Member Resources

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)

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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: 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

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Issues Interim Financial Report Template and FAQ; Register Now for Infection Control Webinar: Engaging Leadership: How to Hold Your Staff Accountable Date: June 17, 2020 EOHHS Issues Interim Financial Report Template and FAQ – (1) Users Must Register by June 19 th and (2) Filing Due on June 30 th EOHHS today issued the Interim Financial Report (1) Accounting Form Template, (2) COVID 19 Supplemental

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: NHSN Reporting Citations and CMPs Rescinded; CMS Nursing Home Webinar Now Open for Registration Date: June 16, 2020 NHSN Reporting Citations and CMPs Rescinded Some members have begun to receive notices in CASPER rescinding the F884 citation and Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) they were given for allegedly not reporting complete information to NHSN about COVID-19 in the standardized format and frequency specified by CMS and CDC

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: PPE Webinar for Ancillary Staff; Interim Financial Report Reminder; Weekly Call Reminders Date: June 15, 2020 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use for Ancillary Staff and Cleaning and Disinfection The Mass Senior Care Long Term Care Command Center continues to provide infection control assistance to nursing facilities and has developed a recorded webinar, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use for Ancillary Staff and Cleaning and Disinfection. This webinar

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Reminder on Use of COVID-19 Stimulus Funds Date: June 13, 2020 CMS Issues Press Release on Nursing Home Residents’ Right to Retain Federal Economic Incentive Payments While acknowledging that CMS has not received any specific complaints regarding an improper use of the COVID-19 stimulus funds, the agency this week issued a press release noting that it is important for residents and families to know their rights

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Interim Financial Report Action Needed by June 19 th ; CMS Issuing Citations Related to NHSN Reporting Requirements Date: June 11, 2020 Interim Financial Report – Facilities Need to Designate Individual(s) Who Will Be Filing Report – Registration Required by June 19 th Nursing facilities are required to file an Interim Financial Report by June 30 th with EOHHS to account for the manner in which

The Massachusetts Senior Care Association looks forward to celebrating National Nursing Assistants Week which kicks off on Thursday, June 18th. 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. We are pleased to again make available FREE Certificates of Appreciation to distribute to your CNAs.

During this COCA call, presenters will use case-based scenarios to discuss how to apply infection prevention and control guidance for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that are preparing for and responding to COVID-19.

Today at 1:30 p.m., staff and caregivers of long term care facilities joined Massachusetts Senior Care Association and healthcare colleagues across the state in a collective moment of silence and reflection on the tragic and senseless death of Mr. George Floyd, and others like it. We believe all individuals and organizations should come together to lift our collective voices in calling for healing, justice, unity, and change.

Nursing facilities are facing an unprecedented workforce and financial crisis that is being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mass Senior Care Board of Directors voted in February 2020 to support the Nursing Home Ballot Initiative which would allow voters to create a permanent and critical law requiring the state to adequately fund and support nursing home care.

Memorandum To: MSCA Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS COVID-19 Focused Surveys; Last Day to Schedule National Guard for Testing Date: June 10, 2020 CMS COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes On June 1, 2020 CMS released guidance to State Survey Agencies on the completion of Focused Infection Control Nursing Home Surveys and additional COVID-19 survey activities. In addition, CMS released the following survey documents related to these surveys: Summary Table of COVID-19 Focused Survey COVID-19

Along with the rest of the country, we were shocked by the tragic and senseless death of Mr. George Floyd. As we listen, learn and reflect on this tragedy, and others like it, we believe all individuals and organizations should use this moment to come together to lift our collective voices in calling for healing, justice, unity and change. Leaders of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association and other organizations are joining together in observing an outdoor moment of silence and reflection at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11th.

Governor Baker yesterday signed into law An Act Addressing COVID-19 Data Collection and Disparities in Treatment, which directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to compile data each day on the COVID-19 outbreak from local boards of health and any entities over which it has regulatory authority including nursing facilities and long term care facilities licensed under DPH.

Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar, Solution to Frontline Staffing Shortages: Resident Care Assistants (RCAs). Nursing facilities were facing workforce shortages prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now more than ever members need innovative workforce solutions to provide additional staffing support in order to meet residents' needs. This webinar will highlight the newly recognized role of Resident Care Assistants (RCAs) which can support CNAs and nursing staff in skilled nursing facilities and create a training pipeline to critically needed CNAs

Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar, Role of the PPE Coach, on June 5, 2020 at 1:00 pm as we review the role of the PPE Coach and how to incorporate this role in process surveillance for proper PPE use. In addition, this program will outline the daily responsibilities, and the importance of the PPE Coach in the ongoing training and education of staff. Presenters: Susan LaGrange, RN, BSN, NHA, CDONA™, FACDONA, CIMT, IP-BC™ Director of Education Pathway Health Lisa

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Posts Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results on Nursing Home Compare Date: June 5, 2020 CMS Posts Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results on Nursing Home Compare Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the first set of COVID-19 nursing home data on its Nursing Home Compare website. Nursing homes are required to report COVID-19 cases and deaths directly to

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Posts Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results on Nursing Home Compare Date: June 5, 2020 CMS Posts Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspections Results on Nursing Home Compare Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the first set of COVID-19 nursing home data on its Nursing Home Compare website. Nursing homes are required to report COVID-19 cases and deaths directly to

