Member Resources

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The UMass Lowell Solomont School of Nursing has launched an exciting new program that makes it possible for Registered Nurses (RNs) to obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS) fully on line in as little as one year.

With the recent release of Quarter 4 of 2024 Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data, the amount of temporary nursing service (TNS) contract labor being utilized by Massachusetts’ nursing facilities decreased again compared to Quarter 3 of 2024.

The House Reconciliation Bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would have a disproportionate negative impact on community colleges and the students they serve.

DPH is requesting all long-term care facilities currently engaged with a management company (“Management company”, an organization engaged by a licensee to manage the operations at a long-term care facility) to submit specific information by tomorrow, May 30, 2025.

The draft Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version (v)1.20.1v3-Section_R_removed and Item Matrix v1.20.1v3-Section_R_removed are now available in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page. The MDS Item Sets v1.20.1 will be effective beginning October 1, 2025.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in a State Medicaid Director letter increased federal oversight in regard to state use of federal Medicaid dollars to cover health care for individuals who are in the country illegally.

Join AHCA/NCAL in Las Vegas, NV for their annual Convention & Expo! Delivering Solutions 25 emphasizes AHCA/NCAL’s commitment to improving the quality of life for residents in long term care and assisted living facilities.

Mass Senior Care is proud to announce that Stephanie Bruno, MS, LNHA, the Executive Director at Alliance Health at Rosewood, has been selected by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) as a future leader in long term and post-acute care. Stephanie will participate in the nineteenth annual “Future Leaders of Long Term Care (LTC) in America” program hosted by AHCA/NCAL, which provides year-long training and mentorship for professionals in long term and post-acute care.

• FY 2026 Budget Conference Committee Appointed • MAVRIC Launch – June 2

• CMS Increased Oversight - Federal Medicaid Funding for Illegal Immigrants • Proposed Federal Financial Aide Cuts Raise Concerns for Massachusetts • UMass Lowell Launches Fully On-Line RN to BS Degree Program

• Nursing Facility Temporary Nursing Service (TNS) Agency Usage Data Trend • REMINDER: Expanded Suitability Review and Management Companies

Don't miss out on these important education programs!

On May 13th, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Federal Register notice of termination of the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. The termination is effective July 14, 2025. Absent court intervention, after July 14, 2025, nationals of Afghanistan who have been granted TPS under Afghanistan’s designation will no longer have TPS or work authorizations.

On May 19th, the U.S. Supreme Court, in an emergency order with only one noted dissent, authorized the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants currently residing in the United States.

As a reminder, the mandatory off-cycle SNF provider enrollment revalidation deadline has been pushed back to August 1, 2025. On Friday, May 9th, the CMS posted updated sub-regulatory guidance addressing a number of frequently asked questions.

Nursing facilities are reminded to remain diligent in their infection control practices to limit the spread of COVID-19 to residents and staff. At the expiration of the PHE, DPH released guidance on Organizational Policies and Procedures for Mitigating Respiratory Illness. Nursing facilities must continue to identify and monitor respiratory illness metrics to indicate when there are increased levels which may necessitate implementing these infection control measures.

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. The Act requires the Department of Public Health (DPH), among other actions, to conduct a suitability review of current management company contracts and to conduct a review of a management company prior to entering into a contract with a long-term care facility.

CMS issued a notice acknowledging that access to the reporting of the annual National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Personnel data was not available for a short time on the original due date of May 15th and, therefore, has extended the deadline for reporting this information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention NHSN to today, Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET.

The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence on May 12th held a public hearing on a series of bills related to home and community-based services, Assisted Living Residences and Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Tara Gregorio, President of Mass Senior Care, filed written testimony to the Committee on two bills of particular importance to the nursing facility provider community.

Governor Healey introduced an updated five-year plan to make Massachusetts more age- and dementia-friendly. Called ReiMAgine Aging 2030: The Massachusetts Plan, the plan looks at the needs of the state’s aging population and the challenges they face.

Earlier this week, Governor Maura Healey posted a new public dashboard displaying the total amount of federal funding cuts to Massachusetts state agencies. To date, $362 million in direct funding to the Commonwealth has been cut, including over $100 million for various Department of Public Health (DPH) prevention programs as well as disaster prevention aid.

Join AHCA/NCAL in Las Vegas, NV for their annual Convention & Expo! Delivering Solutions 25 emphasizes AHCA/NCAL’s commitment to improving the quality of life for residents in long term care and assisted living facilities. Early bird registration ends on June 17th.

Administrative, clinical, and operations staff from nursing facilities across Massachusetts gathered at the DCU Center in Worcester on May 14th for Mass Senior Care Association’s (MSCA) 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show. The event offered a day of insight, education and networking, anchored by a keynote from Clif Porter, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).

• House Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill • FDA Will Limit Covid Vaccines • CMS Rolls Out Aggressive Strategy: Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan Audits • Skilled Nursing Facilities: Identify & Prevent Improper Part D Payments for Drugs • UMass’s Preceptor Academy Hosting Webinar • Informal Dispute Resolution Meeting

• IRF/LTCH/SNF QRP CDC Data Submission Deadline Extended to Friday, May 23, 2025

• Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to End TPS for Venezuelans • Governor Healey Posts Public Dashboard - Direct Federal Funding Cuts • ReiMAgine Aging 2030: The Massachusetts Plan • REMINDER: Expanded Suitability Review and Management Companies

• Governor Signs Into Law Supplemental Budget Bill • MassHealth PNA Annual Accounting • EOHHS Administrative Bulletin

HCP Flu Vaccination Reporting Due Today!

• 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