E-News Update Articles

MassHealth today notified nursing facilities that the UMASS Portal for the Electronic Filing of the 2022 Final Direct Care Cost-Quotient (DCC-Q) Filing is live. The Final Filing is due on July 30th and nursing facilities must file the form electronically on the UMASS portal.

Massachusetts Senior Care Association is pleased to launch the Vote 2022 Campaign to ensure the long term care community has the opportunity to vote in the upcoming elections. At the November 8, 2022 Election, Massachusetts voters will elect a new Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, constitutional officers, members of Congress and local elected officials.

Members are provided information on MassHealth payments, last week's Massachusetts State Senate unanimous passing of S.2973 an act to expand access to high-quality, affordable early education and care, and OHHS responses to issues and concerns regarding the new brokered transportation process identified by members in a recent Mass Senior Care survey.

The FY23 Budget Conference Committee is continuing its deliberations to adopt the new state fiscal year budget for the July 2022 through June 2023 period and Mass Senior Care is continuing to urge lawmakers to support both the $40 million in workforce funding contained in the House budget and the $75 million in workforce funding and nursing facility quality improvement in the Senate budget, and CMS yesterday issued guidance on staffing measures tied to the five-star rating system, updating its staffing measures to include three on staffing levels and three on staff turnover.

The Boston Medical Center Training and Technical Assistance (BMC TTA) is offering DATA waiver trainings in July. This eight-hour course prepares physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder.

Over the past two years, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the federal government issued several 1135 waivers related to routine life safety code requirements. Now that these waivers have been rescinded, it’s time for nursing facilities to return to the basics as it relates to compliance with life safety code requirements.

In an effort to support members with the revised Long Term Care Surveillance Testing guidance, Mass Senior Care has informed member medical supply vendors of the increased demand for rapid antigen test kits, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) will be holding a conference call for long-term care facilities on Wednesday, July 13 at 11:00 a.m.

DPH released a Clinical Advisory for long term care facilities regarding infection prevention and control recommendations related to invasive group A streptococcal infections.

We are pleased to announce that Susan Misiorski has joined Mass Senior Care Association as the Vice President of Workforce Development. “Susan brings with her the ability to implement new strategies in the context of today’s unique senior living operations challenges,” said Tara M. Gregorio, President of Mass Senior Care. “We are delighted to have her join the MSCA team to enhance our existing workforce offerings, particularly with regard to staff recruitment and retention and leadership development.”

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) recently convened, through an open procurement, representatives to serve on two Health Equity Technical Advisory Groups in support of the EOHHS Quality Measure Alignment Taskforce's goal of advising EOHHS on the measurement and reporting of health and health care inequities and accountability for reducing such inequities.

CMS recently issued QSO-22-19-NH, which outlines revisions to the following: Surveyor Guidance for some Phase 2 & and all Phase 3 Requirements of Participation; Arbitration Agreement Requirements; Investigating Complaints & Facility Reported Incidents; and Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) today issued an updated RY 2022 Medicaid nursing facility rate regulation which includes $40 million in annualized funding for a prospective FY 2023 Monthly Supplemental payment for the July 2022 through September 2022 period, and MassHealth today sent to nursing facilities three separate documents in regard to the Direct Care Cost-Question (DCC-Q) Final Filing for RY 2022, which is due on July 30, 2022.

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. 

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 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 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.

Mass Senior Care heard from several members yesterday that there was a discrepancy in the DPH data and the actual data that nursing facilities submitted to NHSN related to unboosted staff.

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 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.”

Join the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and the MassCyberCenter on July 14th at 10:00 am for their monthly health care provider cybersecurity call. Representatives of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Massachusetts State Police/Commonwealth Fusion Center will provide updates on recent cyber threats and trends. This meeting will include a case study of a cybersecurity incident from Chuck Nelson, CEO of Dickinson County Health System. These calls will continue to occur on the second Thursday of every month

There are so many learning opportunities at this year’s AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo. Over the course of four days, October 9-12, you can choose from more than 100 sessions in 20-plus tracks, covering all critical aspects of long term and post-acute care.

Mass Senior Care member facilities celebrate their CNAs during National Nursing Assistants Week from June 16-23, 2022. Massachusetts Senior Care Association is pleased to recognize our member CNAs who are dedicated to enhancing the quality care and quality of life of their residents.

America’s assisted living communities will participate in National Assisted Living Week® (NALW) September 11-17, 2022. The national observance—which begins each year on National Grandparents’ Day and is supported this year by official sponsor First Quality—honors the individuals who reside, work, and volunteer in assisted living and residential care communities with special activities and events. Created by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) in 1995, this year’s NALW theme – “Joyful Moments” – reflects the strong connection between residents and

MassHealth will be conducting its mandatory quarterly Nursing Facility Occupancy Survey for the July 1 census date. All licensed nursing facilities in the Commonwealth are required to complete the survey, including those that do not have MassHealth or Medicare residents.

The Berkshire County Regional Employment Board and Holyoke Community College have each been awarded $500,000 from the Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grants for Expanded Training Capacity & Employment Program Performance to provide training, placement, and retention services to unemployed and underemployed Massachusetts residents.

Mass Senior Care is participating in a virtual multi-state initiative to offer workshops for facilities interested in applying for the Bronze and Silver Quality Awards offered by AHCA/NCAL. These workshops are about more than an award; besides gaining a better understanding of what examiners are looking for and how to use the award criteria as an improvement tool, you will learn how to use the award process to focus, align, and accelerate your performance excellence efforts - becoming a high-performing

Information regarding MMQ Assessments, nursing facilities weekly surveillance testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in accordance with DPH long term care surveillance testing guidance, and the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act.

