Member Resources

The FY20 MassHealth Direct Care Webform is now operational. The URL is https://www.uenter.org/nf/. The due date for filing the report is Friday, July 31, 2020.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) yesterday evening announced it will be sending $5 billion of the Provider Relief Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to Medicare-certified long term care facilities and state veterans’ homes (“nursing homes”), to build nursing home skills and enhance nursing homes’ response to COVID-19, including enhanced infection control. This funding could be used to address critical needs in nursing homes including hiring additional staff, implementing infection control “mentorship” programs with subject matter experts, increasing testing, and providing additional services, such as technology so residents can connect with their families if they are not able to visit. To qualify for the funding, nursing homes must participate in an online program focused on infection control and best practices. CMS and HHS are still working on the methodology for distribution of these funds. The agencies have made clear that their priorities are testing, funding for staffing costs and to address facilities in COVID-19 hotspots. We will provide more details on the funding distribution as they become available.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: HHS to Provide $5 Billion of Provider Relief Funds for Long Term Care Facilities Date: July 22, 2020 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will devote $5 billion of the Provider Relief Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to Medicare-certified long term care facilities and state veterans’ homes (“nursing homes”), to build nursing home skills and enhance

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: DHHS Releases Preliminary Reporting Guidance; Reporting Technical Issues with REDCap Reporting; NF Testing Providers; National CMS/CDC Nursing Home COVID-19 Training Date: July 22, 2020 DHHS Releases Preliminary Provider Relief Fund Reporting Guidance On July 21, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released a framework for more detailed Provider Relief Fund reporting guidance and materials to be released on August 17, 2020. In the

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: CDC Updates; NHSN Updates Instructions for Completing Supplies and PPE Pathway; Temporary Technical Issues with Data Submission for Chapter 93 Reporting; Weekly DPH and CMS Call Reminders Date: July 21, 2020 CDC Updates Transmission Based Precautions, Duration of Isolation, and Return to Work Criteria On July 17, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted substantial changes to the transmission-based precautions. As the CDC continues to learn

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates - Testing Partners; CHIA Testing Submission Due Today; Administrator CEU Requirement Waived; Business Compliance Webpage Date: July 20, 2020 Testing Partners – New Option Through ProEMS/The Broad Institute Nursing facilities and long term care facilities may partner or contract with hospitals, community health centers, ambulance/emergency medical services providers, clinical laboratories, or other entities able to provide COVID-19 testing services. In an effort to support members with

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Data Submission Platform – CHIA Webinar PPT Date: July 17, 2020 COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Data Submission Platform – CHIA Webinar PPT CHIA has issued the PowerPoint presentation from its July 16th webinar on how a nursing facility reports its baseline and surveillance testing data via the submission tool located here: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5678159/covid-nf-surveillance. The filing is due on July 20th. Additional information about

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: Direct Care Add On Webform Now Available; Cases Above Average in Most MA Communities Targeted for Testing; Google Chrome Recommended for Red Cap Reporting Date: July 17, 2020 Direct Care Add On Webform is Now Available – Due Date is Friday, July 31, 2020 The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) today informed nursing home registered users that the FY20 MassHealth Direct Care Webform

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, which is issued by SNF and other providers submitting claims for Medicare items and services to beneficiaries in situations where Medicare payment is expected to be denied.

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 June 2020. This new file is meant to replace the updated List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) database file available for download last month.

Through the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosts a weekly webinar series (every Thursday, 4-5 pm ET) to provide training for infection control processes in nursing homes.

The Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has recently concluded its public hearing and comment period with respect to 458 CMR 2.00.

The Trump Administration this week announced that HHS would embark on a one-time procurement of rapid point-of-care testing devices and tests to be distributed to nursing homes in COVID-19 hotspot areas of the United States.

In a letter to Health and Human Secretary Alex Azar, Mass Senior Care Association President Tara Gregorio has requested that HHS extend the public health emergency beyond the July 26th expiration date until specific criteria are met.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: CMS Call Today Regarding Point of Care Testing and Summary of Initiative Date: July 15, 2020 TODAY AT 5:30 PM EDT: CMS Call for Nursing Homes CMS Administrator Verma has scheduled a call for all nursing homes today (Wednesday, July 15) at 5:30 pm Eastern. She has some announcements and updates she wants to provide directly to nursing homes regarding their recent announcement on COVID-19 testing

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Register Now for CHIA Webinar on Baseline and Surveillance Testing Data Submission Platform; Correction on Guidance for Rest Home Surveillance Testing Date: July 15, 2020 CHIA Submission Tool Now Available The CHIA submission tool for reporting your baseline and surveillance testing is live and available for data entry here: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5678159/covid-nf-surveillance. The full list of questions can be accessed by clicking here. CHIA is hosting a webinar

