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.

As part of its overall 2021 nursing home rate and restructuring package, EOHHS today announced via a DPH memo that, effective immediately, the Determination of Need Program (DoN) Program will accept applications for new long-term care beds if the proposed project meets all of the following five criteria.

In an October 4th op-ed for Inside Sources, Tara Gregorio, President of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association and Mark Parkinson, President & CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living write "For long-term care professionals, COVID-19 has been especially challenging."

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services earlier this week issued the proposed 2021 Medicaid rate regulation that will invest significant funds in Rate Year 2021 (RY 2021), ranging up to $145 million for quality nursing home care covering (1) a new integrated rate structure for the RY 2021 rate and beyond, and (2) targeted COVID-19 Supplemental Funding.

Provides a follow-up to DPH’s memo October 5th on Point of Care Testing Devices for Nursing Homes and discusses CMS issuing S&C to State Survey Agencies on compliance with residents’ rights related to voting.

Members are provided information on the National Public Health Emergency renewed – COVID-19 waivers extension; mandatory flu vaccination of long-term care personnel, DPH lifting Determination of Need (DoN) moratorium on LTC beds for projects that meet certain criteria, the DPH weekly call, and HHS posting an application form to apply for Phase 3 Provider Relief Fund resources.

October 5, 2020 COVID-19 update with corrected DPH Guidance Memo

The DPH Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality released guidelines on the use of Point of Care testing devices in nursing facilities, in addition, DPH and EOEA released updates to LTC Surveillance Testing and reimbursement for ALR staff testing.

Keeps members informed about continued biweekly testing for nursing homes in EMS Regions 3 and 4, HHS announcement on a new opportunity to apply for Provider Relief Fund resources, modifications to the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments under 2021 Continuing Appropriations Act and the upcoming Webinars.