Please keep reading our information because it changes every day. Below is the latest information provided to the association -- please note that we will continue to send updates as soon as we receive any new information.
COVID-19 UPDATE 54
September 21, 2020
Reminder: Today is the Last Day to Apply for HHS Private Pay Relief Funding

Today is the deadline to apply for HHS private pay relief funding for licensed assisted living providers. Licensed assisted living providers who have not yet applied should do so before the extended deadline tonight at 11:59 p.m. by visiting hhs.gov/providerrelief.

As a reminder, if you provided TIN information to the Trade Association Portal, you still need to apply through the HHS portal. And if you did not provide TIN information through the Trade Association Portal, you are still eligible to apply now through the HHS portal.

Additionally, here is some clarification provided by HHS on some frequently asked questions:

If an assisted living community previously applied for Phase 2 General Distribution Medicaid Funds, but received less than 2% of gross revenue, may the community apply for additional funds through the private pay portal?
The answer is no. There is a chance that additional funding could be made available in the future that these providers could apply to receive.

If I made a mistake on my application form, can I amend it?
Some errors will trigger a follow up from HHS for clarification.

As a reminder, there are a number of resources that can be referenced to assist with the application process:

  • HHS Resources
  1. Resources for applying can be found on the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund provider page. This includes information about the application process as well as a webinar on that you may find helpful. 
  2. Instructions for completing the application form; this documentation will help answer some of your questions as you work through the application.
  3. HHS FAQs on the Phase 2 General Distribution will provide helpful answers to commonly asked questions.
  4. HHS Provider Support Line: (866) 569-3522, Option 2

  • Argentum Resources
  1. Argentum webinar recording and accompanying PPT
  2. Argentum FAQs
Follow-Up and Handout Materials Available from Recent Abbott Testing Webinar

The Abbott BinaxNOW™ Webinar for assisted living facilities was hosted on Friday, September 18. The Abbott team appreciated the engagement from all participants and the questions received through their Q+A box. 
  
The team will work with Abbott and the CDC to answer these questions and send out a consolidated question and answer list to all participants, along with a link to the recording of the presentation. We will aim to have this to you as soon as possible. 
  
During the webinar, participants asked for a copy of the powerpoint slides. Additionally, they provided some useful links and critical contact information below: 
  
Contact Information:  

  • To report shipping issues / order quality concerns (these should be sent to Abbott at: ARDxUSGovernmentSupport@abbott.com) 
  • For technical usage questions about the BinaxNOW™ test, contact Abbott directly at: Technical support: ts.scr@abbott.com or 1-800-257-9525 
  • For all other questions related to your distribution, please contact HHSBINAX@hhs.gov, this inbox was established to coordinate the distribution of government procured Abbott BinaxNOW™kits. This inbox should NOT be used to request kits for facilities not currently receiving these tests. 
  
Useful Links:  
  
  • For training videos & documentation and other important links, please refer the following information:  
  • For access to access training videos and documents, please visit the BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card and NAVICA™ App Set-Up and Training portal.  
  • For CLIA FAQs and information, click here.  
  • For policy regarding performance of antigen tests authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) at the point of care or in patient care settings operating under a CLIA Certificate of Waiver, please refer to CMS’s policy here and PREP Act guidance here. 
  • For FDA recommendations to health care providers who are ordering authorized tests outside their authorization (e.g., antigen tests for asymptomatic individuals), please see FDA’s FAQ on Testing for SARS-CoV-2.  
Please Participate in the Short Visitation Survey

How many visitors are making appointments and visiting residents in your communities? Please take a minute to respond to the four questions below so we can get a better idea of the numbers of visitors entering your communities.

Please take a minute to answer the following four questions by CLICKING HERE.