Member Resources

Governor Charlie Baker on August 1 st signed into law legislation that would establish a $200 million, temporary two-year employer health contribution program in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2018, along with a reduction in a planned unemployment insurance rate hike. The legislature earlier had rejected the Governor's request to include in his re-filed legislation a series of Medicaid health reforms designed to manage the MassHealth program to make it sustainable over the long term, believing that the proposed reforms would

On Wednesday afternoon the Senate again rejected, on a vote of 45-55, a proposal to repeal significant portions of the Affordable Care Act without a replacement. Seven Republican Senators bucked their leadership and voted with all of the Senate Democrats in rejecting an amendment that would have repealed most of the heath care law with a two-year delay to develop a replacement plan. Similar legislation passed both chambers on reconciliation instructions in 2015, but was vetoed by then-President Obama. It

On July 21, 2017, UMass, the agent EOHHS has contracted with to manage the SFY 2017 Direct Care Add On web-based application and the website URL for Compliance Form, issued an e-mail notification to nursing homes providing guidance in regard to the Final Compliance filing schedule. Please note that the memo indicates that the filing deadline is September 30 th. UMass notes that it expects the final form will be very similar to the Interim Form and that it will

The Legislature yesterday returned to Governor Charlie Baker separate legislation that would establish a $200 million, temporary two-year employer health contribution program in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2018, along with a reduction in a planned unemployment insurance rate hike. The legislature rejected the Governor’s request to include in its re-filed legislation a series of Medicaid health reforms designed to manage the MassHealth program to make it sustainable over the long term, believing that the proposed reforms would have had a

Thank you for the tremendous support in Mass Senior Care’s recent Legislative Action Alert urging lawmakers to override Governor Charlie Baker’s veto of $7.5 million in Medicaid funding for nursing home care. Mass Senior Care has been in contact with legislative leaders, and has learned the veto override vote on our item will likely be on the docket for September. In order to override the Governor’s veto, both members of the Senate and the House of Representatives will need to

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a nationwide quality improvement initiative aimed at assessing and strengthening current infection control capacity and competency in Massachusetts health care facilities. DPH is currently seeking LTCFs to participate in the non-regulatory assessment of their infection prevention program and practices. Participation in this quality improvement initiative is voluntary and this initiative is not part of DPH’s health care facility licensure regulations. A

CareOne at Brookline welcomed local officials, staff, residents, families, and community members to a community barbecue at St. Mark's Park on July 13 th. Nearly 300 guests celebrated the summer weather with food, refreshments and raffle prizes. Pictured below is Chad Waterman, Administrator at CareOne Brookline and Breanna Wu, Volunteer.

MassHealth electronically collects nursing facility census data information quarterly and is currently collecting census form filings for July 1, 2017. If your facility has not yet filed the July 1, 2017 census form with MassHealth, we urge you to complete the census form and file electronically. Please note that the census survey provides important information on utilization trends, which we share with members in aggregate form. The MassHealth census form should be filed electronically with Matthew Martin of MassHealth at

On Tuesday, July 25, 2017 from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm, CMS experts will discuss the revised Interpretive Guidance for Nursing Homes and the new Survey Process effective November 28, 2017. Learn about the major components of Phase 2 implementation, changes to the survey process, and training resources available to the public. A question and answer session follows the presentation. You may email questions in advance of the call to NHSurveyDevelopment@cms.hhs.gov. Questions received in advance of the call may be

Building on its 32 year legacy of assisting long term care staff in furthering their education, the Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation is proud to announce its 2017 Foundation Scholars (click here to see a list of scholarship recipients by last name). This year’s class of 35 exceptional awardees include Certified Nursing Assistants, nurses, human resource, dietary and other facility staff who will use their scholarships to further their professional development and leadership in the long term care profession. The 2017

Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell postponed indefinitely bringing to the Senate Floor the Senate’s version of the Affordable Care Act ‘Repeal and Replace’ Bill – The Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). Majority Leader McConnell had planned to bring the bill up for a vote but the combination of Senator John McCain’s medical absence and the announcement that Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) would not support the bill forced McConnell to pull the BCRA

We are pleased to report that as a result of tremendous member outreach and advocacy the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Public Health have notified Mass Senior Care that the Department will be re-proposing the long term care licensure regulations later this summer. On July 19, 2017, EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders indicated in a letter to Mass Senior Care President Tara Gregorio the revised regulations will r etain both the current construction grandfather

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 June 2017. This new file is meant to replace the updated LEIE database file available for download last month. Individuals and entities that have been reinstated to the federal health care programs are not included in this file. The updated files are posted on the OIG’s website

