Member Resources

CDC has launched a new mini webinar training series for frontline long-term care and nursing home staff. This series of 5 short webinars reviews basic infection prevention steps including: proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and facemasks, how and when to perform hand hygiene, how and when to clean surfaces, and the need to check residents and staff daily for symptoms of COVID-19.

The Interim final rule from CMS last night also delays implementation of new MDS items for SNF QRP. This delay will enable SNFs to continue using the current version of the MDS 3.0 v1.17.1. CMS will require SNFs to collect data on the transfer of health information measures and SPADES data on October 1 of the 1st of the year that is at least two full fiscal years after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

This week clinical audits have begun for nursing facilities statewide. As discussed on the webinar last week, nursing facilities are being assessed on 5 core competencies included in the Infection Control Competency Checklist.

Mass Senior Care has learned the Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) is planning to provide further testing guidance later this week. EOHHS has indicated that to meet this requirement, baseline testing will now be defined as 90% of residents being tested and 90% of employed staff who were tested on or after April 8th.

To further assist nursing facilities in meeting the May 25th requirement to conduct baseline COVID-19 testing on residents and staff, below is a summary of testing options. While the Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) will provide further testing guidance in the next day, EOHHS has indicated that to meet this requirement baseline will be defined as 90% of residents being tested and 90% of employed staff who were tested on or after April 8th.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Communicative Technology for Long Term Care Facilities; Webinar to Review Cohorting and PPE; DPH Weekly Call Reminder; CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Call Date: May 6, 2020 Communicative Technology for LTCFs - Application for Funding The Department of Public Health has announced that it is making funding available to nursing homes and rest homes to purchase communicative technology. Please note that there are different requirements and corresponding documents

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: Baseline Testing of Nursing Home Residents and Staff - Complete Enclosed Survey Date: May 2, 2020 As a condition of the Commonwealth’s Phase 2 $130 million investment in nursing facility care, all nursing facilities must adhere to a number of criteria including core infection control competencies, data reporting and baseline COVID-19 testing. Facilities are required to perform baseline testing by May 25, 2020. The Executive Office of Health &

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: New Effective Date for Reporting Requirements; CDC Webinars on New Covid-19 Module; FEMA PPE Shipments Date: May 3, 2020 New Reporting Requirements for Nursing Homes Effective May 1 In Update #56, we communicated about CMS release of an interim final rule with comment period which revises § 483.80, establishing explicit reporting requirements for long-term care (LTC) facilities to report information related to COVID-19 cases among facility residents

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Mandatory Weekly Report; CMS Blanket Regulatory Waivers; CDC Updates Date: May 1, 2020 Mandatory Weekly Reporting for Phase 2 MassHealth Funding Begins on Monday, May 11 th 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, all nursing facility providers are required to report certain metrics related to staffing

Jodi Ouimette, Administrator at Williamstown Common Nursing & Rehabilitation Center shared her story of courage and hope from the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviewed by Congressman Joe Kennedy III, Jodi discussed how her and the staff came together to protect residents and honor their lives during these challenging times.

On Thursday, June 11th, the NASW-MA Chapter is hosting a virtual conference focused on the social work crisis response to serving older adults in residential care.

There are two upcoming webinar series from Mass Senior Care Associate Members, HealthPRO Heritage and Marcum. Clinical reimbursement experts at HealthPRO Heritage presents a three-part webinar series focused on strategies and solutions to assure cash flow and to compliantly optimize revenue during the current COVID-19 and PDPM challenges. Experts from Marcum will provide a webinar on stimulus funding applicable to the healthcare industry in their Coronavirus and the Healthcare Industry webinar series.

Earlier this week, Monster.com, in collaboration with Mass Senior Care Association and the MIT COVID-19 Alliance, launched the Home to Help Senior Care Initiative, bringing 1,200 long term care job postings on the career site, at no cost, to members. Each member nursing facility will have four job postings including Resident Care Assistants, CNAs, LPNs and RNs, which offers a $1,000 state-sponsored signing bonus to individuals beginning work in long-term care facilities by May 15th.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: DPH Updates Guidance on Caring for LTC Residents; Webinar Reminder; Reporting Requirement Extensions Date: April 29, 2020 DPH Updates Guidance on Caring for Long-Term Residents during the COVID-19 Emergency The DPH released updated guidance on Caring for Long-Term Residents during the COVID-19 Emergency. Important updates include: Residents should be asked about COVID-19 symptoms and must have their temperatures checked a minimum of two times per day. Limiting

