Updated Communications Guidance from ISDH

Complimentary Reimbursement Webinar (1CE)

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From The Governor's Office

From LeadingAge National

LeadingAge is “ the mouse that roared ” as they fight for Provider Communities; see also:

James M. Berklan, Executive Editor of McKnight's Long-Term Care News pens a clear morning editoria l;
NBC News flipped the usual narrative with this headline: “Industry executive: White House plan to send a week's worth of masks, gloves to nursing homes is not enough"; and
All LeadingAge press statements and coverage highlights on our Driving the Conversation page.

CMS Releases Rule Including New Nursing Home Reporting Requirements (Very good summary prepared by LeadingAge National)

New Rule is expected to go into effect May 8, 2020
National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) trainings will eventually be posted to the NHSN website.
Access the training here the and dates/times are below:
Monday, May 4, 2:00pm EST – Enrollment Process
Tuesday, May 5, 3:00pm EST – Reporting Module

Overview of HUD’s May 1 Multifamily FAQs

ISDH Updates

Updated Communication Guidance

Strategies for dealing with COVID-19 in memory care units (updated 5/03/20)

COVID-19 Long-term Care Facility Communication Guidelines (updated 5/03/20)

The most significant changes are:
Adds staff to reporting numbers (CMS includes both staff and resident cases)
Removes death reporting as a daily requirement. (CMS does not require)
Clarifies reporting to only designated representatives if residents do not have decision making capacity
Provides option to opt out for representatives and residents. For a resident to opt out it would require both them and their representative agreeing.
Adds the CMS requirement to report if there is 3 or more cases of residents or staff with respiratory symptoms in the last 72 hours
Note: ISDH does not require that the LTCF document every communication. The LTCF should able to document the communication procedure and whether an individual is included in that procedure (in case that a complaint of not receiving communication might be investigated).
Note: other reporting requirements (RedCap and Gateway) are not altered by this update.