Member Resources

The DPH released guidance on Organizational Policies and Procedures for Mitigating Respiratory Illness after the expiration of the PHE.

This month, CMS released information regarding the testing of a risk-based survey (RBS) approach that allows consistently higher-quality facilities to receive a more focused survey that takes less time and resources than the traditional standard recertification survey.

The Legislature today approved and sent to Governor Healey a Fiscal Year 2024 Supplemental Budget that contains statutory language making permanent the state’s COVID-19 pandemic policies of allowing any nursing school graduates and students in their final semester of nursing education to practice nursing in in-patient health care settings for a limited time, as determined by DPH.

AHCA/NCAL members now have access to detailed summaries of the three final rules released by CMS earlier this week.

Administrative, clinical, and operations staff from nursing facilities across the state attended Mass Senior Care’s April 25th Spring Conference & Trade Show at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Member Update: IMPORTANT INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN: Marsters vs. Healey Lawsuit: MassHealth Issues Notice that NFs Must Print and Provide Each Resident by Sunday; Legislature Enacts FY2024 Supplemental Bill: Includes Extensions Allowing (1) Nursing School Graduate Students to Practice Nursing and (2) Nurses to Provide Skilled Care in an ALR

Member Update: Biden Administration Announces Release of Final Minimum Staffing Rule; Join Us at the AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing; Informal Dispute Resolution Meeting This Wednesday, April 24th

Join Mass Senior Care and infection control experts from Capsid Consulting for a one-hour webinar: The Dos and Don’ts of Enhanced Barrier Precautions: Understanding the New CMS Guidance. This webinar will be held on Tuesday, April 23 from 12 noon to 1:00pm via Zoom.

The 2024 Spring Conference is less than a week away! Please visit our website to register.

Nominations for the 2024 AHCA/NCAL Awards Program are now open. AHCA/NCAL members are strongly encouraged to nominate those inspiring leaders and unsung colleagues who go above and beyond to provide exceptional service in the long term care profession.

The House of Representatives will begin debating on the FY 2024 budget next week and we need your immediate help in urging your State Representative to support and co-sponsor Amendment #371 filed by Elder Affairs Committee Chairman Thomas Stanley.

Earlier this week, Attorney General Andrea Campbell issued an advisory to provide guidance to developers, suppliers, and users of AI regarding their obligations under the existing state consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and data security laws.

Under a Settlement Agreement signed earlier this week by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (EOHHS) and the Center for Public Representation, Governor Healy has moved to settle the Marsters v. Healey lawsuit.

Member Update: State Reaches Court Settlement to Move 2,400 People from Nursing Homes to Community; AG Campbell Issues Advisory Addressing "Unfair And Deceptive" AI Activity

Member Update: RansomHub Hacking Group Leaks Patient Data Stolen From Change Healthcare; Register Now for Important Webinar on New CMS Guidance on Enhanced Barrier Precautions

Two back-to-back opportunities to host employee celebrations are rapidly approaching. The week of May 6th-12th is National Nurses Week, and May 12th-18th is National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW).

FINAL CHANCE TO REGISTER! Enhancing Resident Care and Reducing Unnecessary Resident Hospitalizations in Nursing Facilities: A 5-Part Virtual Interdisciplinary Hospice Education Series Jointly Sponsored by Mass Senior Care Association and the Hospice & Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts

Join us for a dynamic and informative program on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Mass Senior Care will once again be offering AHCA/NCAL Quality Award workshops to help members better understand how to complete the application from beginning to end with coaching support along the way from expert trainers.

Nominations for the 2024 AHCA/NCAL Awards Program are now open. AHCA/NCAL members are strongly encouraged to nominate those inspiring leaders and unsung colleagues who go above and beyond to provide exceptional service in the long term care profession.

We are inviting you to join us next Tuesday in sharing the “Simple Step” campaign materials that were created through the Simple Step Coalition last year.

At an event earlier this week to highlight Care Workers Recognition Month, President Biden noted that his Administration plans to finalize the CMS nursing home staffing rule in the coming weeks.

