MassHealth this week issued Nursing Facility Bulletin 151 which requires all nursing homes to report the number of rooms by type (single, two-bedded, three-bedded, and four-bedded) within their facility, regardless of whether or not the beds are occupied, as well as the number of residents residing in each room. All nursing facilities must complete the attestation and reporting requirements of Nursing Facility Provider Bulletin 151 by 11:59 p.m. on October 23, 2020, using the prescribed reporting form via a CHIA online survey.

Governor Baker yesterday released a revised FY 2021 budget recommendation, proposing a $45.5 billion plan for the fiscal year. The state has been operating on interim budgets for the beginning of the fiscal year, as the Governor and Legislature work to craft a full year budget in light of the COVID-19 revenue uncertainties.

Members are reminded about the DPH weekly call and provided information about CMS COVID-19 Care Site-Specific Calls, CMS update on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public reporting tip sheets for Skilled Nursing Facilities and the webinar "Does Your Respiratory Protection Program Meet OSHA Standards?".

Today's update includes announcements on MassHealth issuing Nursing Facility Bulletin 150, which delineates the requirements for participation for the new targeted Isolation Space Program, CMS release of Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment guidance; DPH HCFRS System upgrade scheduled for October 18, 2020, and invites members to register for an important Respiratory Protection Program webinar.

AHCA/NCAL has two new online programs in conjunction with Healthcare Academy®. Both programs incorporate a digital competency platform to allow for documentation of live skills demonstration. The digital checklists included in these programs have been designed by industry experts using evidence-based practices to help organizations develop competent and confident staff.

The ahcancalED Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) is on sale through October 31, 2020. Registrants can save $50 off the regular registration price this month by using promo code IPCO2020 when they register.

Long term care facility (LTCF) users who wish to gain full access to the NHSN surveillance modules, various analytic tools, and data reports must complete the enhanced security clearance known as Secure Access Management Services (SAMS) Level 3. Centers who are only reporting to the COVID-19 module in NHSN likely only have a Level 1 security clearance. Users who complete the identify verification process will be migrated from Level 1 to Level 3 SAMS access and will be issued a SAMS grid care for a more secure NHSN user experience.

In 2019, the Department of Public Health (DPH) funded an initiative to reduce challenges to the continuity of care for individuals who receive medication for opioid use disorders (MOUD) at opioid treatment programs and are residents in long-term care facilities. A LTC toolkit was developed that describes physical and psychological symptoms of addiction and treatment modalities, resources, strategies for caring for residents with a history of OUD, and transitions of care.

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is pleased to announce the approval of an automatic one-year extension for recipients in their third year of renewal. The Program is making this extension in order to be supportive of members during these challenging times and offering them the opportunity to maintain their active status even if they are not able to apply in 2021.