Member Resources

• 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

Don't Miss Out!

On April 16, 2025, CMS released a new resource Essential Survey Information for CMS-Certified Providers on the survey process and common requests providers may receive during surveys. CMS states the toolkit is intended to help providers navigate the survey process effectively.

As a reminder, the CMS revisions to Appendix PP of the CMS State Operations Manual went into effect on April 28, 2025. Surveyors will be using the revised guidance during annual surveys.

CMS and DPH require nursing homes to report Health Care Personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination data via the CDC’s NHSN and make the data available to DPH in NHSN. Nursing homes are required to submit healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza data to the CDC’s NHSN by May 15, 2025.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created regulations under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 to reduce hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions.

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) is right around the corner, running from Sunday, May 11 through Saturday, May 17, 2025. This special week is a great time to celebrate all who live and work in nursing facilities. The American Health Care Association (AHCA) has deemed this year’s theme "Tapestry of Life”, which highlights the meaningful stories that make up each person’s journey in skilled nursing care.

Join us Wednesday, May 14th at the DCU Center in Worcester for an action-packed day at the 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show. In addition to learning from dynamic speakers addressing issues impacting long term care providers, over 50 leading sponsors and exhibitors will be on site at our Trade Show & Luncheon, showcasing the latest products and services you need to know about. Network. Discover. Learn. Whether you're looking to make valuable connections, stay ahead of industry trends, or just soak up some fresh ideas—you need to be in the room. Don’t wait, spots are filling fast! Register now and secure your place at the 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show!

The House yesterday evening engrossed its FY 2026 budget recommendation totaling $61.5 billion. We are pleased to report that the House’s recommendation provides $132 million in new Medicaid nursing facility funding.

On April 17, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the allocation of $9.7 million through the Community College Nursing Grant to expand workforce training in key health care roles across Massachusetts. The funding will support noncredit Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant programs at all 15 of the Commonwealth’s public community colleges, with the goal of training approximately 1,125 students.