Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022!

On March 21, 2022, MassHealth will update its Eligibility Verification System (EVS) and the HIPAA Health Care Eligibility Benefit Inquiry and Response (270/271) transaction to include the additional benefit plans below for applicable members: COVID Uninsured Coverage CMSP Limited HSN Trading partners should visit the MassHealth HIPAA Companion Guides webpage listed below to evaluate the changes outlined in the MassHealth HIPAA Health Care Eligibility Benefit Inquiry and Response (270/271) Companion Guide, and ensure that their systems can accept the additional

On December 22, 2021, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) submitted a request to extend the MassHealth Section 1115 Demonstration (“1115 waiver”) to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Mass Senior Care Association continues to work with our member long term care facilities to increase COVID-19 booster vaccination rates among residents, their families, staff and visitors. Achieving a high rate of booster vaccinations groups is critical to our fight against COVID-19 and ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and the entire caregiving team.

Join HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and other Senior COVID-19 Response Leaders for a Virtual Town Hall – co-sponsored by AHCA/NCAL, LeadingAge, and SEIU to discuss the latest news on the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the impact of boosters for residents and staff, OSHA announced that it will now only require that nursing facilities maintain a COVID-19 log and other previous reporting requirements, and HRSA provided updated information on the status of PRF Phase 4 and ARP Rural Payments.

CMS issued a new set of Frequently​ Asked Questions on the revised nursing home visitation guidelines, outlined in memo “QSO-20-39-NH REVISED​ to provide further clarification, CDC today announced updates to their guidance on Managing Health Care Personnel with COVID-19 Infection or Exposure, DPH updated the Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidance, and new information about available treatments and efficacy of treatments against current COVID-19 variants is constantly being released.

Earlier this week, AHCA/NCAL, LeadingAge, and the AARP co-hosted a town hall featuring Admiral Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps to answer questions about the Omicron variant, boosters, and why we need to step up the timeline to get the booster.

Yesterday, the Baker-Polito Administration announced additional measures to address a recent rise in COVID-19 cases and to ensure acute care hospitals have sufficient capacity to care for both COVID and non-COVID patients.

MassHealth has issued Nursing Facility Bulletin 173 specifying the billing method nursing facilities can use to obtain reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccine administration to MassHealth residents, effective October 1, 2021.