Information on DPH updates for discharged residents returning for second COVID-19 vaccination and testing and county positivity rates.

A memo on reporting possible adverse events post-vaccination, President Biden's National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness, Executive Order on protecting worker health and safety, and Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal update.

The deadline to submit an AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award application is quickly approaching! All applications and payments must be received by 8 pm Eastern on January 28, 2021.

To assist members in meeting their ongoing workforce needs and complying with the Commonwealth’s newly established staffing standard of 3.58 hours per patient day (HPPD), Mass Senior Care has developed several resources for members to consider when recruiting and retaining CNAs, nurses, and Resident Care Assistants (RCAs). These resources offer best practices Mass Senior Care has learned from other long term care provider members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mass Senior Care’s education programs will continue to be offered virtually for the next several months. Members receive discounted rates on all education programs/webinars, including partnership programs such as Harmony Healthcare. Please click on the links for each program to access the registration program or email lnguyen@maseniorcare.org if you have any questions.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) has implemented a new Determination of Need (DoN) Program Listserv. To subscribe to the listserv, copy and paste the following link into your preferred browser: https://www.mass.gov/don/listserv-enroll. Subscribing to this new email list will ensure your facility is kept up-to-date with DoN Program news and updates.

A memorandum on DPH therapeutic guidance for LTC facilities, HHS launch of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal, Mass Senior Care's development of several resources for members to consider when recruiting and retaining CNAs, nurses, and Resident Care Assistants (RCAs), DPH Weekly Call, and CMS’ response to follow up questions related to the new COVID-19 ICD-10 Codes and Coding Guidance.