Coronavirus Update #122
New Guidance from MDH: Relaxation of Restrictions in Nursing Homes, Managing Admissions & Readmissions, and Outdoor Visits in Assisted Living; Reminder on Testing Compliance; Reminder on MDH Updated Contact List; AHCA Updates
MDH Guidance on Re-Opening

During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, various restrictions have been put into place by Maryland nursing homes to limit the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in these settings.   
 
This document outlines the requirements that must be met by Maryland nursing homes to begin relaxing restrictions (sometimes referred to as “reopening”) that have been put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document also outlines three progressive phases of relaxation with details about specific restrictions that can be relaxed during each phase and requirements that must be met before moving to the next phase. In addition, this guidance addresses outdoor visitation in nursing homes.

The Maryland Department of Health is holding a webinar tomorrow (June 19) at 2:00 PM
to further discuss this guidance. Details are as follows:

JOIN WEBEX MEETING
Meeting number (access code): 161 537 5089

Meeting password: hQSz37uEEB7

JOIN BY PHONE
+1-415-655-0001 US Toll
FAQ on Managing Admissions and Readmissions for Maryland Nursing Homes

Today, the Maryland Department of Health released this new FAQ on Managing Admissions and Readmissions for Maryland Nursing Homes.

This document is intended to assist nursing homes and local health departments with the interpretation of the requirements for managing new admissions and readmissions for Maryland Nursing Homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depending on the level of care and services provided in an assisted living facility, this document could also assist assisted living facilities with the management of newly admitted and readmitted residents.
Guidance on Outdoor Visits in Assisted Living

The Maryland Department of Health recently released guidance regarding outdoor visitation in assisted living facilities. Click here to see the AL Guidance.

Please note that a separate document to guide the relaxing of restrictions in Maryland Assisted Living Facilities is forthcoming. We will share the guidance once it becomes available.
Reminder: Universal Testing Compliance

ACTION REQUIRED ASAP: This  memorandum from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) was issued regarding mandatory COVID-19 Testing Compliance. A Compliance Analyst will be contacting administrators and providing testing results based on queries of the rosters provided by each facility. Additionally, the Compliance Analyst will provide a properly formatted copy of the combined staff and resident rosters your facility provided to MDH. 

Using the testing results provided by the State and any testing results provided to your facility directly from any laboratory, please update your rosters (excel spreadsheet) to produce one roster that includes the most recent test result for each individual on your combined staff and resident roster. 

Once created please use   MDH secure upload  to return your completed rosters and complete the mitigating action questionnaire and attestation.  This is required to be completed by 6pm on   Friday June 19, 2020  to avoid potential penalty. Your Compliance Analyst will be your primary point of contact regarding this notice and you will be contacted soon with additional information. 
Reminder: MDH Updated LTC Contact List

Maryland Department of Health's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Outbreak Response Bureau wants to continue supporting you in your efforts to reduce COVID-19 and other infectious agents. In order to do this effectively, they need the most updated contact information for your facility.  
 
Please take a look at this spreadsheet and respond to Brittany Grace if any changes need to be made for your facility.  Specifically, they need names, emails, phone numbers, and job titles for each member of your infection prevention and control team as well as any other staff at your facility interested in receiving Maryland state-wide communication for the infection prevention community.
Reminder: Qualitrac 3.0 Memo

Please see this updated Qualitrac 3.0 Memo from MDH. On August 1, 2020, the Maryland Department of Health’s (MDH) Utilization Control Agent, Telligen, will be releasing an update to their web-based provider portal, Qualitrac. Current Qualitrac users will be required to reset their passwords when they first login to Qualitrac 3.0 on or after this date. Usernames will remain the same.
HHS Offers Medicaid Allocation Application Tutorials 

The HHS Provider Relief Fund Medicaid Application Process while a positive step also has come with a number of questions. Unlike Tranches 1-3, the Medicaid Allocation requires an application requiring an array of data. Today, HHS announced two Medicaid Allocation Application online tutorials. The date options are below and please note: you must pre-register. Click the links below to register:


Other COVID-19 Updates

NHSN Reporting Citations and CMPs Rescinded:  Some members have begun to receive notices in CASPER rescinding the F884 citation and Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) they were given for allegedly not reporting complete information to NHSN about COVID-19 in the standardized format and frequency specified by CMS and CDC. Read More

AHCA/NCAL Webinar on Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries with Representative Payees:  AHCA/NCAL recently put together a webinar recording on economic impact payments (EIPs) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and important facts for skilled nursing facilities, ICFs/IID, and assisted living communities to know on the use of them. IRS began issuing electronic EIPs on or about April 15 to people who received a tax refund electronically.  Read More

Outlook for Three-Day Hospital Waiver:  In the past months, CMS has issued an array of national, “blanket” waivers to reduce administrative burden, improve access to care, and expedite provider payment in both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Read More
Did you miss HFAM's previous alerts?

Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
Thank you.

We cannot thank you enough for the dedication and diligence in doing all that you can for the residents in your communities. HFAM continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic with our state and national partners and will do all we can to support you during this time.