The Hand in Hand: A Training Series for Nursing Homes was previously developed as an instructor-led training conducted by nursing home staff for nurse aides. The Hand in Hand training is now be available as a self-paced, online training and is available to download for use as an instructor-led course. The updated Hand in Hand: A Training Series for Nursing Homes is available on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’s) Integrated Surveyor Training Website (ISTW). For help with

As noted in an earlier E-News Update, MassHealth is actively working on a waiver request to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that would, among other objectives, seek the flexibility to significantly increase enrollment in One Care and Senior Care Options (SCO) programs. This includes potential passive enrollment into SCO programs of all individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Mass Senior Care has expressed serious concerns to MassHealth in regard to the possibility of extending

MassHealth will be making changes to the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) process required of all nursing facility admissions in October 2018. To help all involved entities – nursing facilities, hospitals, and ASAPs – switch to the new process as smoothly as possible and stay compliant with the PASRR rules, MassHealth will be conducting PASRR trainings in the next several weeks. The training will be held at the following locations: Location Address Primary audience Dates Time Mount Saint Vincent

PointRight, a Mass Senior Care Associate Member, invites all Mass Senior Care members to participate in an upcoming webinar, Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM): The Basics, on Thursday, September 13, 2018 from 2:00pm-3:00pm EDT. This webinar will provide an overview of the basics of PDPM and will discuss the potential impact of this change on facilities’ care processes, and identify areas with a potential for error with recommendations for avoiding them. Please click here for more information on PointRight's upcoming PDPM

Mass Senior Care invites staff at member facilities to participate in various committees designed to share information on the topics of clinical quality, regulatory, human resources and finance and reimbursement. This information and feedback will assist MSCA staff with developing policy positions and prioritizing strategic initiatives. Committee meetings are held in Mass Senior Care’s office in Waltham. Facility members are invited to participate. If you are interested in attending one of the upcoming committee meetings, please contact Jennifer Chen. September

On August 10, 2018, Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a bill substantially limiting the use of non-competition agreements in Massachusetts. The law will only apply to non-competition agreements entered into on or after October 1, 2018, and with some exceptions will apply to both employees and independent contractors. It also broadly applies to independent contractors and includes any “forfeiture for competition” agreement.

As part of the Baker Administration’s regulatory review and efforts to provide short-term regulatory relief to the nursing home provider community, the Public Health Council authorized the Department of Public Health to promulgate revisions to 105 CMR 153.000, Licensure Procedure and Suitability Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities.These revisions became effective August 24, 2018. Mass Senior Care supported the adoption of the regulations which address many of the concerns Mass Senior Care members and other stakeholders put forth including removal of

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) today issued a Notice of Proposed Agency Action, which would update Medicaid nursing facility rates in FY 2019. EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders presented her FY 2019 proposal to Mass Senior Care Association Board of Directors and indicated that the regulation represents the agency's first step in a short-term stabilization package.