On Tuesday, July 25, 2017 from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm, CMS experts will discuss the revised Interpretive Guidance for Nursing Homes and the new Survey Process effective November 28, 2017. Learn about the major components of Phase 2 implementation, changes to the survey process, and training resources available to the public. A question and answer session follows the presentation. You may email questions in advance of the call to NHSurveyDevelopment@cms.hhs.gov. Questions received in advance of the call may be

The following Mass Senior Care membership committee meetings will be held next week on July 19, 2017. Clinical Quality Committee Wednesday, July 19, 2017 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mass Senior Care office, Waltham Regulatory and Survey Committee Wednesday, July 19, 2017 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mass Senior Care office, Waltham If you have any questions or are interested in attending, please contact Jennifer Chen, Director of Membership. Please click here for directions to the Mass Senior Care office.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to welcome our new Associate Members. Our Associate Members have demonstrated their commitment to the senior care provider community by joining Mass Senior Care and participating as exhibitors and sponsors for events and educational conferences. Mass Senior Care members are encouraged to contact Associate Members when they are in need of long term care products and services. Favorite Healthcare Staffing of Worcester, MA, a Joint Commission certified healthcare staffing company. Contact: Joanne Hebenstreit, Area Director

Massachusetts Senior Care Association’s 2017 Nursing Facility Employment Survey has been mailed out to Nursing Facility Administrators. The deadline to return the survey has been extended to tomorrow, Friday, July 14, 2017. Mass Senior Care member providers have traditionally used the results of this survey to help them assess their wage and benefit packages. The aggregate survey data also enable us to document the costs associated with staff recruitment and retention, health insurance coverage and other factors as we continue

Nine Mass Senior Care members receive AHCA/NCAL's 2017 National Silver – Achievement in Quality Award.

It has come to Mass Senior Care's attention that MassHealth providers using Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) 11 browser to upload claims for Medicaid payment are receiving a "File Name is invalid" error message. The MMIS file upload issue appears to occur when the MMIS web site is part of the IE "Trusted sites" and the Trusted sites zone has the "Include local directory path when uploading files to a server" setting set to "Enabled". MassHealth has indicated "if it is

On July 7 th, the Legislature approved its state fiscal year 2018 budget recommendation and sent it to Governor Charlie Baker for his action. The $40.2 billion budget mostly level funds state agency budgets due to the challenging state revenue picture. The final budget also imposed $400 million in reductions from the original House and Senate recommendations. Notwithstanding the deteriorating revenue outlook, we are grateful to Legislative leaders and the Conference Committee members for including $7.5 million in additional funding

The Board of Registration in Nursing (Board) will no longer issue license renewal reminders or paper licenses beginning with the 2018 renewal period. The Board will use email to communicate renewal reminders and important changes in statute, regulations and policies related to nursing. Please note that requiring a hard copy of a license is not a state or federal law. As stated in the BORN memo, “Licensure status can be verified by accessing the Board of Registration in Nursing (Board)

Due to the upcoming holiday weekend, this year's AHCA Silver Award notification date will be moved from Friday, June 30 to Thursday, July 6. Please mark your calendars with this change. The new date will ensure that AHCA has the resources to provide exceptional service and be responsive should members need assistance when they receive the notification. Source: AHCA

Mass Senior Care Association has partnered with our national association, American Health Care Association (AHCA) to help you meet the new Infection Preventionist specialized training requirement finalized by CMS in the Reform of Requirements of Participation for Long Term Care Facilities. This Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) course provides education for healthcare professionals who seek to serve as Infection Preventionists. Individuals who complete the course will be trained to effectively implement and manage an Infection Prevention and Control Program at

Massachusetts Senior Care Association’s 2017 Nursing Facility Employment Survey has been mailed out to Nursing Facility Administrators. The deadline to return the survey has been extended to Friday, July 14, 2017. Mass Senior Care member providers have traditionally used the results of this survey to help them assess their wage and benefit packages. The aggregate survey data also enable us to document the costs associated with staff recruitment and retention, health insurance coverage and other factors as we continue to

On June 28, 2017 the Determination of Need Office issued notification that it has promulgated two new Guidelines and issued a clarification of the MCE Guideline, all three of which should be available on the DoN Website shortly. Specifically: J une 29, 2017 Update to Annual Adjustments to Determination of Need (DoN) Expenditure Minimums – updates Maximum Capital Thresholds effective October 1, 2016; Disaggregation – The purpose of this memorandum is to inform interested parties of the time period Applicants

