseline and Surveillance Testing Data Submission Platform; Correction on Guidance for Rest Home Surveillance Testing Date: July 15, 2020 CHIA Submission Tool Now Available The CHIA submission tool for reporting your baseline and surveillance testing is live and available for data entry here: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5678159/covid-nf-surveillance. The full list of questions can be accessed by clicking here. CHIA is hosting a webinar

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Call Today Regarding Point of Care Testing and Summary of Initiative Date: July 15, 2020 TODAY AT 5:30 PM EDT: CMS Call for Nursing Homes CMS Administrator Verma has scheduled a call for all nursing homes today (Wednesday, July 15) at 5:30 pm Eastern. She has some announcements and updates she wants to provide directly to nursing homes regarding their recent announcement on COVID-19 testing

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: MassMAP Reporting Discontinued; POC Testing; MassHealth Extends NF Coverage for Family Assistance Members; Guidance on Rest Home Surveillance Testing; NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Updates; and DPH Weekly Call Reminder Date: July 14, 2020 – Afternoon Edition MassMAP Reporting Discontinued Effective today, the State Command Center and DPH are discontinuing the daily reporting requirement through MassMAP. CMS Announces Point Of Care Testing For Nursing Homes CMS today

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: MassMAP Reporting Discontinued; MassHealth Extends NF Coverage for Family Assistance Members; Guidance on Rest Home Surveillance Testing; NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Updates; DPH Weekly Call Reminder; and POC Testing Date: July 14, 2020 – Afternoon Edition MassMAP Reporting Discontinued Effective today, the State Command Center and DPH are discontinuing the daily reporting requirement through MassMAP. MassHealth Extends NF Coverage for Family Assistance Members MassHealth has issued

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Issues Surveillance Testing FAQ and Request to Complete MSCA Survey Today Date: July 14, 2020 EOHHS Issues Surveillance Testing FAQ Last night EOHHS issued an FAQ for Long Term Care Facility Surveillance Testing which is established in Nursing Facility Bulletin 148: COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Requirements for Nursing Facilities and the Department of Public Health’s June 30th guidance. The state will provide supplemental payments

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Issues Surveillance Testing FAQ and Request to Complete MSCA Survey Today Date: July 14, 2020 EOHHS Issues Surveillance Testing FAQ Last night EOHHS issued an FAQ for Long Term Care Facility Surveillance Testing which is established in Nursing Facility Bulletin 148 : COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Requirements for Nursing Facilities and the Department of Public Health’s June 30th guidance . The state will provide

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Reminder to TNS Agencies; Testing of Persons with Suspect COVID-19 and Updated Comprehensive PPE Guidance Date: July 13, 2020 EOHHS Sends a Reminder to TNS Agencies Regarding Maximum Rates for Nursing Facilities Effective July 1 st The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) today sent a communication to temporary nursing services agencies with a reminder that the temporary 2-month (May and June) COVID-19 TNS

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Administrative Bulletins Regarding Direct Care Add-On and Surveillance Testing Date: July 10, 2020 EOHHS Issues Administrative Bulletins on (1) Extension of Direct Care Add-On and (2) Surveillance Testing Payment and Reporting Method EOHHS today issued two Administrative Bulletins that (1) extend the direct care rate add on for July 1 st and (2) establish the Supplemental Payment method for Surveillance Testing. Please also note that

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous companies and individuals have made generous donations of PPE, computer tablets, technology services and monetary contributions to help support the staff and residents of nursing facilities.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: NF Testing Resources; DPH Issues Updated Comprehensive PPE Guidance; Health Care Services; Weekly DPH and CMS Call Reminder Date: July 6, 2020 Nursing Facility Testing Resources The Executive Office of Health and Human Services is requiring that nursing facilities implement a surveillance testing program as of July 1st beginning with a baseline testing of 90% of their staff who previously tested negative. Staff testing must be

Mass Senior Care is pleased to welcome new members to our Association, including Savoy Nursing and Rehab Center in New Bedford, a 39-bed skilled nursing facility owed by Didie Watsop.

Mass Senior Care urges members to please contact your Member of Congress to support nursing facilities, their residents, and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please ask your Member of Congress to urge Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to provide a special payment to nursing facilities that have and continue to care for COVID-19 patients, many of whom are now recovered.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Message on Surveillance Testing and Governor Baker Announces Offer Free COVID-19 Testing in Select Municipalities Date: July 8, 2020 EOHHS Issues Reminder on Surveillance Testing: Laboratory Samples Long term care facilities are reminded to independently coordinate testing for staff and residents with a testing provider. The state has provided a directory of testing options that facilities may make use of. Facilities should NOT send samples

The Department of Public Health last week released a memo providing clarifications to long term care visitor policies and establishing guidance on communal dining and outdoor group activities with appropriate precautions (masks, social distancing, etc).

