Members are provided updates on the Public Health Emergency Order for COVID-19 booster vaccination, Implementation of Order of the Commissioner of Public Health Regarding Control of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities, Long-Term Care visitation guidance, and an announcement for skilled nursing facilities for short-term rehabilitation capacity.

On December 30, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and the United States Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, in partnership with AHCA/NCAL, Leading Age and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), hosted a virtual forum to discuss the importance of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to protect residents, staff and their loved ones from COVID-19, and MassHealth today informed nursing facilities of new temporary (1) Clinical Eligibility and (2) PASRR Flexibilities to assist patient flow from acute hospitals to nursing facilities.

DPH released revisions to the Caring for LTC Residents during the COVID-19 Response, and effective January 1, 2022, under the “Patient First” law which applies to nursing homes, health care providers are required to notify patients about charges and payments for proposed admissions, procedures, services, and referrals that are specific to the patient’s insurance carrier.

Yesterday, the DPH updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for Health Care Personnel, and today, the DPH released information on the use of Casirivimab/imdevimab and bamlanivimab/etesivimab as a treatment or post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 cases where the Omicron variant has been identified.

The Broad Institute will be closed beginning today, Thursday, December 30th at 2pm and will reopen on Sunday, January 2nd, the CDC released updated guidance on isolation and quarantine for who test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with COVID-19, on Tuesday, CMS released guidance enforcing the Interim Final Rule (IFR) issued November 5, 2021, mandating the COVID-19 vaccine in health care settings, and OSHA withdraws Healthcare ETS - Update.

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.