Member Call Schedule Modified
Due to member request and new scheduling conflicts, we have modified the times of our scheduled member calls on COVID-19 for this week. (800-326-0013, 9164502# is the number for LeadingAge Connecticut calls.)
- Nursing home 15-minute update call on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 2:00 p.m.
- LeadingAge National update call for members every day at 3:30 p.m. register
- Life Plan Community/Assisted Living call at Noon on Wednesday
- DNS call on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
- HR Issues Related to COVID-19 member call on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
New Housing Resources
CDC Webinar Tomorrow
Tomorrow, March 18th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a call on COVID-19 with Nursing Home organizations. CMS leadership will discuss 1135 waivers and the agency's latest telehealth guidance. There will be audience Q&A and the call will be recorded if you are unable to join us. Please distribute this invitation to your colleagues and membership.
Wednesday, March 18th from 4:30 - 5:00 PM EST
888-455-1397 Access Code: 5854574
CDC COCO LTC Webinar Recording
Today's CDC COCO webinar, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update and Information for Long-term Care Facilities, was recorded and should be available shortly on the website.
DPH Applying for Federal Waiver
DPH is submitting a 1135 Waiver to the federal government which will, among other things, waive the three-day hospital stay requirement, allow for direct admission to a nursing home, and provide MDS and OASIS timeline relief. Right now their survey activity is on hold and we anticipate a CMS announcement on this shortly.
Other Regulatory Waivers
We have been in discussions with DPH about any additional waivers from the state public health code requirements that may be necessary. Regarding the centralized background check system, look for additional guidance shortly.
Visitation Ban is Not a Quarantine
DPH asked that we remind nursing home providers that nursing home residents are allowed to leave the building during the visitor ban. Residents can be screened upon return and other precautions can be put in place, but you cannot refuse re-entry to the building.
Guidance on Health Care Worker Screening, Return to Work
DPH will be issuing guidance related to workforce screening and return to work guidelines, probably later today.
Child Care Resources
The Office of Early Childhood Education has opened a dedicated help line for health care workers seeking child care. This poster contains information and the dedicated line which is 860-756-0864.
Testing
While the availability of testing is still limited, it is growing. We are anticipating the announcement of an expansion of the protocol for State Lab testing to include some cases in nursing homes and assisted livings. There are also currently several commercial labs conducting the testing, but the results can take up to one week. There is also a growing shortage of the swabs that are used in the testing process.
PPE Shortages
The availability of PPE is severely limited and we are expecting additional guidance from CDC on the careful use of the limited supply and alternative methods of protection. The state is expecting a delivery of PPE supplies from the national stockpile, but it will not be as much as requested. The issue of securing PPE and ventilator supplies is a priority for the state, but there is a national shortage of supplies at the moment.
PPE: CMS Protective Mask Guidance for Healthcare Workers
While we anticipate additional CDC guidance on the use of PPE, we wanted to reprint the information on the March 10, CMS sent a memorandum to State Survey Agencies. The memo clarifies the application of CMS policies in light of recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance expanding the types of facemasks healthcare workers may use in situations involving COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. This is an effort to ensure a maximum supply of facemasks and respirators are available to enable healthcare providers to safely treat patients without exposing themselves or others to COVID-19.
The memo CMS aligns CMS policy with recent changes to CDC and FDA facemask and respirator guidance in light of COVID-19 and supply demands. To help reduce burden on healthcare facilities at this time, the CMS memo implements CDC guidance by stating that facemasks, which protect the wearer from splashes and sprays, are an acceptable temporary alternative to respirators, which filter the air, for most medical services until demand for respirators lessens.
Medicaid Provider Bulletins
Physicians, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants, Outpatient Hospitals, and Laboratories: DXC PB 2020-12 CMAP COVID-19 Response - Bulletin 2: Laboratory Testing Coverage
View Bulletin
Pharmacies and Prescribing Providers: CMAP COVID-19 Response - Bulletin 3 Emergency Pharmacy Program Changes
View Bulletin
MLN Connects® Special Edition for Tuesday, March 17, 2020
COVID-19: Expansion of Telehealth Benefits for Medicare Beneficiaries During COVID-19 Outbreak
On March 17, the Trump Administration announced expanded Medicare telehealth coverage that will enable beneficiaries to receive a wider range of health care services from their doctors without having to travel to a health care facility. Beginning on March 6, 2020, Medicare-administered by CMS-will temporarily pay clinicians to provide telehealth services for beneficiaries residing across the entire country.
For More Information:
Leadership Summit Postponed
In light of the President's national emergency declaration to address the coronavirus pandemic, LeadingAge is postponing the 2020 Leadership Summit, originally scheduled April 20-22, to August 10-12, 2020, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.
Governor's Press Conference
The Governor has held his press conference, but the press release is not yet available. I will send it out shortly.
