Member Resources

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.

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 Goldapplication 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 January

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

MassMAP Training and Orientation sessions for nursing homes, assisted living residences and rest homes will be held on November 28, 29, and 30 in various locations throughout the State. This training will include an overview of MassMAP, a discussion on surge and transportation evacuation, completing and updating of facility information in the MassMAP system and emergency reporting. Attendance at this session is recommended for administrators, DONs and maintenance/facility staff that are new to MassMAP. Pre-work will be required prior to

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 and December 12 at Shrewsbury Commonwealth Medicine Amphitheater. This training will cover the Level 1 PASRR form and the Level 2 process for both DMH and DDS. Staff and individual providers under the

On November 15, 2016 the Department of Public Health, Division of Health Care Quality released Circular Letter DHCQ:16-11-662 Admissions of Residents on Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder to Long Term Care Facilities. This circular letter provides guidance to long-term care facilities that admit residents that require skilled nursing care and who are also being treated for opioid use disorder with medication assisted treatment (MAT).

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Care Safety & Quality's webinar regarding Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in nursing homes is scheduled for tomorrow, November 17th from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. During this webinar, staff from the Bureau’s Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification will share guidance with nursing homes on the topic of SUD in nursing homes. This presentation will assist nursing homes in understanding a facility’s role in regard to treatment and safety

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) last week issued its Administrative Bulletin setting forth the compliance criteria and reporting procedures for the $35.5million Direct Care Add On program included in the SFY 2017 budget act. We are pleased to report that EOHHS responded to a number of concerns raised by MSCA in regard to the compliance rules, including: (1) baseline period, (2) ‘reconciliation’ process and (3) informational sessions. Baseline period – is set at January 1, 2016

Mass Senior Care brought together a sold-out crowd of over 1,000 long term care professionals at the 2016 Annual Meeting & Trade Show held at the DCU Center in Worcester on November 10th. The event’s popularity spoke to the high level of involvement of our member facilities and associate members from across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker opened the morning session by thanking attendees for proving high quality compassionate care and spoke about his personal experience with the staff

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

AHRQ’s new Nursing Home Antimicrobial Stewardship Guide is a research-based resource that offers step-by-step instructions and materials to help nursing homes improve antibiotic use and decrease harms caused by inappropriate prescribing. The guide, which is consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's core elements of antibiotic stewardship, can also help health care providers meet the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new Infection Prevention and Control Program requirements. That program requires providers to have a systemt o prevent

The Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes Campaign was initiated in September, 2006 with the mission to make nursing homes better places to live, work, and visit. With an unprecedented coalition of stakeholders, this voluntary effort helped focus providers, government entities, as well as professional and consumer advocates to help nursing homes measurably improve care. Please click here for information on the transitioning of this campaign to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Nursing Home Quality Improvement

“There is a saying that if you do not know where you are coming from, you will never know where you are going. My geriatric patients are living pieces of history who have so much insight about life and the way it falls together. It is always a pleasure and honor taking care of them, because they have allowed me to have a future.” Before entering nursing school Latanya Marriott was almost certain she would specialize in pediatrics. It was

OSHA has updated its Guidelines for Safety and Health Programs. The guidelines are not new mandates, but are recommended practices to prevent workplace injuries that can be implemented in any industry. They are designed to be used in a variety of small-and medium-sized business settings, including senior living providers. The Administration has compiled tools, such as a program audit tool to help providers evaluate their safety and health program. The website also includes action items for employers, case studies and

OSHA has extended the effective date of the anti-retaliation provision in its final rule, Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses until Dec. 1, 2016. This is an additional extension from the original August date, which was then extended until Nov. 1, 2016. This is one provision of the OSHA rule, which requires nursing centers, assisted living communities, and other employers to electronically submit workplace injuries and illnesses as well as post anti-retaliation protections for workers who report work-related injuries or illnesses. Source: OSHA

In memorandum S&C: 17-03-NH, dated October 24, 2016, CMS announced that it is developing an online training program for Regional Offices (RO), State Survey Agencies (SA), providers, and other stakeholders on the new federal Nursing Home Regulations. This online training will include information about Phase 1 of the regulations and will be available to all parties starting November 18, 2016. All long term care (LTC) surveyors are required to complete this training in order to be able to conduct any

CMS will host the next National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI MLN Connects® Call on Tuesday, December 6 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm ET. During this call, participants will learn about the reform of requirements for long-term care facilities, highlighting the Behavioral Health Services & Pharmacy Services sections. A Tennessee nursing home will also discuss innovative approaches that they implemented to dramatically reduce the use of antipsychotic medications. Additionally, CMS subject matter experts will share updates on

Please mark your calendars to participate in a webinar regarding Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in nursing homes presented by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality. During this webinar, staff from the Bureau’s Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification will share guidance with nursing homes on the topic of SUD in nursing homes. This presentation will assist nursing homes in understanding a facility’s role in regard to treatment and safety, and what

Mass Senior Care Association in collaboration with Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, developed the PATH (Post-Acute Transition Home) Tool to ensure discharges between care settings have warm handoffs, pertinent clinical information and the most comprehensive picture of the patient in real time. This tool is designed for nursing facilities to use when discharging patients to the home health setting and would ideally decrease unnecessary hospital readmissions. PLEASE NOTE: THIS WEBINAR IS FOR MASS SENIOR CARE NURSING FACILITY MEMBERS ONLY. To

We are very pleased that Governor Charlie Baker will deliver opening remarks at our November 10th Annual Meeting at the DCU Center in Worcester. Following Governor Baker, David Seltz, Executive Director of the Health Policy Commission, will present Impact of the Opioid Epidemic on the Health Care System in Massachusetts. Join colleagues from across the state for a thought-provoking session on how to transform a "one-size-fits-all" nursing facility into a quality living environment for all individuals, including those with complex

This is a really interesting topic!

blah blahblahblahblahblahblah blah blah

The Board of Registration in Nursing (Board) will no longer issue license renewal reminders or paper licenses beginning with the 2018 renewal period. The Board will use email to communicate renewal reminders and important changes in statute, regulations and policies related to nursing. Please note that requiring a hard copy of a license is not a state or federal law. As stated in the BORN memo, “Licensure status can be verified by accessing the Board of Registration in Nursing (Board)

Due to the upcoming holiday weekend, this year's AHCA Silver Award notification date will be moved from Friday, June 30 to Thursday, July 6. Please mark your calendars with this change. The new date will ensure that AHCA has the resources to provide exceptional service and be responsive should members need assistance when they receive the notification.

Mass Senior Care Association has partnered with our national association, American Health Care Association (AHCA) to help you meet the new Infection Preventionist specialized training requirement finalized by CMS in the Reform of Requirements of Participation for Long Term Care Facilities. This Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) course provides education for healthcare professionals who seek to serve as Infection Preventionists. Individuals who complete the course will be trained to effectively implement and manage an Infection Prevention and Control Program at

Massachusetts Senior Care Association’s 2017 Nursing Facility Employment Survey has been mailed out to Nursing Facility Administrators. The deadline to return the survey has been extended to Friday, July 14, 2017. Mass Senior Care member providers have traditionally used the results of this survey to help them assess their wage and benefit packages. The aggregate survey data also enable us to document the costs associated with staff recruitment and retention, health insurance coverage and other factors as we continue to

On June 28, 2017 the Determination of Need Office issued notification that it has promulgated two new Guidelines and issued a clarification of the MCE Guideline, all three of which should be available on the DoN Website shortly. Specifically: June 29, 2017 Update to Annual Adjustments to Determination of Need (DoN) Expenditure Minimums – updates Maximum Capital Thresholds effective October 1, 2016; Disaggregation – The purpose of this memorandum is to inform interested parties of the time period Applicants should

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has issued Administrative Bulletin 17-11/Nursing Facility User Fee Update, which amends the Per Diem User Fee, effective July 1, 2017. Effective July 1, 2017 dates of service, the user fees have been reduced to the following: Facility Group Per Diem User Fee Effective July 1, 2017 Group 1 $20.40 Group 2 $2.04 Group 3 $2.04 Group 4 $0.00 The new user fee reflects EOHHS’ projection to generate $240 million for the

On July 26th, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that Senate Republicans will delay a vote on the Senate’s Affordable Care Act replacement bill until after the July 4th Congressional recess due to opposition from enough Republican Senators to block the bill from moving forward.