An audio recording and transcript are now available for the October 27th call on Long-Term Care Facilities: Reform of Requirements. Learn about the changes included in the final rule; implementation and survey process; and provider training and resources. Source: CMS

AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is pleased to announce that the 2017 application packets are now available online. In addition, the 2017 program calendar and submission checklist have been posted to each award level page. Please visit the Bronze, Silver or Gold application pages to download application materials specific to your respective award level to see how your center should begin preparing. Important Dates to Remember November 17 - Intent to Apply Deadline December 1 - Applications are accepted online

Representatives from the Department of Mental Health (DMH), Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), and the MassHealth Office of Long Term Services and Supports (OLTSS) will be providing a general PASRR overview training in December – December 5 at Lawrence Public Library, December 12 at Shrewsbury Commonwealth Medicine Amphitheater, and December 19, 2016 in Springfield at the Central Library Community Room. This training will cover the Level 1 PASRR form and the Level 2 process

The Department of Public Health presented the proposed revisions to 105 CMR 150.000 Licensure of Long Term Care Facilities to the Public Health Council on November 9, 2016. Mass Senior Care provided the DPH with recommendations for revision and/or deletion of specific regulatory requirements for these regulations last year. Mass Senior Care will convene a meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Mass Senior Care office to review the proposed revisions and prepare

Last week the Department of Public Health, Bureau of Healthcare Quality, Division of Facility Licensure and Certification, presented a webinar on Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in Long Term Care Facilities. Please click here for a copy of the presentation. Massachusetts Senior Care Association (MSCA) has been receiving reports from members of significant compliance issues with regard to the care of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) patients in nursing facilities. Patients are increasingly presenting with unforeseen issues and needs which have sometimes

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has scheduled three Nursing Facility Direct Care Add-On Training Sessions: Boston/December 1, Shrewsbury/December 7 and Springfield/December 9. This will be an opportunity for nursing facilities to obtain clarification on the spending test rules. As noted in MSCA’s November 16, 2016 E-News Update, EOHHS has issued an Administrative Bulletin and will soon be posting the Compliance Form worksheets on its website. EOHHS is requesting that individuals register for one training session only

JGS Lifecare recently celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Sosin Center for Rehabilitation in Longmeadow. Nearly 200 people attended the ceremony, including Congressman Richard Neal, JGS Lifecare’s staff, residents, board members, business and community leaders. JGS Lifecare partnered with The Green House Project to develop Sosin Center, which is a state-of-the-art, patient-centered model of care that aims to reduce medication and hospitalizations while affording greater socialization and interaction with caregivers. Due to open later in the year, Sosin

Bridges by EPOCH, an assisted living residence in Hingham, has a "Bus Stop to Nowhere" which was recently showcased at the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s 67th Annual Convention and Expo in Nashville and Mass Senior Care's recent Annual Meeting. The idea serves as an example of person-centered, life enrichment programming aimed at improving the quality of life for assisted living residents living with dementia. Please click here to view.

On November 10, 2016 CMS, through its Quality Technical Support Office, e-mailed a notice to all providers related to PBJ submissions. CMS has addressed several technical questions related to the PBJ submission process and, most notably, has indicated they will accept data submission past the deadline and will not impose penalties for providers that have not met the deadline at this time. Please click here access the CMS message in its entirety.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Survey and Certification Group is providing general information regarding the implementation plans for the new Emergency Preparedness Rule. The information addresses the implementation date for providers and suppliers, the development of Interpretive Guidelines (IGs), surveyor training and resources available to assist in the implementation of this regulation. The regulation affects all 17 providers and suppliers and must be fully implemented by November 15, 2017.