On July 31, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule [CMS-1679-F] outlining fiscal year (FY) 2018 Medicare payment rates and quality programs for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). In that rule, CMS finalized some key components of the SNF Value Based Purchasing (VBP) program, which impacts reimbursements starting next year. The SNF VBP Program has adopted scoring and operational policies for its first year (FY 2019) and has specified measures and program features as required

On Thursday, September 28th, the Mass Senior Care Foundation will honor its long time President, Marva Serotkin. The event will be held at Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley from 6-9 pm and we invite all members to join us as we honor Marva and raise funds for our flagship scholarship program. During her 10 years as President of the Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation and her previous tenure as Chair of the Mass Senior Care Association, Marva has championed the annual

The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated list, which reflects all OIG exclusions and reinstatement actions up to, and including, those taken in July 2017. This new file( https://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/exclusions_list.asp) is meant to replace the updated LEIE database file available for download last month. Individuals and entities that have been reinstated to the federal health care programs are not included in this file. The updated files are posted on the OIG’s

The Boston Home recently celebrated a groundbreaking for their Harmon Apartments project, which will create 36 units of accessible mixed-income housing with supportive services designed to promote independence for adults with progressive neurological diseases. Marva Serotkin, President of Mass Senior Care Foundation and President & CEO of The Boston Home was joined by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, State Rep. Dan Cullinane, developers and members of the disability community for this exciting milestone.

On July 28, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released Survey & Certification Memorandum 17-38 Fire and Smoke Door Annual Testing Requirements in Health Care Occupancies. This memorandum clarifies conflicting information released earlier this year. CMS has provided the following clarifications to the Life Safety Code® requirements for fire and smoke door assembly inspections: Fire door assemblies should be tested in accordance with the 2010 edition of NFPA 80 (the original email, dated 8/2/2017, mistakenly referenced NFPA

“One of my favorite parts of working as a nurse is the constant learning process, and seeing the smiles on patients’ faces and knowing that I am making a positive difference in their lives.” Following in her aunt’s footsteps, Holli Doherty had always dreamed of becoming a nurse. While she deferred pursuing this goal until her children were older, she eventually became an LPN and later obtained her RN degree to further her nursing education and career. Holli is the

The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) will host a call on Thursday, September 7, 2017 from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm regarding a new Facility Assessment Tool to help identify and develop the specific assessment of your facility. Also, find out about frequently asked questions related to revision of the State Operations Manual Appendix PP for Phase 2 of the Reform of Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities final rule. A question and answer session follows the presentation. Register for Medicare Learning

At the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs hearing on July 31 st, Mass Senior Care provided oral testimony in support of H.2079 An Act Relative to Promoting Innovation in Elder Care Services filed by Representative Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). The legislation would establish a zero-interest loan trust fund administered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The funds would allow for innovative solutions to the care and housing needs of our growing elder population. Skilled nursing facilities could access

On Thursday, September 28th, the Mass Senior Care Foundation will honor its long time President, Marva Serotkin. The event will be held at Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley from 6-9 pm and we invite all members to join us as we honor Marva and raise funds for our flagship scholarship program. During her 10 years as President of the Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation and her previous tenure as Chair of the Mass Senior Care Association, Marva has championed the annual

Beginning August 1, 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new electronic portal, the Injury Tracking Application (ITA), will be accessible for employers to file web-based reports of workplace injuries or illnesses. OSHA’s secure website offers several different options for how employers submit the data electronically. Under OSHA’s electronic record keeping rule, covered companies with at least 250 employees must submit information electronically from: •OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) •OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related