Coronavirus Update #50
HFAM Update, HHS Releases Funds, MDH Recorded Call
Friends:

The steps you have taken are making a difference. You worked actively to slow the entry of COVID-19 into your centers and campuses. As all Marylanders fight to stop the spread of the virus, you and your teams are diligently doing that in our skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers and on assisted living campuses. Now is the time to double your diligence and focus to provide quality care to Marylanders in need, many of whom are at an increased risk with COVID-19 because of their clinical comorbidities. You and your teams are truly saving lives. Now is also the time to work as closely as possible with your acute care hospital partners as we are days away from the peak of the COVID-19 surge in Maryland.

Behind the scenes, the work that we did and continue to do with the Maryland Hospital Association and individual hospitals is reaping benefits that will help save lives. Our call for state leaders to revisit admissions bans has been effective. In addition, our collaboration with LeadingAge Maryland and LifeSpan is genuinely valued and making a difference. Yesterday, the three associations together secured flexibility for CNA/GNA training from the Maryland Board of Nursing. We will share more information on this soon - be on the lookout for another update.

We are in touch with colleagues across the nation through AHCA/NCAL and directly with AHCA/NCAL leaders —this truly is a time where national membership has it’s privileges.

Finally, we are seeing data that all of Governor Hogan's orders, especially around social distancing and staying home, are making a difference in the projections.  That said, now is NOT the time to stop our efforts. Now more than ever before SNFs and ALs MUST operate with observation and isolation areas and operate DRIVEN by your infectious disease protocol.

These reminders are obvious, but so very important:

  • Love, support, and over communicate with your care teams.
  • Over communicate with families, residents, patients and staff.
  • Operate DRIVEN by your infectious disease protocol.
  • Execute your observation and isolation beds.
  • Work closely with your acute-care hospital partners and home health partners.
  • Stay in contact with local health offices and the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ).

For our Christian colleagues: we wish you a powerful, solemn, and reflective Good Friday; We pray that the redemptive eternal grace of Easter brings you celebration, joy, and peace.

Be well,
Joseph DeMattos
President and CEO, HFAM
HHS Releases a Portion of the $100 Billion COVID-19 Health Care Fund 

Thanks to the leadership and advocacy of our partners at AHCA/NCAL, we are pleased to report that HHS has announced the distribution of the first $30 billion of the $100 billion stimulus fund. A brief description of their process can be found here . Highlights are the following: 

  1. SNFs are included. Reporting that this was solely for the hospitals was incorrect. 
  2. All Medicare providers will receive payments based on their 2019 Part A and Part B billings. 
  3. We will provide more detailed information in a few days, but a quick back of the envelope analysis indicates that providers will receive roughly 6.2% of their 2019 billings. 
  4. HHS intends to get the money to you directly. It may hit your accounts as early as today, with the goal being no later than next week. 
  5. This is a grant; it is not a loan. 
  6. This is in addition to the Accelerated Payment Program. You can participate in both. 
  7. We are told that the next distribution will be $50 billion, and it will be more focused on skilled nursing facilities and more tilted toward Medicaid providers and buildings that have been hit by COVID-19. HHS’s goal is to get that money out in 10 days. Of course, that could be delayed. 

We know this payment is not enough to cover all your losses. We hope it is a part of a number of wins that, collectively, will make a difference.   Again, thank you to the leadership and entire team at AHCA/NCAL for their hard work in this accomplishment.
HFAM Survey Reminder - LAST CALL

Here in Maryland over the next couple of weeks, cases hospitalizations, people in hospital ICU’s, and deaths will increase dramatically. To prepare and be proactive as a sector, completion of this survey is critical. If you haven't already, please complete this survey as soon as possible - it will be closing TODAY.
MDH Recorded Webinar for LTC

Yesterday, the Maryland Department of Health held a webinar call to update the long-term care sector on COVID-19 developments and best practices. The call was recorded, in case you were unable to join or would like to review the topics discussed.


You can also view the webinar's  PowerPoint presentation here.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] . 
CMS Waiver Summary

Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily suspended a number of rules so that hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities can boost their frontline medical staffs as they fight to save lives during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

These changes affect doctors, nurses, and other clinicians nationwide, and focus on reducing supervision and certification requirements so that practitioners can be hired quickly and perform work to the fullest extent of their licenses. The new waivers sharply expand the workforce flexibilities CMS announced on March 30.

For a fact sheet detailing additional information on the waivers announced today and previously, please click HERE .
Reminder: Maryland Department of Health Updates

The Maryland Department of Health shared this afternoon two important notices:



As a reminder, MDH has also developed a Hospital Discharge Assist program. Hospital discharge planners should complete this form to request an OHCQ review of a difficult placement of a patient back to their nursing home of origin. The Office of Health Care Quality will be reviewing the requests seven days a week, 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please send an email to [email protected]
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.