On June 6, 2022, CMS released an updated Payroll Based Journal Technical User’s Guide. Nursing facilities should run staffing reports that are available in CASPER to verify the accuracy and completeness of their final submission prior to the submission deadline. CMS will conduct audits to assess a facility’s compliance related to quarterly reporting.

On June 9, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) affirmed their strong support for the goals of MassHealth’s 1115 extension proposal submitted in December 2021 and approved a temporary extension of the current 1115 waiver while CMS and MassHealth finalize negotiations on the 5-year agreement. The temporary extension updates the expiration date for the current 1115 waiver to September 30, 2022. 

Palm Center in Chelmsford, a Mass Senior Care member facility, is being recognized with a 2022 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The award is the second of three distinctions possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, which honors long term and post-acute care providers that have demonstrated their commitment to improving the quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities.

On June 29, 2022 CMS released QSO-22-19-NH Revised Long-Term Care Surveyor Guidance which includes revisions to surveyor guidance on Phases 2 & 3, arbitration agreement requirements, investigating complaints and facility reported incidents and the psychosocial outcome severity guide.

Eighteen House Representatives, including Representative James McGovern, Representative Stephen Lynch and Representative Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts signed onto a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure requesting that the agency consider a three-year phase-in of the Medicare PDPM parity adjustment, so payment reductions are avoided in FY 2023.

On July 31, 2022, the Department of Public Health will begin enforcing the Putting Patients First statute, G.L., c. 111, s. 228 (“PPF”). This law requires health care providers to notify patients about charges and payments for proposed admissions, procedures, services, and referrals that are specific to the patient’s insurance carrier. This law authorizes the DPH, consistent with its authority to regulate health care providers, to penalize providers who fail to comply with a penalty up to $2,500 for each

The DPH released Updates to Long-Term Care Surveillance and Outbreak Testing guidance, and information on MassHealth Robotics Processing Automation (RPA) Policy.

Members are provided information on nurse aide testing requirements and a DPH webinar “Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection in the Healthcare Setting.”