LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS
Thanks for Joining Us Today for Our Weekly Webinar
Here is the recording to the meeting which included our annual business meeting. Here are the handouts.
If you haven’t already, register for upcoming Friday webinars through the end of the year.
Have a topic recommendation or an idea for a poll? Let us know.
FEDERAL NEWS
Provider Relief Updates Galore:
- HHS Eliminates Prior Limits on Lost Revenues Established in Sept. Reporting Requirements: The long anticipated and hoped for revisions to the September 19 PRF Reporting Requirements arrived today and came with an explanation that the revisions were a direct result of pressure from stakeholders and Congress with the conclusion, “There is consensus among stakeholders and Members of Congress who have reached out to HHS that the PRF should allow a provider to apply PRF payments against all lost revenues without limitation.” The result is that providers will no longer report on operating income changes year over year but actual change in patient care revenues from 2019 to 2020. In addition, the revised document eliminates the prior limits on the use of PRF dollars to cover lost revenues. This is an advocacy victory as LeadingAge national raised concerns about these provisions with HHS on numerous occasions. We anticipate the HHS FAQs to be updated in the next couple of days to reflect these changes. Here is an article with a few more details from LeadingAge.
- Eligible Providers for Phase 3 Application Expanded: HHS also announced that the Phase 3 application is now open to residential treatment centers, chiropractors and eye/vision providers. They also confirmed the following providers are eligible even if private pay: nursing service and related providers, hospice providers; respiratory, developmental, rehabilitative and restorative service providers, nursing and custodial care facilities, among other providers. The website and FAQs have not been fully updated to reflect these changes yet.
- HHS Announces another webinar on Phase 3 Application: HHS will be hosting another live webinar on the Phase 3 application process on. Nov. 2 at 2PM Central Time.
- Phase 2 Funds continue to go out: $90 million in PRF funds went out to 661 AL providers on Monday. This was the third wave of disbursements from the Phase 2 General Distribution process.
Details Announced on $2B in Nursing Home Infection Control Incentive Payments
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shared the final details (scroll down to “Allocation for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Nursing Home”) of how they will distribute $2 billion in Provider Relief Fund-related Nursing Home Infection Control Incentive Payments, which will reward nursing homes monthly for their ability to contain the coronavirus infection and mortality rate within their nursing homes. Learn more.
CDC/HHS/Walgreens/CVS Partnership to provide vaccines to NHS and ALs
NHs indicate interest on NHSN. Other state licensed only like AL report on RedCap site.
Study: Cases, Isolation, Financial Strain in Affordable Senior Housing
A national survey of senior housing providers finds COVID-19 cases in majority of communities, and that financial strain and resident social isolation are key concerns. Learn more.
STATE
KDADS New Visitation Policy
KDADS released their new Visitation Policy on their website. You may have received an email from KDADS this morning regarding the policy. This is the updated policy.
Need to Establish a Designated COVID-19 Unit or Change Number of Beds Licensed?
As more members experience outbreaks, the need for designated units and/or temporarily changing the number of licensed beds may come up. Here is the form you will need to complete and return to georgianna.correll@ks.gov.
TESTING Q & A
Q1. We have a staff member who tested positive, so we are going to test all of our residents. I asked our local county health department if we could use our antigen testing or if we had to do PCR testing and she wasn’t clear on that. Do you know the answer?
A. (From KDADS) They could use their antigen machine or test kits for residents. If any come up positive, they’d have to be confirmed with a PCR. I’d ask the local health department if they want to step in early and do an outbreak testing process.
Q2. Are we required to report follow up PCR tests results to the state portal?
A. No, the testing lab is required to do the reporting to the state portal. However, for KDADS regulatory compliance documentation, you will need to have documentation from the lab about the PCR test result.
Q3. Can we antigen test people other than residents and staff under our CLIA waiver?
A. Yes. Anne McKean, KDHE Lab Specialist, confirmed the following as examples:
- Individuals on premises to complete work required by a local, state or federal agency
- Vendor who is in the building perform necessary services. (Examples might be fire sprinkler services, beautician services.)
- Volunteers that are on premises to interact with residents
- Visitors for residents when they present to visit
Scott Brunner has confirmed that this complies from a KDADS regulatory perspective. Send CLIA questions to kdhe.clia2@ks.gov
Important Agency Webinars Next Week
- Tues. Oct. 27, 11 AM – Visitation Policy and Q&A w/KDADS
- Thurs. Oct. 29, 11 AM – Testing Presentation and Q&A w/KDHE & KDADS
Send questions to debra@leadingagekansas.org ahead of time and they will be shared with the Agencies.
KDADS New Visitation Policy
KDADS released their new Visitation Policy on their website. You may have received an email from KDADS this morning regarding the policy which was dated June 2020. This is the updated policy for October 2020.
LEADINGAGE NEWS
- LeadingAge Need to Know for 10-23-2020
- Online Coronavirus Policy Update for 10-21-2020
- View the Latest Info, News, and Tools from LeadingAge
