Thanks in part to grassroots advocacy efforts by Mass Senior Care members, The Lowell Sun and Sentinel & Enterprise last week featured editorials endorsing Mass Senior Care Association’s Nursing Facility Recovery & Sustainability Proposal which would provide vital investments for nursing facility residents and their dedicated caregivers.

Don’t miss Mass Senior Care Association’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 18, 2021. The Annual Meeting presents an opportunity for us to come together to demonstrate the resilience that keeps our community strong and focused on the care and wellbeing of our residents. Crucial to the care of our residents is a stable long term care workforce and it is critical that we remain focused on creating and maintaining quality jobs in order to retain and recruit staff.

Yesterday, DPH released updated guidance on COVID-19 Booster Dose Vaccination. Based on the CDC recommendations, the DPH is requesting that long-term care facilities work to ensure that all eligible residents and staff receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose no later than November 30, 2021, EOHHS implemented the Direct Care Cost Quotient (DCC-Q) measure in October 2020 (rate year 2021) as a replacement for the previous direct care add on reporting, requiring facilities to spend no less than 75% of total adjusted revenue on direct care staff through the DCC-Q, and reminder Mass Senior Care Association’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

MassHealth new and revised billing guidance: Medicaid Transitional Rate Add On and Medicaid Temporary Rate Add On, and CMS issued a display copy of the agency’s final rule on payment policies for the calendar year (CY) 2022 under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

The DPH administrative reconsideration for state fines, Mass Senior Care continues to work with transportation providers and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to support members facilities experiencing significant challenges in securing transportation services, DPH webinar on Utilizing Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics in Long-term Care Facilities as a Tool to Prevent and Mitigate COVID-19 is now available, and Mass Senior Care Association’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

The next DPH monthly call is scheduled for Wednesday, November 10 at 11:00 a.m, and don’t miss Mass Senior Care Association’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

Don’t miss the 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 18, 2021. The Annual Meeting presents an opportunity for us to come together to demonstrate the resilience that keeps our community strong and focused on the care and wellbeing of our residents. Crucial to the care of our residents is a stable long term care workforce and it is critical that we remain focused on creating and maintaining quality jobs in order to retain and recruit staff. To register for the 2021 Annual Meeting, please click here.

MSCA has received clarification from DPH that they are aligned with the CDC NHSN definition of HCP, CMS released an interim final rule requiring direct care workers in Medicare and Medicaid-certified health care settings to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and JVS Boston’s quarterly Economic Opportunity Forum scheduled for Monday, November 8th from 12-1pm.

Effective November 1, 2021, MassHealth has implemented updated eligibility policy guidance to expand coverage for members who are eligible for Family Assistance. Family Assistance members who require a nursing facility or chronic disease and rehabilitation hospital (CDRH) stay will now have a pathway to become eligible for both an expanded short-term stay beyond 100 days (less than six months), or long-term care (LTC).