The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued on Friday, April 10, 2020 its proposed federal fiscal year 2020 (FFY 2021) Medicare SNF PPS rule.

The Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) has announced that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, CHIA is postponing the FY2019 deployment of all nursing facility cost reports.

Yesterday, EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders responded in a letter to MSCA’s urgent request for assistance, outlining the steps the Administration has taken to date to support nursing homes during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Responds to MSCA Urgent Request for Assistance; Enhanced MassHealth Financing; Long Term Care Staffing Portal; Report Detailing Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by City/Town Date: April 16, 2020 EOHHS Responds to MSCA Urgent Request for Assistance: Outlines Steps to Date to Support Nursing Facilities Today, EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders responded in a letter to MSCA’s urgent request for assistance, outlining the steps the Administration has taken to date

In this memo we are providing you with several updates and a reminder about the DPH Weekly call scheduled for tomorrow. Updates included new OSHA Resources; New CMS Cohorting Guidance; Boston Hope Hospital and DCU Center Field Hospital; Update on CMS Revises COVID-19 FAQs on FFS Billing and AHCA Summary of Available Resources

In this memo we are providing you with several updates related to the updated guidance for testing, MassHealth investment waiver of certain regulatory requirements, update on long term care staffing portal, an extension on E-Kits and guidance on hospice services. Please continue to visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage for resources and updates.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Association Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: PPE Order Instructions, To be completed by 7pm ET on Monday, April 13 Date: April 13, 2020 In an effort to assist with the PPE shortage, Mass Senior Care Association is partnering with the MIT Covid Policy Alliance to place a bulk PPE order for N95 Masks, gowns and gloves from China. We are fortunate to offer MSCA members the ability to order PPE scheduled to arrive

Mass Senior Care is providing guidance to members related to CMS and State regulations for the Training and Certification of Nurse Aides. This document clarifies the regulations that allow you to hire an aide and allows that aide ninety days after hire to complete training. The facility is responsible for ensuring that the aide is competent to do the tasks he/she is assigned.

With the anticipated peak of the COVID-19 virus expected to occur over the next 10 days, there will be increased media focus on the care being provided by skilled nursing facilities across the Commonwealth. Against incredible odds, our 77,000 dedicated caregivers are taking extraordinary measures to keep residents safe and connected to their loved ones.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the distribution of the first $30 billion of the $100 billion stimulus fund included in the CARES Act.