STATE NEWS
KDHE is Conducting Case Investigation in 68 Counties
Here is the list of counties that have requested KDHE assistance with case investigation for COVID-19. For LTCFs in those counties experiencing a case of COVID-19 or an outbreak, the Local Health Department will refer the outbreak investigation to KDHE.
HCBS Workforce Incentive Closes April 29th
A reminder that applications close on April 29th for the HCBS Workforce Incentive Program, which is a grant through KDADS to provide one-time bonuses to direct support workers serving clients on any HCBS waiver. We have clarified with KDADS that if a worker is caring for someone on waivers services for less than 20 hours per week they qualify for a part-time bonus, more than 20 hours a week and they qualify for full-time bonus. Here is the website with further details and documents.
FEDERAL NEWS
HRSA Adds a 5th Reporting Period for Phase 4 dollars and Other Key Dates
A question members have often asked is when they will report on the Phase 4 funds they are receiving now. HRSA recently answered this by adding a 5th reporting period which will run from July 1 – September 30, 2023. Here is an article that discusses this new reporting period and other key PRF dates of which providers should be aware.
Public Health Emergency (PHE) Extension
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Tuesday renewed the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) for another three months. The PHE was initially declared in January 2020 and has been subsequently renewed each quarter. Although the PHE was due to expire on April 16, HHS announced the renewal for an additional 90 days and said that it will give states at least 60-days’ notice prior to its termination. The renewal will result in a continued expansion of telehealth services, state support, and Medicaid coverage protections through mid-July. The 3-day stay waiver remains in effect though CMS has the authority to end it early along with most other waivers if they so choose.
TESTING NEWS
Testing REMINDER
KDHE’s contract with regional labs for routine (non-outbreak) PCR testing ends May 15th. From there, you can either rely on antigen testing or you go back to billing insurance. There’s also the option of using Battelle.
First COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Using Breath Samples
The FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first COVID-19 diagnostic test that detects chemical compounds in breath samples associated with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The test can be performed in environments where the patient specimen is both collected and analyzed, such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, and mobile testing sites, using an instrument about the size of a piece of carry-on luggage. The test is performed by a qualified, trained operator under the supervision of a health care provider licensed or authorized by state law to prescribe tests and can provide results in less than three minutes.
VACCINE NEWS
Facility Specific Vaccination Rates for Residents and Staff
Here are the vaccination rates for residents and staff for the week ending April 3rd.
Virtual Summit on COVID-19 Vaccination
The White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services invite you to attend “We Can Do This Summit: Conversations on Encouraging COVID-19 Vaccinations” scheduled for Friday, April 22, 2022 at 11 AM, CT. The Summit will feature conversations among leading doctors, medical professionals, parents, and community leaders about COVID vaccines and how the broader medical community can encourage vaccination among pregnant people, children, teens, and young adults. You can watch the summit live here.
LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS
Weekly Webinar Returns This Friday at 10 AM
Get the latest on COVID, CMS, the Legislature and more each Friday at 10 AM. If you haven’t registered for future calls, you can do so here.
Programming Note: On May 6, 2022, LeadingAge National will host their annual Town Hall with Kansas Members during our call. This is your opportunity to provide input and influence policy priorities at the LeadingAge National level.
LEADINGAGE NATIONAL NEWS
LeadingAge Coronavirus Call this Wednesday @ 2:30 PM CT
How are you pivoting to the “next normal?” How are you finding and engaging new caregiving staff? Hear how one provider answers these and other questions on the Wednesday, April 20 LeadingAge Coronavirus Update, Join us as we talk with LeadingAge member Cheryl Harding, President and CEO of the James L. West Dementia Center in Texas. She will share her organization’s pivots during this (hopefully) last phase of COVID and how the Center is working with local high schools to educate students about the Center and the career opportunities that exist. If you haven’t registered for LeadingAge Update Calls, you can do so here. You can also find previous call recordings here. Note that to access recordings of the calls you need a LeadingAge password. Any staff member of any LeadingAge member organization can set up a password to access previous calls and other “members only” content.
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