COVID-19 UPDATE #268

October 24, 2022

In a Dear Provider letter dated October 21, 2022, providers are informed about the second extension of emergency rules regulating the timelines for completing CARE assessments for current residents in adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and enhanced services facilities effective October 20, 2022. The emergency rules amend WACs 388-76-10350, 388-78A-2100, and 388-107-0080 to allow facilities to continue using a CARE assessment for a current resident whose care is state-funded for an additional 12 months. Emergency rules are effective for 120 days unless repealed, or the department may file an extension as needed. At this time, these rules are scheduled to expire on February 11, 2023.

Assessments are still required when there is a significant change to a resident’s condition, and HCS continues to conduct those assessments. Negotiated care plans or negotiated service agreements must continue to be updated as needed according to the schedules in:

• Adult family homes: WAC 388-76-10380
• Assisted living facilities: WAC 388-78A-2150
• Enhanced services facilities: WAC 388-107-0130

For questions, please email the DSHS RCS Policy Unit.

After much thought and discussion, the Department of Health (DOH) has decided to end the weekly Long Term Care (LTC) calls starting January 2023. DOH is finding that the webinars may no longer be as effective as they once were due to where we are in the pandemic. DOH will start by reducing the meeting frequency in November to monthly. 

This Thursday, October 27, will be the last weekly meeting and the changes will be announced during the calls. In November and December, DOH will host Q&A webinars on November 10 and December 15. After December, the meeting series will end. DOH will continue to reevaluation the need for future calls as needs change in 2023.

DOH will remain a proactive and supportive resource for long term care facilities (LTCFs) across the state by providing the following:

• DOH Infection Preventionists (IPs) will be available for support, information and guidance including directly by email and via the COVID mailbox (see page 2 of this document for contact information).
• DOH will still offer updates on guidance changes on any IP topic relevant to LTCFs. If there are big guidance changes, DOH will schedule a webinar or webinar series to review the guidance and answer questions.
• DOH will provide links to resources and educational opportunities that are available.
• DOH has other focused educational initiatives in the works that will provide infection prevention education and training for LTCFs.

While COVID-19 vaccination continues to provide the best protection, COVID-19 therapies are widely available to help treat eligible people who do get sick and are at risk of developing severe disease. Antiviral treatments for residents at risk for COVID-19 reduces their risk of hospitalization and death. 

The antiviral Paxlovid, along with Veklury (remdesivir), are the preferred treatments for eligible residents with positive COVID-19 test results and who are at risk for progression to severe COVID-19. COVID-19 therapeutics should be considered for any COVID-19 resident who meets the eligibility criteria.

This fact sheet provides valuable information for patients, families, and caregivers. Included in the fact sheet is a detailed summary of what Paxlovid is, how it can be used safely, and other considerations to help eligible residents and their families make an informed decision about the utilization of Paxlovid.

AHCA has updated its three-day stay benefit period waiver resource to incorporate the recent PHE extension and ICD-10 guidance updates. Read more here.