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: MassMAP Reporting Discontinued; MassHealth Extends NF Coverage for Family Assistance Members; Guidance on Rest Home Surveillance Testing; NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Updates; DPH Weekly Call Reminder; and POC Testing Date: July 14, 2020 – Afternoon Edition MassMAP Reporting Discontinued Effective today, the State Command Center and DPH are discontinuing the daily reporting requirement through MassMAP. MassHealth Extends NF Coverage for Family Assistance Members MassHealth has issued

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: MassMAP Reporting Discontinued; POC Testing; MassHealth Extends NF Coverage for Family Assistance Members; Guidance on Rest Home Surveillance Testing; NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Updates; and DPH Weekly Call Reminder Date: July 14, 2020 – Afternoon Edition MassMAP Reporting Discontinued Effective today, the State Command Center and DPH are discontinuing the daily reporting requirement through MassMAP. CMS Announces Point Of Care Testing For Nursing Homes CMS today

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Issues Surveillance Testing FAQ and Request to Complete MSCA Survey Today Date: July 14, 2020 EOHHS Issues Surveillance Testing FAQ Last night EOHHS issued an FAQ for Long Term Care Facility Surveillance Testing which is established in Nursing Facility Bulletin 148: COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Requirements for Nursing Facilities and the Department of Public Health’s June 30th guidance. The state will provide supplemental payments

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Issues Surveillance Testing FAQ and Request to Complete MSCA Survey Today Date: July 14, 2020 EOHHS Issues Surveillance Testing FAQ Last night EOHHS issued an FAQ for Long Term Care Facility Surveillance Testing which is established in Nursing Facility Bulletin 148: COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Requirements for Nursing Facilities and the Department of Public Health’s June 30th guidance. The state will provide supplemental payments

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Reminder to TNS Agencies; Testing of Persons with Suspect COVID-19 and Updated Comprehensive PPE Guidance Date: July 13, 2020 EOHHS Sends a Reminder to TNS Agencies Regarding Maximum Rates for Nursing Facilities Effective July 1st The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) today sent a communication to temporary nursing services agencies with a reminder that the temporary 2-month (May and June) COVID-19 TNS rate

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Administrative Bulletins Regarding Direct Care Add-On and Surveillance Testing Date: July 10, 2020 EOHHS Issues Administrative Bulletins on (1) Extension of Direct Care Add-On and (2) Surveillance Testing Payment and Reporting Method EOHHS today issued two Administrative Bulletins that (1) extend the direct care rate add on for July 1st and (2) establish the Supplemental Payment method for Surveillance Testing. Please also note that the

Mass Senior Care is pleased to welcome new members to our Association, including Savoy Nursing and Rehab Center in New Bedford, a 39-bed skilled nursing facility owed by Didie Watsop.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous companies and individuals have made generous donations of PPE, computer tablets, technology services and monetary contributions to help support the staff and residents of nursing facilities.

The Department of Public Health last week released a memo providing clarifications to long term care visitor policies and establishing guidance on communal dining and outdoor group activities with appropriate precautions (masks, social distancing, etc).

Mass Senior Care urges members to please contact your Member of Congress to support nursing facilities, their residents, and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please ask your Member of Congress to urge Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to provide a special payment to nursing facilities that have and continue to care for COVID-19 patients, many of whom are now recovered.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: NF Testing Resources; DPH Issues Updated Comprehensive PPE Guidance; Health Care Services; Weekly DPH and CMS Call Reminder Date: July 6, 2020 Nursing Facility Testing Resources The Executive Office of Health and Human Services is requiring that nursing facilities implement a surveillance testing program as of July 1st beginning with a baseline testing of 90% of their staff who previously tested negative. Staff testing must be

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Data Submission Reporting and User Guide; DPH and CMS Call Reminders Date: July 7, 2020 DPH Issues Data Submission Reporting Memo and User Guide for Chapter 93 of the Acts of 2020 The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued a memorandum and User Guide that provide instructions for how nursing homes and rest homes are to report daily to DPH the number of COVID-19 cases

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: EOHHS Message on Surveillance Testing and Governor Baker Announces Offer Free COVID-19 Testing in Select Municipalities Date: July 8, 2020 EOHHS Issues Reminder on Surveillance Testing: Laboratory Samples Long term care facilities are reminded to independently coordinate testing for staff and residents with a testing provider. The state has provided a directory of testing options that facilities may make use of. Facilities should NOT send samples

