COVID-19 Update #269
CMS Issues Guidance on Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid Financing 

Late Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a State Medicaid Directors’ Letter on how states may draw down and use additional federal Medicaid funds aimed at expanding access to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). We are still analyzing the guidance, but upon initial review, CMS indicates states must comply with two program requirements to receive the increased FMAP for HCBS expenditures: 

  • Federal funds attributable to the increased FMAP of 10% must be used to supplement existing state funds expended for Medicaid HCBS in effect as of April 1, 2021; and 

  • States must use state funds equal to the amount of federal funds to implement activities to enhance, expand, or strengthen HCBS under the Medicaid program. 

Requirements are effective retroactively to April 1, 2021. 

You can review the State Medicaid Directors Letter on CMS’ website. CMS is hosting a listening session on the guidance on Monday, May 17 at 12:30 pm EST. Advanced registration is requested. 

For more information, please see the HHS press release and the State Medicaid Director letter. AHCA/NCAL will continue to analyze this and will provide further detail in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mike Cheek at mcheek@ahca.org.
MDH Webinar Recap

Yesterday 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
  • Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
  • Variants and Sequencing
  • Guidance Reminders and Clarification
  • FAQs
  • Q&A

You can also view the webinar's PowerPoint presentation here and the chat box here. In addition, click here for the specimen collection overview.

If you have any questions, please email mdh.ipcovid@maryland.gov.
CDC Guidance for Fully-Vaccinated Individuals in Non-Healthcare Settings

Please note that the CDC guidance released yesterday for fully-vaccinated individuals does NOT apply to healthcare settings:
Keep checking for the latest healthcare guidance here (last updated 4/27/21):
Nursing Home Media Toolkit
Check out the new Nursing Home Media Toolkit from the Maryland Department of Health. The password to access the materials is Vaccine2021.
 
Please use the materials in this media toolkit to spread the word about vaccination with staff.

You'll find flyers, ads, social media posts, videos, and posters. 
Action Required!

Survey to Collect Vaccination Point of Contact
The updated MDH order for nursing homes requires each facility to identify a vaccination point of contact (more details above on the order).

In order to assist with this effort, please fill out this brief SURVEY as soon as possible.
HFAM Member Benefit - First Financial Federal Credit Union

First Financial Federal Credit Union and HFAM have aligned in partnership to bring credit union membership, financial savings, and educational resources to our healthcare heroes and their families.

All HFAM members and their families are eligible to join the credit union.

Since 1953, First Financial Federal Credit Union has been serving Baltimore area communities with a lifetime of valuable membership benefits. In addition to receiving the very best financial tools available, you will enjoy the peace of mind that we will guide you through every step along the way.
 
Whether you need to borrow for today or save for your tomorrow, becoming a member is the key to getting started.
 
First Financial Federal Credit Union has a series of upcoming free wellness and financial webinars.Visit firstfinancial.org/open to get started today!
The 2021 HFAM Conference “Together We Re-Imagine” will be held in person October 4 – 7, 2021 at the Maryland Live Hotel and Casino in Hanover, Maryland. Hundreds of long-term care leaders will connect, share best practices and discuss actionable insights on how we can reflect, reform, rebuild, and revolutionize quality care. You and your teams will not want to miss this opportunity as we come together again.

Visit the conference website to learn more and register.
Thank you to our current sponsors!
#Get Vaccinated
With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the AHCA/NCAL Get Vaccinated campaign now has a dedicated website –getvaccinated.us – to help educate and encourage caregivers and staff at long-term care facilities to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The website includes credible information from medical professionals, public health officials, and scientists to help answer common questions about the vaccines among staff members and other individuals.
Did you miss an update?

Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
Health Facilities Association of Maryland WW.HFAM.ORG