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Data Submission Reporting and User Guide; DPH and CMS Call Reminders Date: July 7, 2020 DPH Issues Data Submission Reporting Memo and User Guide for Chapter 93 of the Acts of 2020 The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued a memorandum and User Guide that provide instructions for how nursing homes and rest homes are to report daily to DPH the number of COVID-19 cases

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: REMINDER: Weekly Reporting Filing Due TODAY (Monday, July 6th) – CHIA Portal Date: July 6, 2020 As part of the MassHealth Phase 2 Funding for COVID-19 which provides up to an additional $130 million (50% increase) in monthly funding for May and June, nursing facilities are required to submit weekly reports to the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to monitor measures related to staffing levels, COVID-19

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: MassHealth Issues COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Requirements for NFs Date: July 3, 2020 MassHealth Issues COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Requirements for NFs (NF Bulletin 148) EOHHS has issued MassHealth Nursing Facility Bulletin 148: COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Requirements for Nursing Facilities . MassHealth is requiring that nursing facilities conduct baseline testing of 90% of their staff who previously tested negative no later than

On June 25th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to end the emergency blanket waiver requiring all nursing homes to resume submitting staffing data through the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system by August 14, 2020.

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has announced the availability of an additional $22M in special Emergency Solutions Grant COVID-19 (ESG-CV) Round Two funding to provide medium-term measures to address homelessness.

This week The Berkshire Eagle published an op-ed, “COVID stats don't measure courage, compassion” by William C. Jones, President of Berkshire Healthcare Systems and Past-Chair of the Mass Senior Care Association.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released a memo specifying a surveillance testing strategy for all long-term care settings, including nursing homes, rest homes, and assisted living residences. Long term care providers should conduct new baseline testing of staff who previously tested negative no later than July 19, 2020, and adopt a surveillance testing program using this regimen.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: EOHHS Releases Guidance Regarding LTC Visitor Policies and Communal Dining Date: July 2, 2020 The Department of Public Health released a memo this afternoon providing clarifications to long term care visitor policies and establishing guidance on communal dining and outdoor group activities.

Updated Preparing for COVID-19 in Nursing Homes

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, which is issued by SNF and other providers submitting claims for Medicare items and services to beneficiaries in situations where Medicare payment is expected to be denied.

MassHealth announced via an email to Nursing Home Administrators that it will be conducting its mandatory quarterly Nursing Facility Occupancy Survey for the July 1 census date. In the email, MassHealth indicated that the census survey will now be conducted on behalf of MassHealth by the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: Updated Guidance Expected to be Released from EOHHS Regarding Outdoor Visitation, Outdoor Congregate Activities and Communal Dining Date: July 2, 2020 Mass Senior Care Association anticipates that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services will issue guidance today or tomorrow to allow, with appropriate precautions (masks, social distancing, etc.) outdoor congregate activities and communal dining. In addition, the guidance for outdoor visits will be amended

CHIA Announces 2019 Cost Reports Are Now Available for Submission

Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar on July 1, 2020 titled, Are you ready for the COVID-19 Focus Survey? Our presenters, Lisa Thomson and Sue LaGrange, provided keen insights and updates related to COVID-19 Focus Survey. The session also provided leadership strategies for preparation and response to the focus survey. Below is the link and password to access the webinar recording. The link and password are valid until 7/30/2020. Webinar Resources Webinar Recording Access Password: 2T#gH09^ Webinar Slides

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: EOHHS Announces Long Term Care Facility Surveillance Testing Program – Supplemental Funding to Cover Testing Costs Date: July 1, 2020 The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released a memo specifying a surveillance testing strategy for all long-term care settings, including nursing homes, rest homes, and assisted living residences. Long term care providers should conduct new baseline testing of staff who previously tested negative no later than July 19

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: New Filing Process for MassHealth NF Census; Register Now for National Nursing Home Learning Network Webinar Date: July 1, 2020 MassHealth NF Census for July 1 – New Filing Process through UMASS MassHealth announced via an email to Nursing Home Administrators that it will be conducting its mandatory quarterly Nursing Facility Occupancy Survey for the July 1 census date. In the email, MassHealth indicated that the

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Temporary Nursing Services Surge Rates Expire Today; COVID-19 Survey Activities Date: June 30, 2020 Temporary Nursing Services (TNS) COVID-19 Surge Rates Expires Today On May 8 th , the Executive Office of Health and Human Services increased the Maximum Allowable Price for Temporary Nursing Services for a 2-month period covering May 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020. This temporary increase was designed to allow TNS agencies

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID19 Updates: SNF Billing Guidance; Interim Financial Report Due Tomorrow (6/30); Update on PBJ Blanket Waiver; DPH Weekly Call Reminder Date: June 29, 2020 CMS Updates SNF Billing Guidance Related to Three-Day Stay, Spell-of-Illness Waivers ​The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on June 26 updated SNF billing guidance related to Medicare beneficiaries receiving care when a SNF utilizes the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) three-day stay

Sustaining Successful Outcomes: From Audits to Action Plans to Performance Improvement This webinar will guide leaders on how to incorporate audit results and individualized action plans into the QAPI process in order to educate and promote sustained compliance. Leaders will learn 3 strategies to target performance improvement efforts and operationalize action steps into successful outcomes. Presenters: Susan LaGrange, RN, BSN, NHA, CDONA™, FACDONA, CIMT, IP-BC™ Director of Education Pathway Health Lisa Thomson, BA, LNHA, HSE, CIMT Chief Strategy and Marketing

