Information on the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) vote to include long term care residents at the highest level of priority for the first distributions of a COVID-19 vaccine, along with health care workers and HHS release of the dollar amounts for skilled nursing facilities that received Quality Incentive Payments ​in September.

Members are reminded about the September Surveillance testing payments and the October filing for EOHHS payments.

The Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center, in collaboration with DPH, is making BinaxNOW test kits available for use at nursing homes and rest homes for the purpose of testing visitors and symptomatic residents and staff, at no cost to the facilities, AHCA/NCAL has provided OSHA resources for nursing homes and members are reminded about the DPH Weekly Call.

An announcement that MassHealth has issued Bulletin 157 updating COVID-19 Ongoing Surveillance Testing Requirements.

The memo covers the EOHHS urge to continued vigilance with regards to PPE and hand hygiene as well as the CHIA notice of a holiday extension for submission of staff surveillance testing and nurse staffing data.

Touting the heroic dedication of nursing home workers, Congressman Richard Neal addressed Mass Senior Care members during the Association’s virtual Annual Meeting last week, noting that he plans to “work with his colleagues on Capitol Hill and the Biden administration to provide more financial support for the long term care sector so that facilities can secure the necessary PPE, staffing levels, and give their frontline staff higher wages.”

This memo provides information on the State updated holiday letter to long-term care families; reminds members about the first CHIA HPPD reporting submission is due by noon, Friday November 27th, discusses EOHHS supporting materials (FAQ, Template), and also provides a DPH weekly call reminder.

Announcements about the Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center, in collaboration with DPH, is making BinaxNOW test kits available for use at nursing homes and rest homes for the purpose of testing visitors and symptomatic residents and staff, at no cost to the facilities, and DPH updated guidance on surveillance testing in long-term care facilities.