Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President RE: Workforce Survey; Temporary Nursing Services and Staff Recruitment Toolkit Date: May 12, 2020 MSCA Workforce Survey – Due Thursday, May 12th MSCA is keenly aware that COVID-19 has exacerbated pre-existing challenges in fully staffing facilities. Through enhanced Medicaid reimbursements during the surge period, the commonwealth is providing monthly supplemental payments to help address new costs associated with higher PPE, new infection control protocols and higher staffing wages to address

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President RE: REMINDER: First Weekly Reporting Filing Due TODAY (Monday, May 11) – CHIA Portal Date: May 11, 2020 As part of the MassHealth Phase 2 Funding for COVID-19 which provides up to an additional $130 million (50% increase) in monthly funding for May and June, nursing facilities are required to submit weekly reports to the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to monitor measures related to staffing levels, COVID-19

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President RE: MassHealth Issues Testing Policy Documents; Guidance on Nursing Facility Infection Control Competency Checklist Date: May 9, 2020 MassHealth Issues (1) NF Bulletin 146/Baseline Testing Requirements and (2) FAQ related to Accountability for MassHealth Supplemental Funding MassHealth has issued 2 documents: (1) providing guidance on baseline testing requirements for residents and staff and (2) answering questions via an FAQ for accountability provisions related to the MassHealth supplemental funding during the

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Date: May 8, 2020 MassHealth Issues Weekly Report Data Submission Guide: Mandatory Weekly Reporting for Phase 2 MassHealth Funding: First Filing Due on Monday, May 11 MassHealth today issued instructions on the Weekly Reporting (1) filing method and (2) data elements to be reported, as part of the MassHealth Phase 2 Funding for COVID-19 which provides up to an additional $130 million (50% increase) in monthly funding for May and

This week clinical audits have begun for nursing facilities statewide. As discussed on the webinar last week, nursing facilities are being assessed on 5 core competencies included in the Infection Control Competency Checklist. Mass Senior Care in collaboration with Hebrew SeniorLife will host a webinar on Friday, May 8, 2020 to provide a comprehensive overview of the core competencies related to cohorting and PPE as well as practical implementation tips and resources.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Update on Reporting Requirements; NHSN Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Module Date: May 7, 2020 CMS Releases Memo on Interim Final Rule Updating Requirements for Reporting and Notification of Confirmed and Suspected COVID-19 Cases Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes On May 6, 2020, CMS released a QSO memo addressing the Interim Final Rule requiring nursing homes to report to NHSN on COVID-19 as well as

In response to Mass Senior Care’s advocacy, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Executive Office of Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders last week announced a second round of funding, up to $130 million for nursing facilities to support COVID-19 response efforts over the next two months. This funding will support staffing costs, infection control and personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition to increased financial support, the Administration has required baseline testing for staff and residents of nursing facilities.

The Department of Public Health has announced it is making funding available to nursing homes and rest homes to purchase communicative technology. We encourage you to complete the application which is due Monday, May 11th. If you need assistance with equipment and pricing information, please contact Ann Marie Antolini at Mass Senior Care Association.

During National Nurses’ Week, Mass Senior Care want to thank you all for the extraordinary work you do each and every day and know that our number one priority is to provide you with the support and resources necessary to keep our facility staff safe and our residents well cared for.