Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds; Updated PPE Guidance and Filing Deadline Reminder Date: May 22, 2020 HHS Releases $4.9B in COVID-19 Relief for Skilled Nursing Facilities The federal government today announced the distribution of almost $4.9 billion in COVID-19 relief funds directly to skilled nursing facilities, the first specific tranche of stimulus money for the industry released since the start of the pandemic. HHS will make relief

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations; Compliance Filing Deadline Reminders Date: May 20, 2020 CMS Issues Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations for State and Local Officials On May 18, CMS provided recommendations on a nursing home phased reopening for states. The recommendations cover the following items: Recommendations for testing residents and staff Dedicated space for cohorting residents with COVID-19 Criteria for relaxing certain restrictions and mitigating the risk

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration released guidance aimed at protecting nursing homes and long term care facilities workers from exposure to COVID-19. Many of the recommendations are based on CDC guidance including optimizing PPE, screening workers and sending sick workers home

Mass Senior Care is pleased to share positive stories which have been included in local and statewide coverage of dedicated caregivers and the incredible stories of recovery from patients. We encourage members to share their positive posts or stories of recovery on social media with us by tagging @MASeniorCare or using hashtag #NursingHomeHeroes.

Nursing facilities are facing unprecedented workforce and financial crises which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mass Senior Care Association’s Board of Director’s voted in February 2020 to support the Nursing Home Ballot Initiative which would allow voters to create a permanent and critical law requiring the state to adequately fund and support nursing home care.

Webinar - Meeting Staff Baseline Testing: How to Prepare for Workforce Disruptions Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar on Wednesday, May 20th from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Meeting Staff Baseline Testing: How to Prepare for Workforce Disruptions. Nursing facilities across the Commonwealth are preparing to meet the staff and resident baseline testing requirement by the May 25th deadline. This webinar will provide an overview of workforce resources available and what nursing facilities can do to meet their workforce demands during

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Updated MassHealth FAQ; Stimulus Checks; Reminders for DPH and CMS Calls Date: May 19, 2020 MassHealth Issues Updated FAQ on Accountability and Support for Phase 2 Funding – (1) Baseline Testing (May 25 th ) and Initial Financial Plan (May 21 st ) MassHealth today updated it FAQ MassHealth Nursing Facility COVID-19 Accountability and Support Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – 5-19-2020, which provides updated guidance on

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: MassHealth Phase 2 Supplemental Payments; Register for May 20 th Webinar on Managing Possible Workforce Disruptions; Occupational Exposure & Return to Work Guidance Date: May 18, 2020 MassHealth Phase 2 Supplemental Payments: (1) Initial Plan Filing Deadline May 21 st and (2) Baseline Testing by May 25 th with Attestation As a reminder to members, the MassHealth Phase 2 Medicaid Supplemental funding for May and June

Temporary Nursing Agencies - Mass Senior Care Associate Members During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mass Senior Care members are encouraged to find long term care products, supplies and services through our list of Associate Members/Preferred Vendors. To assist members with workforce disruptions, below is a list of Mass Senior Care Associate Members which provide temporary nursing services: connectRN connectRN is here to help our partners in the long term care sector during the COVID-19 crisis. Through our technology and advanced outreach