Mass Senior Care Association is pleased to host our first in-person Spring Conference & Trade Show in more than two years on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at the DCU Center in Worcester.

This week, Governor Baker announced a new program “HireNow” for eligible employers to receive $4,000 for each new hire beginning on March 23 through December 31, 2022. Employers may be approved for up to $400,000 for 100 eligible newly hired employees.

DPH released an updated Antigen Rapid Point of Care COVID-19 Testing for Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities guidance, and on March 28, 2022 DPH will host a webinar about cleaning and disinfection for healthcare facilities.

Starting April 1, 2022, all wheelchair van services currently covered by MassHealth as fee-for-service transportation will be provided through transportation brokers, MART and GATRA. As of April 1, 2022, nursing facilities will no longer be able to request wheelchair van services through direct contact with transportation providers. Instead, facilities will need to submit a PT-1 request for all such services through an electronic portal and follow up by contacting MART/GATRA to assign the trip. MassHealth training guide and webinar recording are now available for download by following the links below or from the MassHealth LTSS Provider Portal.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: Provider Relief Fund Reporting Period 2 Deadline March 31 Date: March 17, 2022 The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is open for providers who need to report the use of PRF funds in Reporting Period 2 (RP2). The deadline for RP2 is March 31, 2022. AHCA/NCAL urges members to finish RP2s before the quickly approaching deadline. The HRSA reporting

Today, Governor Baker announced a new program “HireNow” for eligible employers to receive $4,000 for each new hire beginning on March 23 through December 31, 2022. Employers may be approved for up to $400,000 for 100 eligible newly hired employees. Eligible employers include any for-profit or non-profit Massachusetts employer who is in good standing with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mass Senior Care is calling on state lawmakers to support $238 million in new funding in FY2023, which is necessary to maintain current workforce wages that were increased using one-time government pandemic funding.

This week (March 14 - March 18) we celebrate our long term care leaders – Administrators! These individuals lead the staff of their facilities and ensure that their residents and patients receive the highest level of quality care.

The DPH has released guidance for nursing homes and rest homes on the process to report mandatory healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza data to fulfill the requirement for submission of annual HCP influenza data to DPH by April 15, 2022.