STATE NEWS
KDHE Weekly COVID-19 Update Recording Available
The slides and Q&A for the 9-23-21 COVID-19 Update for Local Partners webinar are available. You can access the recording of the webinar here.
The next COVID-19 Update for Local Partners will take place Thursday, September 30th at 10 AM CT. You can register for the webinar here. Password: KDHECOVID
FEDERAL NEWS
PRF – Webinar Registration Details and New Reporting Resources Released
HRSA has updated its PRF website with new details on how providers can register for their upcoming webinars on the application process for Phase 4 general distribution and the targeted ARP Rural PRF distributions. HRSA has indicated they have made changes to the application process so all members are encouraged to register for one of the available webinars. In addition, HRSA published some additional fact sheets on a number of items to assist providers as they work toward submitting their first PRF report on Sept. 30th. Members should remember that, if needed, they can take advantage of the 60-day grace period for submitting the first report. LeadingAge National has summarized these updates in an article
Webinar on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Join the Administration for Community Living, in partnership with multiple other federal agencies on Sept. 30 at 10 AM Central for a webinar on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Learn about tools and information you need to help those you serve (or employ.) Register here.
SNF PDPM Calculator for FY 2021
Thank you to LeadingAge Wisconsin for updating the PDPM calculator to reflect the PDPM rates effective 10/1/2021. These tools can be used by members to:
- Calculate the component rates that must be entered into the billing software.
- Calculate a budget for a given time period based on patient days and length of stay for each of the PDPM case-mix classifications.
- Estimate the revenue from a particular stay for a potential admission. This function is also useful in evaluating if the billing software rates were picked up correctly.
- Run “what-if” scenarios on revenue changes to patients cared for in rehab units.
Please reach out to Janine (JFinck-Boyle@leadingage.org) with any questions.
HHS Update to Monoclonal Antibody Distribution
Starting Monday, September 27th, HHS will announce state and territory distributions of Monoclonal Antibodies (mAb) every Monday instead of every Tuesday. With earlier notification of distribution amounts, HHS encourages health departments to make allocations for their jurisdictions earlier in the week as well. The earlier allocations are made and confirmed by health departments, the earlier shipping can begin and the faster sites will receive product. HHS transitioned to the current state/territory-coordinated distribution system for mAbs on September 13th. Under this system, HHS determines the distribution amounts for each state and territory. Subsequently, state and territorial health departments identify receiving administration sites in their jurisdictions and how much product is allocated to identified sites.
VACCINATION NEWS
CDC Recommendations for Booster Shots
It’s been a wild ride over the past 48 hours in the world of booster shots. As of Friday, September 24th, CDC recommends and the FDA has approved a booster shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as follows:
- people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
- people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine atleast 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
- people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
- people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
Read the CDC statement here. Additionally, check out this FAQ document provided by the CDC. We note that at this time, only the Pfizer vaccine has received FDA approval for a booster dose. CDC continues not to recommend mixing of COVID-19 vaccines, as discussed in this guidance. This means that only individuals who completed an initial vaccine series with Pfizer should consider a booster if eligible as outlined above. Individuals who completed an initial vaccine series with Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or another vaccine are not recommended to receive a booster dose at this time. Members who are organizing vaccine clinics should take caution to identify primary vaccine series for residents and staff when considering additional doses for immunocompromised individuals or booster doses for those recommended as above.
CMS Will Cover Cost of Boosters for Eligible Consumers
CMS will continue to cover COVID-19 immunizations, including boosters, for eligible consumers, with no cost sharing, according to a press release from the agency today. Those with Medicare pay nothing for the vaccine or its administration, and there is no applicable copayment, coinsurance or deductible. Nearly all Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries will also not have any cost sharing obligations.
LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS
Weekly Webinar Registration
Join us each week to hear the latest on COVID and other important information for your organization. Register here.
LEADINGAGE NATIONAL NEWS
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, including:
- Nursing Home Weekly Recap
- Life Plan Community Weekly Recap
- Home Health and Hospice Weekly Recap
- PACE Weekly Recap
- Senior Housing Weekly Recap
- Drive for 75: Week 29 Resources
- New PRF Reporting Resources and Phase 4 ARP Rural Application Webinar Details
RESOURCES
Addressing Vaccine Mandates and Exemption Requests
In this Virtual Update, Lane Powell addresses key legal and operational issues related to mandatory vaccination policies, including medical and religious exemption requests.
