FEDERAL NEWS
- NHSN Training on New Requirement for Antigen Testing Reporting is FULL: We will keep you posted on when/where/if archived webinar will be available.
- HHS Provides Answers to LeadingAge on Vaccine Initiative
- Housing Providers Urged to Complete Pharmacy Partnership Form by Nov. 6 Deadline
- Bill to Allow Home Health Telehealth Reimbursement Introduced
Vaccination Planning Update
Senior living and other long-term care providers now have until Nov. 6th to sign up for the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. Senior living settings (assisted and independent) who wish to be considered for the CVS/Walgreen’s partnership should complete this form. Skilled nursing and other types of long-term care facilities certified by CMS that report data through the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) should log in to NHSN and use the link to the program under “alerts.” When a vaccine is available it is anticipated that the supply will, initially, be limited. Currently, the manufacturers are producing and stockpiling vaccine doses. After vaccines are approved, production will continue and ramp up daily. CDC has every reason to expect that within a few months there will be a sufficient supply for adults.
Distribution Update on HHS BinaxNOW Test Cards
On the CMS nursing home stakeholder call this week, HHS officials have shared that Abbott BinaxNOW test cards are being distributed to nursing homes in red and yellow positivity counties in quantities meant to enable them to complete routine testing of all staff (twice per week, once per week). Positivity rates are re-evaluated bi-weekly. The distribution of the Quidel and BD point-of-care testing devices is nearly complete (one more week). Questions have been received about eligibility of providers who did not have CLIA waivers when this initiative began but have since applied. HHS indicated that providers who were unable to obtain a CLIA certificate/waiver prior to September 30 “are welcome to purchase these devices from the manufacturer.” So unfortunately, if a provider was not able to secure a waiver prior to September 30, they are not included in these allocations.
Phase 3 Applications Are Low; Due November 6th
HHS shared with LeadingAge national recently that a small fraction of the potential 1 million providers have applied for Phase 3 funding. This funding is opened up to any provider of health care services, and supports, including Medicare, Medicaid and private pay. The payments first ensure that providers get their 2% and then any remaining funds will be distributed as add-on payments (over and above the 2%) to providers who demonstrate more need for funds to cover coronavirus expenses and lost revenues. If fewer providers apply, the pot of funds for add-on could be a significant portion of the $20B set aside for this Phase. HHS Provider Relief webpage. Reach out to nfallon@leadingage.org with questions. Also, Bob Dick and Kailey Riskowski are available to answer provider relief questions under a contract with LeadingAge Kansas members.
HHS Releases New COVID Interim Final Rule
A new Interim Final Rule with Comment Period (IFC) has been issued. Read the fact sheet and news release.
- Vaccine Related Provisions: implements provisions of the CARES Act related to coverage and payment for an eventual COVID-19 vaccine, provisions related to Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance to ensure vaccine coverage without cost-sharing throughout the public health emergency (PHE).
- Updated policy for maintaining Medicaid enrollment during the COVID-19 PHE: puts forth how CMS is interpreting the provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) related to the increased FMAP and maintenance of Medicaid enrollment during the PHE.
- Enhanced Medicare Payments for new COVID-19 treatments.
- Price transparency for COVID-19 diagnostic tests.
- Extension of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model for 6 months so that the model will end on September 30, 2021.
First Round of LTC Infection Control Payments Coming Monday
HHS announced that they will be distributing $333 million in first-round infection control performance payments from the provider relief funds to more than 10,000 nursing homes across the country based on their results battling the spread of COVID-19. The funds will be distributed on Monday, November 2, authorities said. The rewards are being given to 10,631 nursing homes who met the performance standards for September, which is more than 77% of the 13,795 eligible. To be eligible for an Infection Control Incentive Payment, providers must have first met two “gateway” criteria:
- The nursing home’s infection rate must be lower than that of the infection rate in their county; and
- The nursing home’s mortality rate must be less than 10% for all residents in their facility that contracted COVID-19 (includes both in-facility acquired infections as well as COVID admissions).
The incentive payments are based off performance for August 31st – September 27th and will be awarded in a range of amounts depending on performance. Terms & Conditions for use of these funds. See bottom of page 1 and page 2 for acceptable uses of funds. HHS also confirmed that they can be used for retaining staff not just hiring new.
NOTE: All Medicare and Medicaid nursing homes with 6 or more beds are considered for the incentive payments, as long as there is sufficient NHSN COVID data reported.
STATE NEWS
KDADS Visitation Webinar Recording Available
There was a record number of people trying to join the Visitation Webinar with KDHE and KDADS yesterday. Here is the link to listen to the webinar and here are the presentation materials.
KDHE/KDADS Testing Webinar now available.
Webinar slides are available viewing here and here.
Kansas HCBS Provider Retainer Payments
KDADS has approved retainer payments to qualified HCBS providers. A list of pre-qualified providers (called “Providers eligible to apply”), and other documentation, are posted on the KDADS website at the link here. Providers on the list must submit the appropriate attestation forms and are subject to a review process for final approval to receive retainer payment. The deadline to apply is November 30, 2020. For more details and instructions on how to complete the application, see the KMAP Bulletin on HCBS Provider Retainer Payment. Questions? Contact Amy Penrod.
Keep Updated on the Latest in Testing from KDHE
Take a look at KDHE’s COVID-19 update.
LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS
Recording for Weekly Call
Did you miss our call today? No worries, here is the link to listen in and here are the presentation materials. On today’s call we discussed the federal nursing home infection control incentive payment, the vaccination initiative, the visitation and staffing webinars that happened this week, more testing questions.
Have a topic recommendation or an idea for a poll? Let us know.
LEADINGAGE NEWS
- LeadingAge Need to Know for 10-30-2020
- Online Coronavirus Policy Update for 10-28-2020
- View the Latest Info, News, and Tools from LeadingAge
RESOURCES
KSNA a Great Place to Post Job Openings
The Kansas State Nurses Association will let their members know of openings for temporary nurse staffing (probably on social media.) Please send your “ad” to ksommers@ksna.org. Tip: Include a brief explainer about policy to provide/require PPE and infection control requirement adherence at your place and if you have had a great infection control survey by KDADS.
Other Resources