REMINDER: Interim Financial Report – Facilities Must Complete Form by June 30th. SCHEDULE A AND SCHEDULE B Must be Completed (Do NOT Omit Information)

Actors, athletes, musical artists, and celebrities from all across America honor the heroes working every day in long term care keeping vulnerable seniors and individuals with disabilities safe from COVID-19. Click here to watch this special video tribute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkpNCH_WAn4

State and Federal Focused surveys are increasing in number as the focus on Infection Prevention and Control continues for our members. Join Mass Senior Care for this engaging presentation that will provide the participant with key leadership strategies to implement and operationalize the CMS COVID-19 Focused Survey.

Two op-eds in local newspapers recognizes CNAs, our heroes on the front lines who work and provide care in skilled nursing facilities and long term care facilities across the Commonwealth. National Nursing Assistants Week which kicked off on Thursday, June 18th, acknowledges the valuable contributions made by members of your staff every day—especially the Certified Nursing Assistants who provide quality care to residents.

Healthcentric Advisors invites you to join them on Tuesday, June 30th from 11am-12pm to hear how Berkshire HealthCare Systems navigated their COVID-19 journey and learn effective COVID-response strategies to manage infection control, PPE, communication, staffing, and clinical care.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives yesterday engrossed a FY 2020 supplemental budget that included an amendment sponsored by Chairman Tom Golden, Jr. (D-Lowell) that would establish a state-funded, adaptive nursing facility surveillance testing program in the Commonwealth.

KTS, Inc., of Stoneham, MA, offers reliable and highly effective solutions for senior care facilities, ranging from cohorting to communications infrastructure. With 35 years of experience working with leading hospitals and nursing homes throughout the Greater Boston area, KTS has the expertise, training and services to quickly and safely provide the quality solutions needed to help long-term care facilities successfully navigate through the pandemic, as well as potential future outbreaks. Contact: Alan Welch, Director of Sales.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID19 Updates: House Approves Surveillance Testing Amendment; Register Now for Friday’s Infection Control Webinar Date: June 24, 2020 House Approves Chairman Golden’s Surveillance Testing Amendment The House today engrossed a FY 2020 supplemental budget that included Representative Tom Golden’s amendment that would establish a state-funded, adaptive nursing facility surveillance testing program in the Commonwealth. Thank you to Mass Senior Care members who participated in our legislative action alert

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID19 Updates: Register Now for Friday’s Infection Control Webinar; Weekly Call Reminders; Updated CARES Act Provider Relief Fund FAQ Date: June 23, 2020 Register for Infection Control Webinar on Friday, June 26th : Sustaining Successful Outcomes: From Audits to Action Plans to Performance Improvement Mass Senior Care Association will host a webinar this Friday, June 26 th , Sustaining Successful Outcomes: From Audits to Action Plans to Performance

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Updates FAQs for Interim Financial Report; Register Now for this Week’s Infection Control webinar Date: June 22, 2020 EOHHS UPDATES Interim Financial Report FAQ and Filing Instructions EOHHS has updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and the Filing Instructions for the NF COVID-19 Supplemental Payment Interim Filing, for purposes of clarification. The additional 4 questions (#17 through #21) are listed at the end of

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Signing Bonuses for Eligible New Hires; MassHealth Limited Coverage Expanded; Infection Control Webinar; National CNA Week Op-Ed Date: June 19, 2020 Signing Bonuses for Nursing Facility Staff – Enroll Eligible New Hires Thru Portal By Today MassHealth has issued Nursing Facility Bulletin 147, Signing Bonuses for Nursing Facility Staff and AB 20-48, in regard to signing bonuses for nursing facility staff. The Bulletin describes the procedures

Webinar - Engaging Leadership: How to Hold Your Staff Accountable Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m., Engaging Leadership: How to Hold Your Staff Accountable. This session helps leaders learn how to be more productive and engage their team in sustaining Infection Prevention efforts by making them feel that their actions matter. Developing and assisting middle managers is one of the key strategies to this process. Learn more about 3 implementation strategies to

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Signing Bonuses for Eligible New Hires; MassHealth Limited Coverage Expanded; Infection Control Webinar; National CNA Week Op-Ed Date: June 19, 2020 Signing Bonuses for Nursing Facility Staff – Enroll Eligible New Hires Thru Portal By Today MassHealth has issued Nursing Facility Bulletin 147, Signing Bonuses for Nursing Facility Staff and AB 20-48, in regard to signing bonuses for nursing facility staff. The Bulletin describes the procedures

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Interim Financial Report Excel Worksheet; MSCA Requests Continued COVID-19 Funding; Register Now for Tomorrow’s Infection Control Webinar Date: June 18, 2020 Interim Financial Report Excel Worksheet Template for Internal Use EOHHS has provided an Interim Financial Report EXCEL Worksheet template for facilities that wish to input the data internally before posting officially on the UMASS portal. The official filing must be filed by June 30 th