HFAM Update
Friends:
First I want to thank each and every one of you, and every member of your team. Because of you and your leadership Maryland is among the best states in the nation in terms of resident and staff COVID-19 vaccination. In the last 24 hours I’ve had the opportunity to meet in person or online with leaders at Vita Healthcare, Stella Maris, and Charles E. Smith Life Communities – each with VERY HIGH staff and resident vaccination rates and with very few staff exemptions.
Second, I want to thank Robert F. Christian, M.S., NRP, COVID Recovery Team Congregate Care Chief, and his team at the Maryland Department of Health. In recent weeks, Robert and his team have conducted vaccination and booster clinics at 84 Maryland skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, with 17 additional clinics planned for the coming days. Additionally, Robert and his team have communicated and had a meaningful engagement with over 350 assisted living campuses, completed 70 vaccination and booster clinics on those campuses, with an additional 5 clinics scheduled for this week. Your leadership paired with the “get the job done” attitude of Robert and his team will most certainly save lives.
It is important to note, not all booster clinics in our sector are conducted by the state. For instance, Stella Maris' booster and recent vaccination clinics were in coordination with Mercy Medical Center; some of Maryland's skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers partner with pharmacy partners, and others perhaps with a local hospital partner. NOTE: Please reach out to HFAM if you are having difficulty arranging a booster clinic.
Today in Maryland and across the nation, COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots are MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER! This is what our national partners at AHCA/NCAL shared earlier today: “Each day we learn more about the Omicron variant. It is very concerning because Omicron is spreading rapidly. A recent report from the state of Washington suggests the prevalence in the community is doubling every 2-3 days, which is what is being seen in Africa and Europe. Without a booster, the primary COVID-19 series only provides about 30% protection against Omicron. With a booster, after 10 days, the protection increases to about 75%.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM AHCA/NCAL.
As is much of the nation, we are in a COVID-19 surge in the community at large, in hospitals, and in our sector. With both normal patient and COVID-19 volume up, Maryland hospitals are filling up. Our hospital partners, state and federal leaders, and leaders in our sector are all concerned with maintaining hospital and care capacity across all settings. The current increase in care volume makes capacity in all of our settings more challenging, and the current workforce shortage in all of our settings truly amplifies this challenge. All this said our SNFs must remain a resource to our hospital partners, especially during times of COVID-19 surge.
NOTE: We will be surveying skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers on capacity, referral and reductions in capacity related to staffing. Stay tuned.
Monoclonal Antibody EUA:
As Always:
- Focus on what is in your control and not what is out of your control.
- Let’s get those boosters and the flu vaccine in the arms of people.
- Overcommunicate – with residents, patients, families, staff, and government partners.
- Adapt and innovate.
- Rely on your partnerships.
- Speak up when you need help.
- Double efforts on infectious disease protocols, training, and operations.
- Take and document your action; keep a timeline.
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CLICK HERE for the Dr. Katz Video, and please see the Donning and Doffing Checklist we have been sharing.
Be well,
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Joe DeMattos
President and CEO
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HRSA Begins Phase 4 Payments and Shares Payment Reconsideration Updates
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) today announced the distribution of approximately $9 billion in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 payments to health care providers who have experienced revenue losses and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. HRSA reports a total of $17 billion for release in Phase 4.
Of the $9 billion released today, HRSA states the average payment for small providers is $58,000, $289,000 for medium providers, and $1.7 million for large providers. More than 69,000 providers in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and eight territories will receive Phase 4 payments. Payments will start to be made later this week, and the Phase 4 payment methodology is available here.
The PRF Phase 4 payments are in addition to the $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments to providers and suppliers who serve rural Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, and Medicare beneficiaries.
HRSA will make Phase 4 awards on a rolling basis. More details on HRSA’s recent update on Phase 4 roll out, status of outstanding ARP Rural Payments, and how to complete Period 1 Reporting if you were unable to report were shared in a recent AHCA/NCAL update.
Additional HRSA resources are available, including the HHS press release and a state-by-state breakdown of Phase 4 payments. AHCA/NCAL will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Payment Reconsideration
HRSA has also updated its payment reconsideration webpage. The PRF Reconsideration Process is intended for providers who believe their payment was not calculated correctly. The update provides preliminary information on how to request a Phase 4 or ARP Rural Reconsideration.
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REMINDER: New Training: Inventory Supply Management for PPE and COVID-19 POC Testing
COVID-19 and other unpredictable infectious agents – coupled with fluctuating demand and inconsistent supply – have created the need for skilled nursing, assisted living and ID/DD facilities to have robust PPE and COVID-19 point of care (POC) testing inventory management programs. Surveyors are closely examining how prepared long term care facilities are to weather these unpredictable factors.
The Inventory Supply Management for PPE and COVID-19 POC Testing training is a nine-module case-based learning program that incorporates technical skills with real-life examples to illustrate the importance that inventory and supply management brings to the facility during day-to-day operations and when outbreaks occur. Participants also will learn best practices for addressing common supply and demand issues.
The program helps facilities identify how regular work week needs versus weekend or holiday needs can differ in terms of navigating changing PPE and COVID-19 testing needs. Participants will gain insight about inventory rotation to prevent waste from expired supplies and how the unique needs of stand-alone facilities differ from those of corporate chains.
Case examples engage learners in assessing situations and identifying best practices for addressing common supply and demand issues. Participants also will learn about CDC’s Burn Rate Calculator.
The cost of the course is $199 for AHCA/NCAL members and $650 for non-members. The course is approved for 4.50 NAB CEs and 4.50 nursing contact hours through the Iowa Board of Nursing.
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Want to see previous HFAM updates?
Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
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