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) earlier this week issued a Notice of Proposed Agency Action that would continue the current Medicaid user fee rate of payment to facilities at $17.59 per day on July 1, 2017, instead of temporarily reducing it to $15.47 per day pending enactment of the SFY 2018 budget.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has issued Administrative Bulletin 17-11/Nursing Facility User Fee Update, which amends the Per Diem User Fee, effective July 1, 2017. Effective July 1, 2017 dates of service, the user fees have been reduced to the following: Facility Group Per Diem User Fee Effective July 1, 2017 Group 1 $20.40 Group 2 $2.04 Group 3 $2.04 Group 4 $0.00 The new user fee reflects EOHHS’ projection to generate $240 million for the

On July 26 th, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that Senate Republicans will delay a vote on the Senate’s Affordable Care Act replacement bill until after the July 4 th Congressional recess due to opposition from enough Republican Senators to block the bill from moving forward. The Senate’s bill, entitled the “Better Care Reconciliation Act”, was released last week. The Senate bill would have a devastating negative impact on the nursing facility provider community as the Medicaid funding

Mass Senior Care Association has partnered with our national association, American Health Care Association (AHCA) to help you meet the new Infection Preventionist specialized training requirement finalized by CMS in the Reform of Requirements of Participation for Long Term Care Facilities. This Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) course provides education for healthcare professionals who seek to serve as Infection Preventionists. Individuals who complete the course will be trained to effectively implement and manage an Infection Prevention and Control Program at

Beginning the morning of June 30 th, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs will centralize the Elder Protective Services abuse report intake system (elder abuse hotline) to a single phone number, connecting the caller to a call center with specially trained intake workers here in Massachusetts. The 24/7 single phone number will simplify the process for elder abuse reporting. All calls made to 1-800-922-2275 (day or night, 7 days a week) will go directly to the Massachusetts-based call center, regardless

The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Review and Correct reports are available on demand in the CMS Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting (CASPER) application. Log into the CMS Network using your CMSNet user ID and password to access the “Welcome to the CMS QIES Systems for Providers” webpage, then select the CASPER Reporting link to locate your reports. These reports: Contain quality measure information at the facility level Allow providers to obtain aggregate performance for the

Massachusetts Senior Care Association’s 2017 Nursing Facility Employment Survey has been mailed out to Nursing Facility Administrators. Please complete the survey and return it to Mass Senior Care by Friday, June 30, 2017. Mass Senior Care member providers have traditionally used the results of this survey to help them assess their wage and benefit packages. The aggregate survey data also enable us to document the costs associated with staff recruitment and retention, health insurance coverage and other factors as we

Mass Senior Care Association has joined the Massachusetts Coalition for Elder Economic Security, a newly formed collaborative initiative of 25 organizations including advocates, health and research groups and, community and labor representatives to ensure economic stability and protection for Massachusetts seniors. On June 20 th, the Coalition on Elder Economic Security kicked off a legislative briefing hosted by Senator Barbara L’Italien, the new Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs. The Coalition has reported alarming statistics that show 6

In response to concerns raised by a variety of business groups, health care providers and legislators, on June 20, 2017, Governor Baker proposed a comprehensive Medicaid Reform Plan which would significantly revise his original SFY 2018 budget provision that would have imposed a $2,000 per full time equivalent employee assessment if the employer did not meet certain health insurance contribution and uptake requirements. The Governor’s intent is that this Plan be considered during the ongoing Conference Committee deliberations for the

As noted in our June 19 th e-mail message to members, Mass Senior Care was informed earlier this week by Assistant Secretary for MassHealth Daniel Tsai that the agency will not make any hardship payments for May dates of service under its Cash Management Temporary Payment Delay, because of an unanticipated increase in the SFY 2017 budget shortfall. As you know, MassHealth last month had notified nursing facility providers via a message text that it will delay by approximately two

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 May 2017. This new file is meant to replace the updated LEIE database file available for download last month. Individuals and entities that have been reinstated to the federal health care programs are not included in this file. The updated files are posted on the OIG’s website

On Monday, June 12 th, the ChangingAging Tour made its first of four stops in Massachusetts at JGS Lifecarein Longmeadow. This national tour is led by Dr. Bill Thomas, founder of The Eden Alternative and creator of The Green House®. The sold-out event featured two non-fiction theater performances designed for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Massachusetts Senior Care Association’s 2017 Nursing Facility Employment Survey has been mailed out to Nursing Facility Administrators. Please complete the survey and return it to Mass Senior Care by Friday, June 30, 2017. Mass Senior Care member providers have traditionally used the results of this survey to help them assess their wage and benefit packages. The aggregate survey data also enable us to document the costs associated with staff recruitment and retention, health insurance coverage and other factors as we