The Department of Family and Medical Leave has announced a hearing scheduled to discuss the revised regulations for June 11th. Since there are still limitations on the number of people allowed at a gathering, the Department will not be holding any in- person hearings. The Department will, therefore, be conducting one WebEx hearing on June 11th at 10 a.m.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes the need to adjust requirements for long-term care facilities as they face extraordinary difficulties during the COVID-19 crisis. Through various waivers, CMS is making it easier for you to continue providing excellent care while managing new challenges in the face of the ongoing pandemic. The safety of your patients and staff remains a top concern which is why CMS has instituted the 1135 Fire Drill Waiver for Specific Life Safety Code

Due to the current restrictions on public gatherings related to the COVID-19 public health crisis, Mass Senior Care Association is cancelling our Spring Conference & Trade Show scheduled for June 16th at the DCU Center in Worcester. Our first priority is to help maintain the health and safety of our staff and residents and we all look forward to the day when we can gather together to shake a hand, give a hug and connect with colleagues live and in person!

Nursing facilities are facing an unprecedented workforce and financial crisis that is being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mass Senior Care Board of Directors voted in February 2020 to support the Nursing Home Ballot Initiative which would allow voters to create a permanent and critical law requiring the state to adequately fund and support nursing home care.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: DPH Guidance on Training and Supervision Requirements for Nurse Aides and Feeding Assistants; Register for Tomorrow’s Webinar on the Role of the PPE Coach Date: June 4, 2020 DPH Releases Guidance on training and supervision requirements for nurse aides and feeding assistants The Department of Public Health has released guidance on the hiring of nurse aides and the training and supervision of these aides. This guidance

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: Revised Notification Guidelines; Webinar Reminders; EOHHS Updated FAQs Date: June 3, 2020 Revised Notification Guidelines AHCA/NCAL has updated the COVID-19 Reporting and Notification Guidelines for Nursing Homes , according to the new regulations for notifying residents, representatives and families of COVID cases that went into effect on May 8, 2020. These guidelines supplement the information in this detailed summary According to CMS, you must report the total number of

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: Tomorrow (June 3rd) is the deadline to file the Attestation for Medicare FFS Provider Relief Payment Date: June 2, 2020 AHCA has provided the following information related to the June 3 rd attestation deadline in regard to the Medicare FFS Provider Relief Payment. This morning the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services clarified that the June 3 deadline for providers to submit revenue data: Is only for providers who received a

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: June 1 st CMS Memorandum; Register for Workforce Webinar; EOHHS Issues Administrative Bulletin on Baseline Testing Supplemental Payments; Updated Guidance on Proper Use of COVID-19 Waivers Claim Codes and Weekly DPH and CMS Call Reminders Date: June 2, 2020 CMS Releases Memorandum on COVID-19 Survey Activities, CARES Act Funding, Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control deficiencies, and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes On June 1st, CMS

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Evening Edition – New Guidance on In-Person Visitations; Update on National Guard Testing; Tablet Donation Survey Date: June 1, 2020 Guidance on Limitations on Visitors in Long-Term Care Facilities during the COVID-19 Outbreak The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) released new guidance permitting long-term care facilities to allow in-person visitation in a designated outdoor visitation space, provided that the long-term care facility implements all of

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: REMINDERS: (1) CHIA Weekly Reporting Due TODAY - Monday, June 1 st , and (2) Video Conferencing for Residents Date: June 1, 2020 This is a reminder that the 4 th CHIA Nursing Home Weekly data report is due today, Monday, June 1st. As a condition of MassHealth supplemental funding, nursing facilities are required to comply with this administrative requirement by submitting weekly data updated on the CHIA

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: REMINDERS: (1) CHIA Weekly Reporting Due TODAY - Monday, June 1st, and (2) Video Conferencing for Residents Date: June 1, 2020 This is a reminder that the 4th CHIA Nursing Home Weekly data report is due today, Monday, June 1st. As a condition of MassHealth supplemental funding, nursing facilities are required to comply with this administrative requirement by submitting weekly data updated on the CHIA submissions portal. Please

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Video Conferencing Reminder; MassHealth Clinical Audits; Clarification on PPE Guidance Date: May 29, 2020 Reminder: Video Conferencing for Residents Must Be in Place by May 31 st to Meet MassHealth COVID-19 Supplemental Payments Criteria Nursing facilities are required to provide all residents access to regular video conferencing by May 31, 2020, for the purpose of enabling live video communications with family members. It is recommended that

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Technology Requirement for Virtual Visits; Legislature Passes COVID-19 Reporting Bill Date: May 28, 2020 Reminder: Video Conferencing for Residents Must Be in Place by May 31 st to Meet MassHealth COVID-19 Supplemental Payments Criteria To be eligible for the final 3 MassHealth Supplemental Payments in the ‘Up to 50%’ COVID-19 surge program which is providing up to $130 million in additional funding for a 2-month period

Webinar - Identified areas of non-compliance Massachusetts Nursing Home Infection Control Competency Checklist Audits Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar on May 29, 2020 at 1:00 pm to review the results of the first round of Massachusetts Nursing Home Infection Control Competency Audits and areas identified as requiring improvement. Included in this webinar are tips and recommendations to achieve compliance on the core competency items as well as other as other areas on the Infection Control Competency Checklist. Presenters: Helen