Mass Senior Care is making resources available in its COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit accessible to staff by providing materials in four different languages, including Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Traditional Chinese. All of the resources, including posters, a template letter to staff and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be accessed and downloaded from our COVID-19 Vaccination webpage, https://www.maseniorcare.org/covid-vaccine.

The Massachusetts Congressional Delegation this week sent a letter, led by Congresswoman Lori Trahan, to the Director of the CDC requesting that the CDC approve the Commonwealth’s request to offer four vaccination clinics at long-term care facilities in Massachusetts through the Long-Term Care Pharmacy Partnership Program.

Amidst celebratory backdrops, on December 28th more than 30 nursing facilities in Massachusetts began vaccinating residents and staff with the COVID-19 vaccine, offering a sign of hope to facilities that have courageously battled this insidious virus over the past 10 months. “Today marks a critical and hopeful milestone in our fight against Covid-19 with the first wave of vaccines being distributed in nursing facilities across the Commonwealth,” said Tara M. Gregorio, Mass Senior Care Association President.

Members are asked to respond to MSCA vaccination clinic outreach, reminded about the definition of staff for vaccination, given information on BinaxNOW Rapid Point of Care COVID-19 Testing for ALR, and invited to register for today’s COVID-19 vaccine safety chat with AHCA, CMC and the CDC.

Memo shares information on a provider experience with COVID-19 vaccination clinic, BinaxNOW guidance for LTC facilities, EOHHS final October 2020 Medicaid Rate regulation with modifications, HHS update of the Provider Relief Fund FAQ, and provides a reminder about the DPH weekly call.

Member COVID-19 updates on MassHealth 2nd Room Density Report due 12/31/2020; MassHealth increasing supplemental payment for the new targeted Isolation Space Program; new DPH webpage for COVID-19 guidance for LTC facilities; healthcare license renewals extended; additional CDC resources on COVID-19 vaccination, and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet.

DPH released updated Guidance Regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel at Massachusetts Nursing Homes and Rest Homes for the 2020-2021 Season and MassHealth has issued Eligibility Operations Memo (EOM) 20-21 Level-of-Care Screening Process.

This memo shares information on COVID-19 vaccination materials available in four languages, reminds members to update November Surveillance testing payments with CHIA, and provides a corrected link for assisted living CLIA waivers.

Member updates on Congress passing a $900 billion stimulus package, new rate for staff surveillance testing, CDC releases additional guidance on COVID-19 vaccination in long-term care facilities, OSHA releases resource for understanding compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard, county positivity rates >10% in Bristol & Nantucket counties, MassHealth issues bulletin on Coverage and Payment for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration, Testing, and Monoclonal Antibody Product Infusion, and DPH weekly call reminder.

Another reminder to members regarding the Town Hall Meeting at 8 pm Tonight with EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders.