FEDERAL UPDATE
Feds Plan to Deliver Rapid-Results Testing Equipment and Tests to All Nursing Homes
At a press conference yesterday afternoon, Vice President Pence and officials from HHS and CMS announced the Administration’s plan to deploy point of care COVID-19 testing in every nursing home across the country. They said this will include point of care, rapid, on the spot, 20 tests per hour, instruments, along with tests. Starting next week the first 2,000 facilities (in areas deemed a “hot spots” by the feds) will be sent the tests and testing equipment. Over the following weeks, they will distribute to the remaining 13,400 facilities. There is no information yet on when Kansas providers will receive the equipment and tests.
HHS posted this announcement providing more background about the new testing initiative, though many questions remain unanswered. The devices HHS will distribute are systems that use antigen tests on samples collected with nasal swabs. Facilities will receive either the Quidel Sofia, Sofia 2 or BD Veritor Plus systems, which have received emergency FDA authorization. It is noted that “these tests may be slightly more likely to have a false negative result than molecular PCR COVID tests.
LeadingAge CEO Katie Smith Sloan was quoted in a story by Skilled Nursing News, saying that numerous questions still remain. She said: “Given the federal government’s many announcements that sounded big but delivered less, we look forward to learning more details about the plans. For example, how will providers be trained? Will supplies be provided on an ongoing basis? Our members will be basing significant infection control decisions based on the tests results, so what guidance will CMS provide regarding reliability?”
CMS Extends Deadlines for HCBS Settings Rule
On July 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance for states with respect to the home and community-based services (HCBS) Settings Rule. Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS is extending key deadlines for compliance with the Settings Rule. While these are applied to state agencies, many LeadingAge members will be ultimately subject to the Settings Rule and should note these updates. Learn more.
STATE UPDATES
Statewide COVID-19 Testing Strategy and KDADS’ Adult Care Home Testing Plan Requirements – What You need to Know
Join with your Kansas Adult Care Home colleagues on July 20th, 10 – 11 a.m. for a free webinar to learn about the Statewide COVID-19 Testing Strategy and KDADS’ requirement for adult care homes testing plans. There will be time for Q&A. (Note: A limited number of connections are available. Register soon.)
Presenters:
- Dr. Farah Ahmed, State Epidemiologist, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
- Scott Brunner, Deputy Secretary, Kansas Department for Aging and Disabilities Services
Register today to be part of this call.
LEADINGAGE KANSAS UPDATES
Don’t Miss Our Friday Update Webinars
It’s the latest information on what is happening regarding COVID-19. Webinars are free for members and held every Friday at 10 AM. If you haven’t already,register for this week’s webinar.
Thank You for All of Your Hard Work During This Extraordinary Time
We know you and your team are working so hard and with so much heart and skill during this time. You should have received a set of posters from us recently that we hope you can post to convey our thanks to your staff. If you have not received your poster set, or would like extra copies, please contact Nicole nicole@leadingagekansas.org.
LEADINGAGE UPDATE
- LeadingAge would like to hear about your experience if you are using basic care aides. Drop Ruth rkatz@leadingage.org a note.
- LeadingAge Provider Relief Explainer Document Updated
- LeadingAge Need to Know for 7-15-2020.
- Coronavirus Daily Update Webinar for 7-14-2020.
- View the latest info, news, and tools from LeadingAge.
