Coronavirus Update #211
Provider Relief Fund FAQs for Vaccine Distribution, CDC Guidance on Post Vaccination, Additional Vaccine Reminders, Abbott NAVICA App Registration, Monoclonal Antibody Therapies, Additional Webinars
Provider Relief Fund FAQs for Vaccine Distribution

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released additional information on using Provider Relief Funds for vaccine administration. These additions are noted in an updated PRF FAQ document and all of the Provider Relief Fund FAQs can be accessed here.

In particular, note the following updates:

  • Provider Relief Funds may be used for administration after other sources of revenue have been exhausted, including: 
  • Direct patient billing;
  • Commercial insurance; 
  • Medicare/Medicaid; 
  • Reimbursement from the Provider Relief Fund COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing; 
  • Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured; or
  • Funds received from FEMA or SBA/Department of Treasury’s Paycheck Protection Program

Providers may use Provider Relief Fund payments to pay taxes for “healthcare related expenses attributable to coronavirus," except for Nursing Home Infection Control Distribution payments.
CDC Guidance Regarding Post Vaccination Considerations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released new guidance regarding post vaccination considerations for residents and staff. This is new infection control guidance for nursing home residents and healthcare workers  who may develop side effects that mimic COVID-19 disease after receiving COVID vaccination. The goal is to avoid excluding staff or isolating residents unnecessarily, while still avoiding allowing positive staff or residents to expose others.
Additional Vaccine Distribution Reminders

AHCA/NCAL Webinar Recording and Materials: As a reminder, the recording to last week's AHC/NCAL webinar, Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics is available. The webinar covered what providers need to do now to prepare for vaccine clinics and tips to promote high vaccination rates in buildings.

Additional vaccination planning resources, including this template vaccine clinic checklist, can be found on the AHCA/NCAL website.

  • Skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers signed up for the CVS/Walgreens vaccination program as directed by the federal government. The Maryland Department of Health has signed up all skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers into the national CVS/Walgreen vaccination plan and expects all facilities to participate. 

  • Walgreens completed outreach by Wednesday, December 9. If Walgreens is your pharmacy and you have not heard from them, please contact ImmunizeLTC@walgreens.com

  • CVS completed outreach by Monday, December 14. If CVS is your pharmacy and you have not heard from them, check your spam, update facility contact information HERE, and email CovidVaccineClinicsLTCF@CVSHealth.com with "CONTACT" as the subject line and include the facility name, address, and point of contact information.

AHCA/NCAL Launches Vaccination Campaign: AHCA/NCAL launched a new #GetVaccinated campaign​ to encourage long term care staff and residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine​​. Read More

Please email COVID19@ahca.org with any questions.
Abbott NAVICA App Registration

All facilities that are using Abott BinaxNOW must register themselves with Abbott and the Navica App.

When the app goes live with being able to connect with State reporting, there will likely be an influx of registrations. Therefore, It is highly recommended for facilities currently using the BinaxNow to register ASAP. Please be on the lookout for additional information soon.
Workshop on Allocation of COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapies and Other Novel Therapeutics

This workshop will discuss key considerations for assisting decision makers in their efforts to equitably allocate COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapies and other novel therapeutics at the state and local levels. The workshop will be December 16 - 17, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET each day.

Upcoming COVID-19 Webinars

Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 1:30 PM ET
Hosted by the CDC 

Vaccine Clinic Prep Office Hours
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 4 PM ET
Hosted by AHCA/NCAL

Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 3 PM ET 
Hosted by the CDC Foundation

Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 10 AM ET 
Hosted by Project ECHO
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.