Member Resources

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.

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 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.

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.

On August 2, 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration posted for public comment a proposal to amend Massachusetts’ Section 1115 Demonstration (“1115 Demonstration”). The amendment proposes additional innovative flexibilities under the 1115 Demonstration that was approved on September 28, 2022.

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 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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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