SAMPLE TESTING CONSENT FORMS ADDED TO WHCA COVID-19 RESOURCE PAGE
On May 28, the Department of Social and Health Services Residential Care Services (DSHS/RCS) issued its amended guidance on COVID-19 testing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities with memory care units. In the guidance, DSHS/RCS stated that written consent documenting an acceptance of testing was “preferred." A week later, the Department of Health (DOH) issued its updated FAQs on COVID-19 testing. In that document, DOH took the position that while consent for testing need to be obtained from both staff and residents, the consent did not need to be in writing. Rather “verbal consent documented in the health record was acceptable and a consent form with resident’s signatures is not necessary.” For providers who prefer to err on the side of caution, WHCA has prepared a sample resident authorization and consent form and a sample staff authorization and consent form. The forms are provided in Microsoft Word format on WHCA’s COVID-19 resource page, and providers can use the sample forms in drafting their own authorization and consent documents.
HHS RELEASES $15 BILLION FOR MEDICAID PROVIDER RELIEF
AHCA/NCAL has advocated for the last several weeks for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make provider relief payments to Medicaid providers. On
June 9, HHS announced the distribution of $15 billion from the Provider Relief Fund to Medicaid providers. These additional resources are critical for providers. More is still required to ensure the safety of residents and staff, and WHCA and AHCA/NCAL will continue to advocate on your behalf for the funds and other resources you need.
Examples of providers that may be eligible for this funding include Medicaid-only nursing homes, assisted living communities, and other home and community-based service providers. Read more.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.
