The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the proposed rule on Contract Year 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs, including provisions designed to improve the integration of Medicare and Medicaid programs for individuals enrolled in dual eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs).

In accordance with 651 CMR 12.04(13)(a)(1), (13) A Sponsor of an ALR shall file annually, within 90 days following the end of an Assisted Living Residence's fiscal year, a financial disclosure form prescribed by EOEA which sets forth a statement by the Sponsor based on reviewed or audited financial statements prepared by a certified public accountant.

On March 15, 2022, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) issued its annual policy report entitled March 2022 Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy. This report is part of the Commission’s legislative mandate to evaluate Medicare payment issues and to make recommendations to the Congress.

The Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) today released its Annual Report on the Performance of the Massachusetts Health Care System. The report presents a calculation of Total Health Care Expenditures (THCE) for 2020, a measure of statewide health care spending, which is evaluated against the state’s health care cost growth benchmark.

CMS announced changes to QSO-20-38-NH Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements and QSO-20-39-NH Nursing Home Visitation - COVID-19 guidance, and Mass Senior Care reminds members that the public policy allowing a student who graduated from a registered nursing or practical nursing program or a senior nursing student attending the last semester of a registered nursing or practical nursing program to practice nursing expires on April 1, 2022.

Please find updated names and contact information for the DPH Certification and Complaint Units.

MassHealth has issued an Eligibility Operations Memo updating the application packet for health benefits for seniors and people needing long-term-care services as of March 2022.

The National Compassionate Caregivers of the Year (NCCY) Award recognizes extraordinary healthcare professionals from across the country who embody the characteristics of compassionate care, and whose professional achievements have helped to create healing healthcare environments for patients, families, colleagues, and communities.