Greetings!
This message includes:
- information on the just announced vaccination program for residents;
- registration for a VDH webinar next week on vaccine planning;
- Abbot BinaxNow training webinars;
- news about the Point-of-Care Laboratory Reporting Pathway in NHSN and instructions on upgrading to Level 3 access in NHSN to the pathway; and
- a new AHCA fact sheet on the 3-Day Stay Waiver.
Sincerely,
April Payne, MBA, LNHA
Vice President of Quality Improvement | Director of VCAL
Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living
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White House Announces Vaccination
Distribution Program for LTC Residents
On Friday, October 16, the White House announced the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program—a national vaccine distribution program for long term care residents.
The COVID-19 vaccine will likely become available in phases over the coming months. To prepare, the federal government has partnered with CVS and Walgreens to distribute and administer the vaccine to residents in long term care facilities. This program is free of charge and covers all of the reporting requirements associated with the vaccine. Vaccination for health care workers will be handled by states, and likely take place in early phases of distribution.
Starting on Monday, October 19, long term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living communities, ICF/IIDs and other congregate settings for older adults) will have two weeks to register with the CDC on how they want to receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Nursing homes will be able to register through the NHSN website, while assisted living communities and other congregate settings can register through an online survey.
We strongly encourage all long term care facilities to participate and register as soon as the portals open. This is critical to ensuring our vulnerable residents are among the first to receive a vaccine when it becomes available.
The CDC is offering an overview and FAQs to help further explain the program, and we are also offering an overview. To prepare, we encourage you to review these materials, as well as:
- Compile the necessary information for the nursing home and assisted living portals, to inform CDC about your resident population.
- Register now for one of the AHCA/NCAL “Office Hours” on ahcancalED. They have already secured multiple times over the next two weeks with CDC staff to help answer your questions about this vaccination program.
- Be on the lookout for additional emails early next week and check the AHCA/NCAL website for the registration links and any additional information.
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VDH COVID-19 Vaccination Briefing Webinar
VDH and the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association will host a webinar for long term care and other Virginia healthcare stakeholders on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 12:00 pm to discuss COVID-19 vaccine planning and next steps for providers interested in administering the vaccine. Registration is required.
October 22, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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Abbott BinaxNOW Training Webinars
Via BinaxNOW COVID-19 and NAVICA Apps
Abbott is hosting daily webinars over the next two weeks for long term care providers using the BinaxNOW COVID-19 and NAVICA app. The content of each presentation is identical, so providers only need to attend one training. Click here for dates and registration links.
The learning objectives for this webinar series include:
- understanding key components and actions surrounding testing with the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card and NAVICA App
- reviewing test preparation, patient sampling and highlight important steps to implement testing
- locating key resources for supporting implementation of BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card and NAVICA App
Support is also available via the Abbott Rapid Diagnostics Technical Services Team at (800)257-9525 (select option 2) between 8 am – 8 pm EST Monday - Friday or by emailing ts.scr@abbott.com. |
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Point of Care Laboratory Reporting Pathway in NHSN
The CDC is releasing a new pathway through their National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) LTCF COVID-19 Module that will allow providers to report the results of their point-of-care (POC) COVID-19 testing (see additional info below). Providers who are performing POC COVID-19 testing under their CLIA waiver are required to report the results to their local or state health department. This new pathway gives providers an alternative option to meet this requirement.
The CDC is hosting two identical training webinars on October 22 and 23 to introduce this new module. Both sessions will feature a live Q&A. A recording of the original webinar will also be posted for online viewing.
October 22, 2020 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
October 23, 2020 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm
*Note this will be a re-broadcast of webinar #1 with a live Q&A
Important note: Reporting through this module requires updating your Secure Access Management Services (SAMS) access to Level-3. Instructions on updating your access are available here. |
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Upgrade to Level-3 Access to NHSN Today to Access the
Point-of-Care Laboratory Reporting Pathway in NHSN
As previously reported, NHSN has expanded its reporting modules to allow providers to report the results of their point-of-care (POC) COVID-19 testing. In order to access this tracking module, you must upgrade your Secure Access Management Services (SAMS) access to Level-3. Level-1 to Level-3 SAMS access can take up to four weeks to complete. Facilities are encouraged to start the process today to ensure they are able to take advantage of the reporting modules.
Steps to complete the SAMS Level-3 upgrade:
- Check your email inbox for communication from SAMS, via sams-no-reply@cdc.gov requesting two forms of identification.
- Submit your proof of identification by logging into SAMS at https://sams.cdc.gov and use the "Update Profile" menu option on the left side of the page. Confirm your home mailing address and ensure that your name and address match how it appears on your submitted identification.
- Complete the SAMS certification process. SAMS will confirm your identity and email you a “Welcome to SAMS” email as well as send you a SAMS grid card via mail to your home address. The SAMS grid card permits Level-3 access to NHSN.
- Activate your Level-3 access in NHSN by logging into SAMS at https://sams.cdc.gov. Underneath the “National Healthcare Safety Network System” header, select “NHSN Reporting link.” Do not access the NHSN LTC Reporting option as this will direct you to level one security.
If you experience problems during enrollment, please contact the NHSN user support at nhsn@cdc.gov with “Enhancing Data Security” in the subject line.
You can find out more information about the Level-3 Access in NHSN here. |
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Updated: 3-Day Stay and Benefit Period
COVID-19 Waiver Guidance Fact Sheet
On October 2, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) renewed the declaration of the COVID-19 national public health emergency (PHE), and it will now extend through at least January 20, 2021 (unless the secretary renews the PHE again). This means that most of the Section 1135 and Section 1812(f) Social Security Act waivers impacting SNFs will continue, including waivers of the Medicare Part A SNF 3-day stay prior hospitalization requirement and 60-day break in spell of illness requirement to qualify for covered services.
- the background of the waivers
- Medicare Part A SNF skilled coverage requirements
- highlights of the most current CMS 3-day stay and spell of illness FAQ guidance (most recently updated June 19, 2020)
- current CMS 3-day stay and spell of illness waiver claims processing guidance (most recently updated August 26, 2020).
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Upcoming Events
September 29 – October 29, 2020
October 8-31, 2020
November 16 & 19, 2020
November 17-18, 2020
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