COVID-19 UPDATE #192
September 27, 2021
NEW PRF PHASE 4 AND RURAL DISTRIBUTION APPLICATION RELEASED
Today AHCA/NCAL provided additional information on the opening of the Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 portal. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released additional information on the $17 billion Phase 4 and the $8.5 billion Rural Distribution application. Applicants will be able to apply for both Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments during the application process.

The application portal will open on September 29, 2021, and close on October 26, 2021, at 11:59 PM ET. Providers who previously created an account in the Provider Relief Fund Application and Attestation Portal and have not logged in for more than 90 days will need to first reset their password before starting a new application.

Providers are urged to begin the application process as soon as possible, but Providers should consider attending one of the HRSA webinars before submitting their application. The application deadline of October 26, 2021, is unlikely to be extended.

HRSA will host webinar sessions featuring guidance on how to navigate the application portal. Register now using the links below.
  • Thursday, September 30 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM PST
  • Tuesday, October 5 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM PST
  • Two additional webinars the weeks of October 11 and 18 (dates, times, and registration forthcoming) 

On October 5, 2021, AHCA/NCAL will make available a pre-recorded webinar on applying. 

In HRSA’s announcement, the Agency notes supporting documentation and information needed to complete an application will include:
  • ​Applicant Tax Identification Number (TIN) and TINs for any subsidiaries
  • Internally-generated financial statements that substantiate operating revenues and expenses from patient care in 2019 Q1, Q3, and Q4; 2020 Q3 and Q4; and 2021 Q1 
  • Federal income tax return, audited financial statements, or internally-generated financial statements submitted in their entirety.
FDA AUTHORIZES PFIZER/BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER
This week the FDA amended the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer vaccination to allow the use of a single booster dose only to those who received the Pfizer vaccine and to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series in:

  • Individuals 65 years of age and older
  • Individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19 
  • Individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 including severe COVID-19.

Individuals in these groups who were vaccinated with Moderna or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine are not recommended to receive a booster shot at this time. The CDC and FDA will be reviewing data on these vaccines to determine the need for a booster shot in the coming weeks.

​The CDC recommends the following groups receive a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their primary series: 

  • People 65 years and older
  • Residents in long term care settings 
  • People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions 
  • People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot based on their individual benefits and risks
  • People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting (e.g., health care workers) may receive a booster shot based on their individual benefits and risks​

While the FDA and CDC recommendations differ slightly, the two agencies agree that long term care residents and staff who completed their Pfizer primary series at least six months ago should receive a booster dose. 

The CDC has created a webpage to help long term care providers access the booster dose. Providers should work with their long term care pharmacies to gain access to the booster dose. If you are having trouble accessing the vaccine, please contact your state or local health department’s immunization program. The appropriate contact for each immunization program can be found here. 

As a reminder, the CDC and ACIP have noted that the COVID-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccination can be co-administered in cases where an individual is eligible for both vaccinations. 
VACCINATION RATES FOR SNF NOW ON CARE COMPARE
This week CMS unveiled functionality on Care Compare to enable users to compare staff and resident vaccination rates across different SNFs. This is to increase transparency and enable members of the public to easily access this information. State and national vaccination rates will also be displayed. The data will be updated every two weeks and comes from data reported by SNFs through the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network system. 
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.