Member Resources

Mass Senior Care is providing guidance to members related to CMS and State regulations for the Training and Certification of Nurse Aides. This document clarifies the regulations that allow you to hire an aide and allows that aide ninety days after hire to complete training. The facility is responsible for ensuring that the aide is competent to do the tasks he/she is assigned.

With the anticipated peak of the COVID-19 virus expected to occur over the next 10 days, there will be increased media focus on the care being provided by skilled nursing facilities across the Commonwealth. Against incredible odds, our 77,000 dedicated caregivers are taking extraordinary measures to keep residents safe and connected to their loved ones.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the distribution of the first $30 billion of the $100 billion stimulus fund included in the CARES Act.

AHCA has developed a FAQ document to help providers navigate how the various CDC and CMS COVID-19 guidance and Section 1135 waivers interact with current MDS-RAI coding guidance and payment models in SNFs, specific to situations where it is determined that a resident requires isolation related to the COVID-19 virus.

CMS released a COVID-19 Provider Burden Relief FAQ document that states that the Agency has suspended most Medicare Part A and Part B Fee-For-Service (FFS) medical review during the emergency period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CMS has responded to member concerns that the ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes identified by the CDC as appropriate to code for COVID-19 were not compatible with the Medicare Part A SNF PPS PDPM payment model. Specifically, none of the CDC identified codes could be used to represent the Primary Reason for SNF Stay on the MDS assessment Item I0020B.

CMS has not made any changes to the MDS coding guidance associated with item O0100M – Isolation for active infectious disease (does not include standard precautions) located in Chapter 3 of the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v 1.17.1 October 2019 .

Mass Senior Care has launched a website for donations of PPE for nursing home staff fighting on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle. All donations will directly go to nursing homes most in need.

Mass Senior Care recognizes nursing facilities are in need of 12,000 additional direct care staff to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. To assist members with staff recruitment, Mass Senior Care has been working with the state and MIT to bring additional resources to members.

Our healthcare heroes continue to rise to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic to keep our residents safe, healthy and connected to their loved ones. Every day we witness truly extraordinary care being provided by all levels of staff for which residents and family members are extremely grateful.

In this memo we are providing you with several updates related to testing and moving a loved one from a long term care facility as well as a correction notice on PASRR. Please continue to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage for resources and updates.

Mass Senior Care recognizes nursing facilities are in need of 12,000 additional direct care staff to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. To assist members with staff recruitment, Mass Senior Care has been working with the state and MIT to bring additional resources to members. We strongly encourage members to log onto the state’s new staffing portal now and leverage the reach of Mass Senior Care’s new partnership with Monster.com to post and market both paid positions and volunteer opportunities.

Today's memo includes: MassHealth Updates: (1) Supplemental Payments and (2) New Rules for Eligibility – Self Attestation; Today’s CMS Call; OSHA Updates, and a PBJ Update

Today's memo includes updates on: DoN Program Moratorium on New LTC Beds; DPH Weekly Call; Massachusetts Crisis Standards of Care Advisory Committee and New PPE Donation Website

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: DPH Issues Updated Guidance Date: April 6, 2020 In this memo we are providing you with several updates related to DPH guidance on the use of PPE, caring for residents with presumed or confirmed COVID-19 and other important memos. Please continue to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage for resources and updates. Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment : The DPH has released comprehensive guidance, based upon the Centers for

Today the Massachusetts Senior Care Association launched a website for donations of PPE for nursing home staff fighting on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle. All donations will directly go to nursing homes most in need. Please visit www.maseniorcare.org/ppe.

In this memo we are providing you with several updates related to DPH testing criteria, steps to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in your facility and making plans for cohorting residents. Please continue to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage for resources and updates.

The CARES Act includes funding for a small business loan program called the Paycheck Protection Program. The program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020 and the application process starts today, April 3rd.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Issues New Recommendation to Nursing Homes and DPH Releases Guidance on Verbal Consent for MOLST and Revised Guidance for HCP with Known Exposure to COVID-19 Date: April 3, 2020 In this memo we are providing you with several updates related to CMS' new recommendations to nursing homes, DPH guidance on verbal consent for MOLST, DPH revised guidance on health care personnel with known exposure to COVID-19

It is widely predicted by public health authorities that despite all of our collective mitigation efforts, the number of COVID-19 cases among nursing home residents and frontline caregivers will surge along with the statewide surge. Our number one priority is to provide you with the support and resources necessary to keep our facility staff safe and our residents well cared for.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced another measure to free up the attention of providers as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) office space is closed to the general public, OMHA hearings and appeals processing measures are proceeding as scheduled.

The state of Massachusetts is working with local providers and boards of health across the Commonwealth to find places where health professionals could volunteer to support their community.

Resources to help support your front line staff

We appreciate the support of our Associate Members who are providing critical information on COVID-19 related financial and workforce laws and regulations. Please click on the individual links to register for these complimentary webinars.

