The COVID-19 pandemic requires LTC communities and hospitals to face many common challenges. One of the most critical of those relate to transfers and discharges between these two health care settings. We appreciate the hard work of LTC communities, hospitals, ISDH and all stakeholders in state government as we move towards a general consensus approach on those issues. We anticipate a resolution in the near future. LeadingAge Indiana is consistently amazed at, and applauds your dedication and commitment to your residents and staff. Please stay safe and healthy.
LeadingAge National Updates
From National LeadingAge and Member Associations across the country:  

Other Critical Coronavirus News and Resources
Last night, CMS put out a package of significant regulatory changes to help the U.S. health care system address the COVID-19 patient surge. The release reflects a huge advocacy win for LeadingAge and VNAA/ElevatingHOME members. Summaries are below and additional materials will follow.

CMS also announced last night that it is suspending routine audit activity for PACE organizations .

New Insights and Tools From LeadingAge

From LeadingAge Centers
The LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston is sharing research studies and research-based articles focusing on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting older adults and the people who care for them. Check out our brief summaries of the latest data and analysis , including these recently posted articles:
Federal Government Updates
TODAY - CMS Nursing Home Stakeholder Tuesday, March 31 at NOON (EST)
It is recommended you join early, CMS is reporting more people calling in than ever before and they run out of lines.  
 
Please see dial-in details below. Conference lines are limited, so we highly encourage you to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser. You are welcome to share this invitation with your colleagues and membership.
 
Participant Dial In: 877-251-0301
Conference ID: 7786289

TODAY - CMS Home Health Stakeholder Tuesday, March 31 at 3:00PM (EST)
It is recommended you join early, CMS is reporting more people calling in than ever before and they run out of lines. Here, cut and pasted from CMS:
 
Conference lines are limited, so we highly encourage you to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser. You are welcome to share this invitation with your colleagues and membership: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=ea154c9d-b64155e1-ea157da2-0cc47adc5fa2-fc16b499326a8886&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=1759
Participant Dial In: 877-251-0301
Conference ID: 5889768
 
CMS Current Emergencies website .  If you haven’t used this the CMS Current Emergencies website has everything they’ve released for the coronavirus emergency; it’s all dated so you can tell what’s new. 
 
SBA loans streamlined.   The CARES Act (3 rd stimulus) includes $350 billion for loans to small businesses, with opportunities for loan recipients to receive forgiveness and not have to repay the amount borrowed. There are two key programs, the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster loans.  See attached summary
ISDH Updates
On March 30, 2020, Governor Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-13 today, which can be found in full here . Relevant provisions are outlined below.

  • In the event the ISDH Commissioner determines patient capacity at any or all of Indiana’s hospitals exceeds what is available or needed, the ISDH Commissioner can direct the opening, staffing, equipping, and use of a temporary facility for patient care.  
 
  • The Executive Order allows individuals who seek to provide health care in Indiana in response to this public health emergency who are not currently licensed to practice in the state, either because their Indiana license is no longer active, they are currently a student, or they are licensed by another state, to obtain temporary authorization to provide health care services. The Executive Order contains specific details for the following categories of individuals:
Retired Health Care Professionals  
Medical Students 
Medical Residents
Physician Assistant Students
Nursing Students
Respiratory Care Practitioner Students  
Out-of-State Health Care Professionals
  • The Executive Order allows that professionals who do not currently hold an active license to practice in Indiana and are granted a temporary license to provide health care services in response to this public health emergency, must register with the PLA via www.in.gov/pla. These individuals include Indiana professionals who retired or became inactive within the past 5 years and are temporarily reinstated; graduating students of physician assistance programs, nursing programs, or respiratory care programs who obtain a temporary license under this EO; out-of-state professionals who are currently licensed by another state and work in Indiana during this emergency; and out-of-state professionals who retired or became inactive within the past 5 years and work in Indiana during this emergency.
 
  • The Executive Order provides some guidance regarding conservation efforts surrounding PPE; and

  • The Executive Order addresses telemedicine initiatives as related to COVID-19.
Total positive cases: 2159
Total deaths: 49
Total tested: 13,373
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