Today, Monster.com in collaboration with Mass Senior Care Association and the MIT COVID-19 Alliance has launched the Home to Help Senior Care Initiative, bringing 1,200 long term care job postings on the career site, at no cost, to members. Each member nursing facility will have four job postings including Resident Care Assistants, CNAs, LPNs and RNs, which offers a $1,000 state-sponsored signing bonus to individuals beginning work in long-term care facilities by May 15th.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: Webinar on Medicaid Supplemental Payments: Phase 2, Up To An Additional 50% Increase Date: April 28, 2020 As a follow-up to Governor Baker Administration’s announcement yesterday on Phase 2 of Medicaid Supplemental Payments, EOHHS will host a webinar at 8 pm tonight to review documents, expectations and compliance timelines. You can join the webinar: Over the phone: +1-866-692-3580; 647212342# Over the internet: https://statema.webex.com/join/whitney.moyer ​​You do not need to register

Mass Senior Care in collaboration with Hebrew SeniorLife will host a webinar on Thursday, April 30, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm to provide a comprehensive overview of the Infection Control Competency Checklist and as well as the opportunity for questions and answers either within the time of the webinar or thereafter.

MassHealth has issued Nursing Facility Bulletin 145 regarding the Infection Control Competencies and Expectations for Nursing Facilities to qualify for the Phase 2 Medicaid supplemental payments totaling up to 50%. As noted yesterday, this second round of funding provides up to $130 million (additional 50%) for two months for nursing homes that attest and meet specific accountability requirements that are consistent with CMS, CDC and DPH infection control guidance. Specifically, facilities are required to file an attestation on or before April 30th in regard to the 28-point Infection Control checklist.

As a follow-up to Governor Baker Administration’s announcement yesterday on Phase 2 of Medicaid Supplemental Payments, EOHHS will host a webinar at 8 pm tonight to review documents, expectations and compliance timelines.

Today's memo includes COVID-19 updates on Medicaid supplemental payments; Infection Control Competency Checklist; CMS Updates and DPH Weekly Call Reminder

Mass Senior Care provided members with an update on Medicaid Supplemental Payments which would provide significant additional funding for nursing homes to address the COVID-19 pandemic surge.

Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar, Federal Funding Assistance for COVID-19 Response and Recovery, on April 27, 2020. Featuring experts from Hagerty Consulting, this webinar will review the federal funding opportunities for disaster relief programs. Federal funding programs may provide an opportunity for some organizations to better respond to and recover from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, but they are complex and often lack clarity. Proactive, strategic, and expert management of eligible activities, costs, and documentation requirements may help promote successful

Massachusetts Senior Care Association has partnered with MIT’s COVID-19 Policy Alliance to stand up a Long Term Care Coordinating Center to assist member facilities during this crisis. Mass Senior Care staff have been working closely with MIT’s COVID-19 Policy Alliance – a team of MIT Sloan School of Management faculty and experts, led by Professors Kate Kellogg, Simon Johnson and Retsef Levi.

Maximizing the use of technology has been critical to keeping long term care residents and staff educated about COVID-19 and connected to their loved ones and communities. Mass Senior Care Association is pleased to share its online video library and we encourage you to view and share the videos described below.

Mass Senior Care will be offering a complimentary webinar, "Federal Funding Assistance for COVID-19 Response and Recovery" on Monday, April 27th from 4:00-5:00 pm. Featuring experts from Hagerty Consulting, this webinar will review the federal funding opportunities for disaster relief programs.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey launched a new website, www.FrontlineMA.org to provide health care workers and first responders in Massachusetts with key resources. The website in collaboration with HubSpot and IDEO, is in response to the urgent need for centralized information for frontline workers including safe housing, hotels, self-care, and emergency child care services.

Last week, Barry and Mary Giller of Milford, MA, a husband and wife duo, were the first patients discharged from Beaumont Rehab and Skilled Nursing Center in Worcester after fully recovering from COVID-19.

Food = Gratitude Project, a campaign initiated by the Massachusetts Health Council, brings meals to staff working in long term care facilities, community health centers and YMCA child care centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the Food=Gratitude Project delivered meals to The Boston Home in Dorchester and next week will be partnering with Christopher House in Worcester.

In this memo we are providing you with updates on: Additional Provider Relief Funds Distributed; Command Center Halts Self-Test Kits for Nursing Homes, Rest Homes and Assisted Living Residences; Update on Pending Requirement for National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Reporting; Updated: Steps to Limit COVID-19 Spread and Outbreaks in Long Term Care; and Resource for Staff to Embrace Social Distancing

In this memo we are providing you with updates on: MassHealth Monthly Supplemental Payment; Reminders: Weekly DPH and CMS Calls; Complimentary Webinar: Federal Funding Assistance for COVID-19 Response and Recovery; and Update on National Skilled Nursing Care Week

On Monday, April 20th, Mass Senior Care hosted "Crisis Communications for LTC Providers During COVID-19" webinar for Mass Senior Care provider members. Handouts include Crisis Communications Tips for Members; Sample Press Statement.