MassHealth has issued the following COVID-19 related information for MassHealth members and applicants. In response to COVID-19, and to support the health and safety of our members and staff, all MassHealth Enrollment sites will be closed for walk-in visitors until further notice. If MassHealth members or applicants need support or have any questions they should contact the Customer Service Center at (800) 841-2900; TTY: (800) 497-4648. In addition, applicants can apply for benefits online at www.mahealthconnector.org

In this memo we are providing you with several updates related to today’s CMS Call with Nursing Homes, user fee payments, and the SBA Paycheck Protection Program. Please continue to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage for resources and updates.

Today we are providing you with several updates related to training and certification of nurse aides and a revised screening checklist for visitors and staff. Please continue to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage for resources and updates.

CMS has issued several blanket waivers for long term care providers in pages 9-12. These blanket waivers are in effect, with a retroactive effective date of March 1, 2020 through the end of the emergency declaration.

Today we are providing you with several updates related to onsite COVID-19 testing programs in nursing homes and rest homes, MassHealth update on coverage and N95 fit testing guidance. Please continue to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage for resources and updates.

Today we are providing you with several updates related to Department of Labor’s guidance on leave exemptions, recent media articles on COVID-19 recovery SNFs and a virtual town hall to support frontline healthcare workers.

Talking Points for Crisis Communications: COVID-19 Outbreak COVID-19 Specific Talking Points Skilled nursing facilities care for the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth and their health and safety is always our top priority. We are staying in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps to keep our residents and staff safe. We are following the recommended preventative actions issued by the CDC and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Today we are providing you with several updates related to PPE, Telehealth and Media Relations. Please continue to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage for resources and updates.

We are looking forward to seeing our members in June when we have rescheduled two of our major programs and we hope you can join us.

We are looking forward to seeing our members in June when we have rescheduled two of our major programs and we hope you can join us.

With enhanced visitor restrictions now in place, staff members at long term care communities across the Commonwealth are using creative approaches to keep residents engaged and socially active during this extremely challenging time. Whether it be playing hallway bingo, window visits, hallway noodle baseball, or virtual visits and hugs, all levels of staff have taken extraordinary efforts to continue providing a safe, healthy and connected community for their residents.

Please join the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a call on COVID-19 with Nursing Homes today at 4:30 PM. CMS leadership will provide updates on the agency’s latest guidance. There will be audience Q&A and an opportunity for you to share best practices with your peers.

MassHealth requires that nursing facilities and chronic disease and rehabilitation inpatient hospitals account for the balances of personal needs allowance (PNA) account funds.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that they are delaying the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 v1.18.1 release, which had been scheduled for October 1, 2020.

On March 22, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced administrative burden relief for providers participating in various quality programs during the COVID-19 outbreak.

On March 23, CMS released guidance prioritizing and suspending most federal and state survey agency (SSA) surveys, and delaying revisit surveys, for the next three weeks beginning on March 20, 2020, for all nursing homes. For non-IJ related onsite surveys that are currently in process, survey teams are instructed to end the survey and exit the facility.

Mass Senior Care provides an update on testing of persons with suspect COVID-19, utilizing non-direct care staff to support needs, making decisions on essential staff entering your building, resident laundry guidance with COVID-19 and when families want to do residents’ laundry and important webinars/conference calls this week.

Healthcare facilities, including workers of nursing homes, rest homes and assisted living residences, have been designated as ‘COVID-19 Essential Services’ and are exempt from Governor Baker’s emergency order issued today to require all businesses to close their close their workplace by March 24th at noon.

Mass Senior Care is providing a brief update on the following 3 issues: (1) Approved list of Exempt Emergency child care programs which prioritize children of health care workers; (2) federal Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster loans for small businesses and (3) Applicability of the New Paid Leave Provisions in the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: Exempt Emergency Child Care Programs Date: March 20, 2020 The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) has established a process to approve Exempt Emergency Childcare Programs to serve vulnerable children and the children of families who are required to work to maintain the health, safety and welfare of all commonwealth citizens. This approach prioritizes public health and safety while maintaining critical service for vulnerable children and the children

To: MSCA Members From: Tara Gregorio, President RE: Attorney General Healey Issues Emergency Regulation Prohibiting Price Gouging of Critical Goods and Services During COVID-19 Emergency Date: March 20, 2020 Over the past week, Mass Senior Care has received reports from members of alleged price gouging activities, which we have immediately reported to the Attorney General’s Office and other government agencies. Today, Attorney General Maura Healey promulgated an emergency regulation that addresses price gouging of necessary goods and services during the

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: Supply and Vendor Resource List Date: March 20, 2020 During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mass Senior Care members are encouraged to find long term care products, supplies and services through our list of Associate Members/Preferred Vendors. These are companies that share a genuine interest with Mass Senior Care in furthering the quality of long term care and are dedicated to the success of the profession. In addition, Mass Senior Care