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President RE: REMINDER: Weekly Reporting Filing Due TODAY (Monday, July 6th) – CHIA Portal Date: July 6, 2020 As part of the MassHealth Phase 2 Funding for COVID-19 which provides up to an additional $130 million (50% increase) in monthly funding for May and June, nursing facilities are required to submit weekly reports to the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to monitor measures related to staffing levels, COVID-19

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: MassHealth Issues COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Requirements for NFs Date: July 3, 2020 MassHealth Issues COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Requirements for NFs (NF Bulletin 148) EOHHS has issued MassHealth Nursing Facility Bulletin 148: COVID-19 Baseline and Surveillance Testing Requirements for Nursing Facilities. MassHealth is requiring that nursing facilities conduct baseline testing of 90% of their staff who previously tested negative no later than July

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: EOHHS Releases Guidance Regarding LTC Visitor Policies and Communal Dining Date: July 2, 2020 The Department of Public Health released a memo this afternoon providing clarifications to long term care visitor policies and establishing guidance on communal dining and outdoor group activities.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Update: Updated Guidance Expected to be Released from EOHHS Regarding Outdoor Visitation, Outdoor Congregate Activities and Communal Dining Date: July 2, 2020 Mass Senior Care Association anticipates that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services will issue guidance today or tomorrow to allow, with appropriate precautions (masks, social distancing, etc.) outdoor congregate activities and communal dining. In addition, the guidance for outdoor visits will be amended

Updated Preparing for COVID-19 in Nursing Homes

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has announced the availability of an additional $22M in special Emergency Solutions Grant COVID-19 (ESG-CV) Round Two funding to provide medium-term measures to address homelessness.

CHIA Announces 2019 Cost Reports Are Now Available for Submission

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, which is issued by SNF and other providers submitting claims for Medicare items and services to beneficiaries in situations where Medicare payment is expected to be denied.

This week The Berkshire Eagle published an op-ed, “COVID stats don't measure courage, compassion” by William C. Jones, President of Berkshire Healthcare Systems and Past-Chair of the Mass Senior Care Association.

On June 25th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to end the emergency blanket waiver requiring all nursing homes to resume submitting staffing data through the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system by August 14, 2020.

MassHealth announced via an email to Nursing Home Administrators that it will be conducting its mandatory quarterly Nursing Facility Occupancy Survey for the July 1 census date. In the email, MassHealth indicated that the census survey will now be conducted on behalf of MassHealth by the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released a memo specifying a surveillance testing strategy for all long-term care settings, including nursing homes, rest homes, and assisted living residences. Long term care providers should conduct new baseline testing of staff who previously tested negative no later than July 19, 2020, and adopt a surveillance testing program using this regimen.

Mass Senior Care hosted a webinar on July 1, 2020 titled, Are you ready for the COVID-19 Focus Survey? Our presenters, Lisa Thomson and Sue LaGrange, provided keen insights and updates related to COVID-19 Focus Survey. The session also provided leadership strategies for preparation and response to the focus survey. Below is the link and password to access the webinar recording. The link and password are valid until 7/30/2020. Webinar Resources Webinar Recording Access Password: 2T#gH09^ Webinar Slides

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: New Filing Process for MassHealth NF Census; Register Now for National Nursing Home Learning Network Webinar Date: July 1, 2020 MassHealth NF Census for July 1 – New Filing Process through UMASS MassHealth announced via an email to Nursing Home Administrators that it will be conducting its mandatory quarterly Nursing Facility Occupancy Survey for the July 1 census date. In the email, MassHealth indicated that the

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: EOHHS Announces Long Term Care Facility Surveillance Testing Program – Supplemental Funding to Cover Testing Costs Date: July 1, 2020 The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released a memo specifying a surveillance testing strategy for all long-term care settings, including nursing homes, rest homes, and assisted living residences. Long term care providers should conduct new baseline testing of staff who previously tested negative no later than July 19

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: Temporary Nursing Services Surge Rates Expire Today; COVID-19 Survey Activities Date: June 30, 2020 Temporary Nursing Services (TNS) COVID-19 Surge Rates Expires Today On May 8th, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services increased the Maximum Allowable Price for Temporary Nursing Services for a 2-month period covering May 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020. This temporary increase was designed to allow TNS agencies increased flexibility

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara M. Gregorio, President Re: COVID19 Updates: SNF Billing Guidance; Interim Financial Report Due Tomorrow (6/30); Update on PBJ Blanket Waiver; DPH Weekly Call Reminder Date: June 29, 2020 CMS Updates SNF Billing Guidance Related to Three-Day Stay, Spell-of-Illness Waivers ​The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on June 26 updated SNF billing guidance related to Medicare beneficiaries receiving care when a SNF utilizes the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) three-day stay