STATE UPDATE

KDADS/KDHE March 26th Webinar Recording Available
The recording and slides are now available from the Friday, March 26th joint webinar that many of us were unable to log into regarding testing, visitation and vaccine information. You can access any of the past webinars and other important COVID-19 information on the KDADS website.

FEDERAL UPDATE

FEMA Funeral Reimbursement Program beginning April 12, 2021
FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide and will begin collecting applications on April 12th via their call center – no online applications will be accepted. For more information, please see our article on the program.

Recall of Victory Electrostatic Sprayer
There have been incidents of injuries and fires from the lithium-ion-battery pack in the Victory Electrostatic Sprayer. The U.S. Consumer Product Commission has a recall page on this product type. More information at   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/victory-innovations-recalls-electrostatic-sprayers-with-lithium-ion-battery-packs-due

CDC Travel Guidance REVISED
CDC has revised guidance on travel to state that fully-vaccinated individuals can now travel safely within the US and CDC does not recommend quarantine or testing upon return. CDC notes that individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days are also not recommended to quarantine following travel. So, what does this mean for long-term care staff and residents?

  • Staff: Staff are permitted to follow the CDC guidance for travel, meaning they are not required to quarantine and would not be restricted from work upon return from travel.
  • Residents: CDC travel guidance does not indicate long-term care residents must quarantine after travel, and infection prevention and control recommendations state that fully-vaccinated residents who are out of the long-term care setting longer than 24 hours are not recommended to quarantine upon return. On both accounts, residents would not need to quarantine upon return.

There are a few exceptions, of course. First, staff and residents must continue to follow state guidance. If your state requires quarantine or testing after travel, you must quarantine or test after travel. Secondly, if anyone develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19, they should quarantine and be evaluated, regardless of vaccination status. And lastly, note that this guidance applies only to fully vaccinated individuals. Individuals who are not “fully vaccinated” (at least 2 weeks have passed since the final dose in either a 2-dose or 1-dose vaccine series) must continue to quarantine after travel. And EVERYONE should continue to follow CDC recommendations to wear a mask, avoid crowds, maintain social distancing, and practice hand hygiene.

Launching the COVID-19 Community Corps
HHS is launching a nationwide, grassroots network of local voices people know and trust to encourage Americans to get vaccinated, with more than 275 founding member organizations that have the ability to reach millions of Americans. The Community Corps will be comprised of trusted voices in communities across the country, and the Administration will regularly share updated public health information and resources for them to use with their communities to help get friends, family, and followers vaccinated. Join the COVID-19 Community Corps here.

Airing TV Ads to Encourage Vaccinations Among Key Eligible Groups
HHS is beginning to air both English and Spanish language TV ads across the country to encourage vaccination among key groups currently eligible to receive vaccinations, including Americans age 65 and older. In addition to general market broadcast and cable advertising, HHS has also made multi-million-dollar ad buys in Black and Spanish-language media, as well as in outlets that reach AAPI and Tribal populations, to add an additional layer of outreach and messaging to hard-hit communities. The ads begin airing today, will run throughout the month of April, and will also run on digital outlets.

New HUD Q&A Discusses Vaccine Access, Property Expenses at MF Communities
In its first update since the new administration, HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing released an updated COVID-19 Q&A on April 2nd. The updated question and answer document discusses testing and vaccine clinics at HUD-assisted communities, as well as use of operating funds for preparedness activities on site. The Q&As also cover allowable medical expenses for residents, treatment in income calculations of the latest round of stimulus checks, tenant income recertifications, and electronic file transmission. LeadingAge welcomes HUD’s updates to the Q&A as an effort to provide further support and flexibility for housing providers and HUD-assisted residents during COVID-19. More info here.

LEADINGAGE KANSAS UPDATE

Check Out the Recording for Our Weekly Webinar Update
Here is a link to the recording and here is a link to the handouts. Dr. Scott Latimer of the Sunflower Health Plan provided answers to a couple of questions that were left unanswered during his presentation.

  • Delay of mammography after Covid-19 immunization. It is recommended to wait 4-6 weeks after completing Covid-19 vaccination to have a mammogram. This is because the immune response to the vaccine can cause lymph nodes to become enlarged temporarily, which could lead to a “false-positive” mammogram result. The lymph node enlargement is temporary and is generally gone by 6 weeks after the vaccine is administered.
  • Administration cost for Covid-19 vaccination. Some people with private insurance may be charged a vaccine administration fee by private insurance – generally preventive care for things like vaccine administration should be covered without member cost-share according to the Accountable Care Act (ACA). If a fee for vaccine administration is charged, you should call your health plan customer service line to determine if you are liable for the charge.

Join us this week where we talk about all things COVID 19 and get a personalized Legislative Update from Rachel.

Do you have topics or requests that you would like us to cover? Let Nicole Schings know and she will set it up.

Register here for upcoming webinars.

LEADINGAGE UPDATE

New Insights and Tools from LeadingAge
LeadingAge staff experts are developing essential advocacy, guidance, and tools, and curating the most relevant resources for aging services providers on COVID-19 and beyond, including:​​​​​

A complete timeline of insights, tools, and useful COVID-19 links is available here, so you’ll never miss an update.

THANKS TO OUR PLATINUM PARTNER

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Nicole Schings
Nicole Schings is the Director of Member Services and Business Development. Nicole joined the association in 2018, and oversees our Member Services program, our Partnership and Associate Member relationships, and our online education system. A graduate of Washburn University, Nicole uses her 22 years of experience in the association world to enhance the support of our members, problem solve their issues and bring new partners into the LeadingAge Kansas family. Outside of work, Nicole is passionate about geocaching and moments spent with her dog, Blu. You can reach Nicole directly at 785.670.8048.

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