The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Determination of Need (DoN) Office has issued a notice regarding the implementation of the new DoN regulations, which took effect on January 27, 2017. The DoN office notes that it is fine-tuning the application form and process, to convert the current two part Application into a merged document to make the filing simpler. On February 28th, the DoN Office will be hosting an informational briefing, please see article below for registration details. If you

The Department of Public Health has released revised Circular Letter: DHCQ 17-2-699 Informed Written Consent for Use of Psychotropic Medications in Long-Term Care Facilities. These revisions address some of the concerns raised by Mass Senior Care to DPH after issuance of the Department's original circular letter last year. The purpose of the letter is to revise, update and replace the policies and guidance published in the February 1, 2016 Circular Letter: DHCQ 16-2-653. This revision includes: Clarification that verbal consent

Please Call and Ask Your State Legislators to Co-Sponsor HD.2510/SD. 977, Nursing Home Stabilization Legislation WE NEED 100 CO-SPONSORS BEFORE TOMORROW AT 5PM! Click here to see the 71 LEGISLATORS who are co-sponsoring now ACTION ALERT: Please call and ask your state representative and senator to co-sponsor House Docket 2510 and Senate Docket 977 – Acts Relative to Stabilizing the Commonwealth’s Nursing Facilities filed by Representative Tom Golden, Jr. and Senator Harriette Chandler. This legislation would require the state to

“Graduating from the BSN Program at Salem State University would make me the first person in my family to ever graduate from a college or university.” The daughter of immigrants, Laura Wheeler is a two-time recipient of a Mass Senior Care Foundation Scholarship, initially in 2008 when her award helped her advance her education and career from a CNA to an LPN at Lighthouse Nursing Care Center. She has since been further promoted at the Center, first to Charge Nurse

CMS issues PBJ Information for software developers, vendors and providers and has an updated errata V2.00.2 posted for the PBJ Data Submission Specifications V2.00.0 and is now available. One item has been added to the errata to incorporate edit -4018 which is a new special character restriction for the Employee ID field. During the January downtime weekend of 01/22/2017 Employee IDs that contain invalid special characters shall be automatically updated to a character that is allowed by edit -4018 and

Mass Senior Care Association is reinstating quarterly meetings for the Human Resources Group, as detailed in the 2017 HR Group Meeting Schedule. Please contact Carolyn Blanks directly if there are specific topics and/or speakers you would like to see featured at future meetings. Mass Senior Care members may be also be interested in a free upcoming one-hour webinar on February 2 nd, “Marijuana in the Workplace:Navigating Potential Potholes” presented by Attorney David Wilson of the employment law firm Hirsch Roberts

The Department of Public Health has issued Circular Letter DHCQ 17-1-667 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel at Massachusetts Adult Day Health Programs, Non- Ambulatory Surgical Center Clinics, Nursing Homes and Rest Homes for the 2016-2017 Influenza Season. This Circular Letter provides a link to detailed guidance addressing the steps required for the identified providers to submit annual Health Care Personnel Influenza Vaccination Data DPH by April 15, 2017.

Mass Senior Care worked with legislators to file 14 bills for the 2017-2018 legislative session intended to promote quality nursing home care. Legislation filed includes: (1) the Nursing Home Stabilization Bill filed by Representative Tom Golden and Senator Harriette Chandler and (2) Nursing Home Quality Jobs Initiative filed by Representative John Lawn and Senator Marc Pacheco. These two proposed legislative bills would require the state to provide adequate Medicaid funding by updating Medicaid rates using more current costs; requiring a

On January 25, 2017 Governor Baker released his state fiscal year (SFY 2018) budget recommendation, totaling $40.5 billion. The Governor’s recommendation includes a continuation of the current $35.5 million nursing facility direct care wage add on, included as a separate line item at 4000-0641. The Governor’s budget recommendation would also: (1) Allow EOHHS to use base year costs in CY 2007 or any subsequent year to set Medicaid nursing home rates (Outside Section 73); (2) Maintain the user fee assessment

Nicole Cimea’s passion for nursing began as a nine year old child in Haiti when she assisted her mother in the care of her grandfather when the family didn’t have the money to take him to the local clinic. Nicole was responsible for helping him with bathing and meals, a personal experience she credits with having a lasting impact on her life and launching her desire to become a nurse. Upon graduating from high school in Haiti, Nicole moved to