Broad Reach at Liberty Commons and The Victorian Assisted Living in Chatham welcomed Massachusetts' Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders and State Senator Julian Cyr, the Senate Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs for a visit and tour. Secretary Sudders and Senator Cyr visited several Cape Cod health and human services facilities this week to personally thank staff for their continued resilience and great work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week kicks off National Nursing Assistants Week, and Massachusetts Senior Care Association is pleased to recognize our member CNAs who are dedicated to enhancing the quality care and quality of life of their residents. Follow us on Facebook to view our members’ post highlighting CNAs and thanking them for all that they do.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to report, the Department of Public Health has extended to December 31, 2022, authorization for the issuance of temporary licenses for certain providers including RNs and LPNs, and renewal or reactivation of certain temporary licenses for health care providers.

As part of the AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing, Mass Senior Care members and staff met with Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts) in Washington DC last week to advocate on behalf of the long term care profession. As a result of Mass Senior Care member advocacy, Congressman McGovern co-signed a letter, led by Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA), requesting CMS to support a three-year phase-in of the parity adjustments and avoid payment reductions in FY2023.

CMS has released QSO-22-17-ALL, providing new information on how CMS will survey for compliance of the staff vaccination requirement, and beginning with the reporting week of June 27, 2022, the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) will update its definition of Up to Date for COVID-19 vaccines to align with the CDC definition.

The Department of Public Health has extended to December 31, 2022, authorization for the issuance of temporary licenses for certain providers including RNs and LPNs, and renewal or reactivation of certain temporary licenses for health care providers.

The Resident Care Assistant (RCA) role continues to be a critical entry-level position to recruit and retain the direct care workforce essential to meet the care needs of residents living in Massachusetts nursing facilities. RCA is a non-certified position created to support existing nursing staff, assist with resident care and create an accessible pipeline to future employment as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs.)

In the coming months, federal aid will dwindle as the government and states move toward a post-pandemic normal order of business. As SNFs continue to struggle with sluggish occupancy and workforce challenges, ensuring that every dollar earned for care delivery is retained will be imperative.

There are so many learning opportunities at this year’s AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo. Over the course of four days, you can choose from more than 100 sessions in 20+ tracks, covering all critical aspects of long term and post-acute care. You’ll also have the chance to earn up to 14.75 CE​s. Whether you are a c-suite executive, administrator, DON (nursing supervisor), corporate staff, or an assisted living professional, there’s something for you at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo!

Per state law, Chapter 19A, Section 43, all providers who contract with or receive funding from EOEA, ASAPs, MassHealth OLTSS which includes nursing facilities and those whose services are certified by EOEA must ensure that all current employees complete training on caring for and supporting LGBTQ seniors and their families

This week, Mass Senior Care members and staff took part in the AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing in Washington D.C., to advocate for nursing facility care and bring the profession’s legislative priorities to Capitol Hill. Mass Senior Care members had an ambitious schedule of meetings with House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, Congressman Jim McGovern, and legislative aides from the offices of U.S. Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, Congressmen Jake Auchincloss, Seth Moulton, Stephen Lynch, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.

DPH updated the Long Term Care Surveillance Testing guidance, and DPH also updated the Update to Caring for Long-Term Care Residents during the COVID-19 Response and included the Visitation Conditions, Communal Dining, and Congregate Activities from previous guidance to this update.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to announce a new virtual education program in collaboration with the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) and Zimmet Healthcare. AAPACN’s DNS-CT Certification Workshop will meet virtually from 9am – 1 pm on the following dates: September 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. Take your leadership and management talents to the next level with a preparatory workshop for AAPACN’s Director of Nursing Services—Certified (DNS-CT) certification. Earning this credential validates your expertise, gives you

This week, the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing issued a favorable report to H.4780, An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care. The omnibus nursing home reform bill legislation has now advanced to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

CMS revised QSO-20-41 Guidance related to Emergency Preparedness, on Friday, April 16, 2021, the Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators voted unanimously to reduce the required CEUS from 40 to 20 for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022, and register for tomorrow’s C. Auris Webinar - Candida auris (C. auris) was recently named one of five urgent threats in the CDC Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019 despite only being identified in 2016.

Governor Baker has announced the second round distribution for the $460 million COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay Program for low-income workers, CMS has provided clarification on the In-Service Training requirements of §483.95(g)(1) for SNFs and NFs, the ARPA grant opportunity, DPH conference call for long-term care facilities on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, and a webinar on the emerging threat of Candida auris in LTC facilities.

An earlier version of today's COVID-19 Update included an incorrect link to the ARPA Grant Opportunity.

National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) recently announced various revisions to the COVID-19 module pathways, DPH Issues memo on compliance with Resident Bedroom 2-Bed Maximum Requirement if hardship waiver request is denied, DPH monthly conference call for LTC facilities, MassHealth to host training webinars on how to schedule Enhanced Wheelchair (ECC) Transportation, register now for important education webinar on emerging threat of C. auris in LTC facilities.

Mass Senior Care filed comments this week on CMS’ FFY 2023 SNF Medicare Payment rule, requesting that the agency phase in the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) parity adjustment over three years in light of the staffing and financial challenges the nursing facility sector is experiencing as it battles to protect its residents and staff during the COVID pandemic.

Massachusetts Senior Care Association looks forward to celebrating National Nursing Assistants Week which kicks off on Thursday, June 16th. This annual celebration is an opportune time to formally recognize and acknowledge the valuable contributions made by members of your staff every day—especially the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who provide quality care to residents.

Two Mass Senior Care member facilities are being recognized with a 2022 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).