In this memo we are providing you with updates on: CMS Issues New Recommendations for Guidelines For Opening Up America Again; Upcoming Requirements for Notification of Confirmed COVID-19 or PUI Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes; Commonwealth Magazine Media Coverage; Nebulizing Guidance

In this memo we are providing you with updates on: Boston Globe Op-Ed Calls for Immediate Action to Protect Nursing Facility Staff and Residents; CDC Updated Criteria for Return to Work; Governor Baker Signs Into Law Liability Protections for Health Care Workers and Facilities; Mass Senior Care Offers Crisis Communications Webinar – April 20th

In this memo we are providing you with updates on: Governor Baker Announces Crisis Management Help for Long Term Care Facilities Updates to Provider Relief Fund Website Long-Term Care Staffing Portal Offers $1,000 Sign on Bonus Mass Senior Care and MIT Partner to Support Nursing Facility Residents, Families and Staff Recommendations to Facilitate the Transfer of Deceased Residents from Nursing Homes Recommendations for When a Resident Wants to Leave the Building Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) practices in Assisted Living Facilities

“Thank you for taking such wonderful care of my mom!” “The staff at my dad’s facility are the best!” These testimonials are just two of the sentiments expressed in the many hundreds of letters, cards, signs, gifts and social media posts family members have shared to let staff know just how much they value the extraordinary care they are providing to their loved ones during this most challenging public health crisis. We continue to be awed by the selfless acts of kindness and compassion, not to mention personal sacrifices, staff perform every day in an effort to keep residents safe, healthy and connected to their loved ones.

To address staffing challenges in nursing facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commonwealth last week stood up a Long-Term Care Staffing Portal. Today, the Command Center announced a $1,000 signing bonus to all individuals that register through the LTC Staffing Portal to work for a certain amount of time in a nursing home.

The Joint Committee on Elder Affairs held a virtual hearing today to hear testimony on House Bill 4635, An Act Relative to Long Term Care Facility and Elder Housing COVID-19 Reporting. Mass Senior Care provided written testimony supporting the legislation. The legislation filed by Elder Affairs House Chairwoman Ruth Balser would require nursing facilities, assisted living residences, rest homes and elder housing to report to local department of health or to DPH the number of known COVID-19 positive cases and mortalities in the facility.

Massachusetts Senior Care Association has partnered with MIT’s COVID-19 Policy Alliance to stand up a Long Term Care Coordinating Center to assist member facilities during this crisis. Mass Senior Care staff have been working closely with MIT’s COVID-19 Policy Alliance – a team of MIT Sloan School of Management faculty and experts, led by Professors Kate Kellogg, Simon Johnson and Retsef Levi. The goal of the LTC Coordinating Center is to provide Mass Senior Care and our members with additional resources and data analytics to combat the spread of COVID-19.

This call series is an opportunity to hear physicians and other clinical leaders share their experiences, best practices, strategies, and insights related to COVID-19. Lessons from The Front Lines calls are held weekly on Fridays at 12:30 PM.

The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated list which reflects all OIG exclusions and reinstatement actions up to, and including, those taken in March 2020.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued on Friday, April 10, 2020 its proposed federal fiscal year 2020 (FFY 2021) Medicare SNF PPS rule.

The Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) has announced that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, CHIA is postponing the FY2019 deployment of all nursing facility cost reports.

Yesterday, EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders responded in a letter to MSCA’s urgent request for assistance, outlining the steps the Administration has taken to date to support nursing homes during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Responds to MSCA Urgent Request for Assistance; Enhanced MassHealth Financing; Long Term Care Staffing Portal; Report Detailing Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by City/Town Date: April 16, 2020 EOHHS Responds to MSCA Urgent Request for Assistance: Outlines Steps to Date to Support Nursing Facilities Today, EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders responded in a letter to MSCA’s urgent request for assistance, outlining the steps the Administration has taken to date

In this memo we are providing you with several updates and a reminder about the DPH Weekly call scheduled for tomorrow. Updates included new OSHA Resources; New CMS Cohorting Guidance; Boston Hope Hospital and DCU Center Field Hospital; Update on CMS Revises COVID-19 FAQs on FFS Billing and AHCA Summary of Available Resources

In this memo we are providing you with several updates related to the updated guidance for testing, MassHealth investment waiver of certain regulatory requirements, update on long term care staffing portal, an extension on E-Kits and guidance on hospice services. Please continue to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage for resources and updates.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Association Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: PPE Order Instructions, To be completed by 7pm ET on Monday, April 13 Date: April 13, 2020 In an effort to assist with the PPE shortage, Mass Senior Care Association is partnering with the MIT Covid Policy Alliance to place a bulk PPE order for N95 Masks, gowns and gloves from China. We are fortunate to offer MSCA members the ability to order PPE scheduled to arrive