The House of Representatives will begin active debate on the FY 2025 budget during the week of April 22nd and we need your help in urging your State Representative to support Amendment #371 filed by Elder Affairs Committee Chairman Thomas Stanley.

Member Update: House Ways and Means Committee Issues FY 2025 Budget Recommendation; Biden Administration Announces that Nursing Home Staffing Rule’s Release is Imminent; Register Now for Virtual Interdisciplinary Hospice Education Series; MassHealth Launches New Nursing Facility Provider Landing Page

Member Update: CNA to LPN Career Ladder Program Expands to Include all MA Community Colleges; CHIA Releases New Interactive Dashboard of Workforce Data; CMS Adopts FFY2025 Medicare Advantage Rule: Enhances MA Beneficiary Protections

National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) 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 "Radiant Memories: A Time of Golden Age Radio.” The national observance will take place from Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2024.

Register Now: Provider Owned Networks: A Tool for LTC Providers to Succeed in Managed Care

Register Now! Enhancing Resident Care and Reducing Unnecessary Resident Hospitalizations in Nursing Facilities: A 5-Part Virtual Interdisciplinary Hospice Education Series Jointly Sponsored by Mass Senior Care Association and the Hospice & Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts

Join us for a dynamic and informative program on April 25, 2024! Please visit our website to register!

The authorization allowing graduate nurses and students in their final semester of nursing education to practice nursing in in-patient health care settings and allowing nurses employed by an Assisted Living Residence (ALR) to provide skilled nursing care in accordance with valid medical orders expired March 31, 2024.

On Friday, March 29, 2024, the amended 651 CMR 12.00: Certification procedures and standards for assisted living residences regulations were published by the Secretary of State’s office and became effective immediately.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to welcome new members to our Association.

On April 3, 2024, Senator Ed Markey held a Congressional Subcommittee meeting to examine for-profit health systems, focusing on Steward Health Care and the role of private equity in health care.

Member Update: Point 32 Health (Tufts Health Plan/HPHC) Voluntary Extends Through August 1st Prior Authorization Waiver Process for Post Acute Hospital Short Stays

Member Update: Reminder: Prior Authorization Waiver Process for Post Acute Hospital Short Stays Ended; Reminder: CMS Guidance on Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes Effective April 1st; AHCA to Host Webinar on Proposed FFY 2025 Medicare SNF PPS Rule; NHSN Training Webinar on Revised Definition of UTD is Today

Member Update: Two Statutory Authorizations Expired March 31st; CMS Proposed FFY 2025 Medicare SNF PPS Payment Rule: Nursing Home Enforcement

Member Update: Senate Conference Committee Members Appointed for FY2024 Supplemental Bill: Includes Extensions Allowing (1) Nursing School Graduate Students to Practice Nursing and (2) Nurses to Provide Skilled Care in an ALR; CMS Issues Proposed FFY 2025 Medicare SNF PPS Payment Rule

Enhancing Resident Care and Reducing Unnecessary Resident Hospitalizations in Nursing Facilities: A 5-Part Virtual Interdisciplinary Hospice Education Series Jointly Sponsored by Mass Senior Care Association and the Hospice & Palliative Care. This 5-part virtual series will focus on incorporating hospice services into nursing facilities to enhance resident care and reduce unnecessary resident hospitalizations at the end of life. Register today!

Massachusetts Senior Care Association is pleased to offer Associate Members sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor booths for the upcoming 2024 Spring Conference & Trade Show on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA.

Join us for a dynamic and informative 2024 program! The trade show and lunch will feature 50 sponsors and exhibitors and the opportunity to network with these vendors and your colleagues. Please visit our website to register!

Join the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and the MassCyberCenter on April 11th at 10 am for our monthly health care provider cybersecurity call.

The NHSN Vaccination team will host a second webinar to detail the changes to the surveillance definition of being up to date with COVID-19 vaccines which goes into effect with April 1, 2024 reporting.

The next CMS Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum is scheduled for April 2nd, 2:00pm-3:00pm ET.

The DPH has updated its recommendations for the general public to align with the CDC to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

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

Please continue to ask your State Representative and Senator to support Mass Senior Care’s FY2025 Nursing Facility Budget Proposal, which would fund vital workforce investments of $128 million in FY2025.