HRSA Extends PRF Application Window and Provides Phase 4 and Rural CHOW Guidance
Yesterday, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) announced that providers have additional time to complete their Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 and Rural Application.
The new FAQ states:
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All applicants must complete the first step of the application process (i.e., submitting their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and associated information for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) validation) no later than October 26, 2021, at 11:59 PM EST.
- The required IRS validation that occurs after completion of the first step may take a few days.
- If an applicant submits their TIN for validation by the October 26, 2021 deadline and that TIN is subsequently validated by the IRS, the applicant will have until November 3, 2021 at 11:59 PM EST to complete and submit their application.
Additionally, last week, HRSA provided AHCA/NCAL with guidance on changes of ownership. Based upon the guidance, between the seller and the buyer, the eligible applicant depends on:
- The filing TIN that is associated with the application.
- If the “seller” no longer has a filing TIN, they would not be eligible.
- If the “buyer” has a new filing TIN and the sale has been approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by the date the organization initiates its Phase 4 application, the buyer is the entity eligible to apply.
Providers may contact HRSA’s Provider Support Line for assistance with challenging issues, such as TIN validation, at (866) 569-3522.
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Additional COVID-19 Boosters Approved
COVID-19 booster shots are now recommended for the following groups of individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, at 6 months or more after their initial series:
Additionally, for those that are 18 and older that received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine two or more months ago, a booster shot is recommended.
Eligible individuals can get a booster shot of a different brand if they choose to do so as the CDC is now allowing for mixing and matching product for the booster shot.
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Other COVID-19 Updates
Updated AHCA 3-Day Stay and Benefit Period Waiver Guidance: Last week, AHCA/NCAL updated the guidance document titled 3-Day Stay and Benefit Period Waivers for Medicare Part A SNF PPS.
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FY 2022 First Quarter Rate Adjustments
"Due to the delayed final calculation of FY 2022 first quarter rates, effective July 1, 2021, nursing facilities were authorized to submit claims using the Department’s FY 2021 fourth quarter rates for nursing facility services until the final rates became available. Once the final rates were available, the Department processed a mass claims adjustment for all Medicaid nursing facility services rendered from July 1, 2021 through September 3, 2021. These adjustments were included on the October 2, 2021 remittance advice.
Although adjusted, MMIS-II is unable to pay the difference of any Medicaid claims greater than what was billed. In order to receive the correct payment, affected nursing facilities will need to resubmit claims for services rendered from July 1, 2021 through September 3, 2021 using the new increased rate. Providers should issue an adjustment (paper or electronic) to the original claim if the rate has changed."
If you have any questions regarding this communication, please contact Jarrod Terry at 410-767-6764 or [email protected]. If you have questions on the adjustment process, please contact Warren Greenwell at 410-767-5174 or [email protected].
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MDH Webinar Recap
Last week the Maryland Department of Health held a webinar call to update the long-term care sector on COVID-19 developments and best practices. The call was recorded, in case you were unable to join or would like to review the topics discussed, which included:
- COVID-19 Epi Summary
- Next CDC/Mid-Atlantic MDRO Webinar
- CRISP Data Reporting
- TAT Updates
- IP Week: Meet the MDH IP Team
- FAQs
- Q&A
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MDH Updates
COVID-19 Revenue Supplemental Schedule: Below are the updated instructions regarding the COVID-19 Revenue Supplemental Schedule, the Questionnaire, and a listing of Frequently Asked Questions. Please direct any questions regarding these requirements to Myers & Stauffer LC at (410) 356-9256. Thank you.
Redetermination Extension: Please see the October 20, 2021 memorandum announcing that the Department has extended Medicaid redeterminations to March 31, 2022.
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ATTENTION ASSISTED LIVING PROVIDERS!
The Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) is seeking informal public comments as it continues to revise the assisted living regulations in COMAR 10.07.14. We are reviewing the changes and will engage in the process. We urge our members and the broader members of the sector to review the proposed changes and top over any feedback to HFAM and participate in the public informal comment process. Three more public meetings will be held to provide the opportunity for stakeholders to propose changes to the regulation. Specific sections of the regulation will be discussed at the first, second, and third meetings. The fourth meeting will include comments on all sections. These live on-line meetings are open to the public and are not being held in-person. You can pre-register via this AL registration form and view the draft of the proposed regulations that will serve as the starting point of these discussions.
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September 15, 2021, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., COMAR 10.07.14.00 - 10.07.14.21 (completed)
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October 19, 2021, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., COMAR 10.07.14.22 – 10.07.14.37 (completed)
- November 16, 2021, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., COMAR 10.07.14.38 – 10.07.14.64
- December 16, 2021, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., all sections
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Free Online or In-Person Infection Control Training Now Available!
The Maryland Department of Health Project Firstline learning management system (NextThought) is now available as a free service for all Maryland healthcare workers, including Environmental Services staff.
A total of seven CDC-prepared courses are available as self-guided modules. Materials for the introductory infection control course are also provided in a format for group training sessions with a facilitator. Additional content for group training sessions will be released in October 2021.
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Health Care Cybersecurity Symposium
November 8, 2021
3PM – 5PM ET
Virtual
Managing Risk Within the Health Care Supply Chain
Registration is free.
Join us as we reflect on the past and plan for the future! Hear from industry leaders locally and nationally as they share perspectives on the changing cybersecurity landscape, supply chain vulnerabilities, and strategic matters, technical and cultural, including best practices for securing the health care supply chain.
Presentations will highlight the need to secure protected health information more than ever with the increasing use of telehealth, web-connected medical devices, and other third-parties, including impacts and lessons learned from the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Questions
Contact Eva Lenoir
410-764-337
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Building a Culture of Safety in Long-Term Care
VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL EVENT
December 3, 2021 | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
This educational activity has been approved for 3.25 total
participant hours for Long Term Care Administrators.
OVERVIEW
This virtual half-day program will provide participants with a foundational program on how to build a culture of safety for long-term care. This program will provide participants with strategies to engage their staff in a culture of change and provide tools to build a strong safety culture in their organization. Participants will come away with ideas to implement the following week.
Learn more at:
Questions?
410.540.9210
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Did you miss an update?
Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
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