In March 2017, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) (Form CMS-R-131) for another three years. The only change to the current form is the new March 2020 expiration date. Starting June 21, 2017, providers are required to use the new form, but they also can begin using it immediately. As background, the ABN - Form CMS-R-131 - is issued by providers (including independent laboratories, home health agencies, and hospices), physicians, practitioners, and suppliers

The Emergency Preparedness Final Rule was released on Friday, September 16, 2016. On June 2, 2017, CMS released the Emergency Preparedness Interpretive Guidance (IG). Mass Senior Care nursing home members are encouraged to look through the interpretive guidance as providers will need to comply with the final rule by November 2017.

As part of the November 2017 Federal 1115 Waiver approval, Governor Baker’s Administration last week announced that it has selected 18 health care organizations across the state to participate in MassHealth’s Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program beginning January 2018. The 18 ACOs, networks of physicians, hospitals and other health care providers will work together to provide integrated health care for their patients with the goals of improving their health and containing costs. These ACOs are expected to cover over 900,000

Earlier this week state legislators voted to place on the 2018 ballot a constitutional amendment to increase taxes on high earners. The amendment would impose an additional tax of 4 percent on annual income of more than $1 million. The amendment, if ratified by voters, is projected to generate $2 billion in new revenue. The Massachusetts Senior Care Association strongly endorsed the legislators’ action. In a letter to legislators prior to the vote, Mass Senior Care Association President Tara Gregorio

The Massachusetts Council of Activity Professionals (MassCAP) is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, June 14th, "Activities: Not Just Fun and Games, A Look At Our Interdisciplinary Role to Resident Care." The workshop will be held at Pines Edge Health Center at North Hill in Needham and is open to all activity professionals. Discounted seminar fees are available for MassCAP members, please click here to view the registration flyer.

Massachusetts Senior Care Association’s 2017 Nursing Facility Employment Survey has been mailed out to Nursing Facility Administrators. Please complete the survey and return it to Mass Senior Care by Friday, June 30, 2017. Mass Senior Care member providers have traditionally used the results of this survey to help them assess their wage and benefit packages. The aggregate survey data also enable us to document the costs associated with staff recruitment and retention, health insurance coverage and other factors as we

On June 2, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion to dismiss the pending preliminary injunction (PI) hearing in AHCA v Price (previously Burwell). It means nursing facilities may continue to use pre-dispute arbitration agreements until the litigation is decided on its merits at the district court. Please click here to read a summary in AHCA’s Provider Magazine.

Hebrew Senior Life and The Boston Home, both members of Mass Senior Care Association, were recently recognized by CareerSTAT for making outstanding investments in the skills and careers of their frontline workers. Hebrew Senior Life encompasses nine campuses caring for 3,000 individuals on a daily basis, has been designated as a Frontline Healthcare Worker Champion for its success in reducing overall employee turnover and increasing employee satisfaction through the integration of recognition programs, tuition assistance and career coaching opportunities. The

Fifteen Mass Senior Care member facilities are being recognized with a 2017 Bronze - Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The award is the first of three distinctions possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, which honors long term and post-acute care providers that have demonstrated their commitment to improving the quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities. “We thank the caregivers and staff for enriching

On May 10, 2017 the Massachusetts Public Health Council approved revisions to the following State regulations: 105 CMR 155.000 Patient and Resident Abuse Prevention, Reporting, Investigation, Penalties and Registry - Changes in 105 CMR 155.000 include more consistency in the terminology and definitions for regulated parties, including “Nurse Aide” and “Registry”; a more predictable and streamlined process for reporting; inclusion of requirements for policies and procedures related to completion of training; and aligning 105 CMR 155.000 with other health care

The SFY 2018 Appropriations Conference Committee held their first meeting on Monday. The Conferees are charged with reconciling the differences between the House of Representatives and Senate's SFY 2018 budget recommendations. The Conferees meet as state revenues for SFY 2017 are down by more than $450 million, which has put added pressure on the SFY 2018 budget. Mass Senior has sent letters to the Conference Committee on the following issues that would impact long term care in the SFY 2018

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a SNF QRP Quality Measure User’s Guide. This manual presents methods used to calculate quality measures that are included in CMS’s Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP). This manual provides detailed information for each quality measure, including quality measure definitions, inclusion and exclusion criteria and measure calculation specifications. View the manual on the SNF Quality Reporting Program Measures and Technical Information webpage in the downloads section.