COVID-19 UPDATE #223
January 21, 2022
DOH UPDATES INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR TRANSFERRING RESIDENTS BETWEEN LTC AND OTHER HEALTHCARE SETTINGS
The Department of Health (DOH) has updated its Interim Guidance for Transferring Residents Between Long-Term Care and Other Healthcare Settings. Of note, there is updated guidance regarding admitting to a long term care facility during a COVID-19 outbreak investigation. To address health care system capacity shortages, the guidance that admissions should pause on units with identified healthcare personnel or facility/agency acquired cases is temporarily waived effective January 21, 2022, until February 18, 2022; admissions should continue if the facility can safely admit new residents.

Admissions may continue in the facility if there are:
  • Infection prevention policies in place and infection prevention expertise available;
  • Adequate staffing, PPE, and testing capacity to safely care for residents;
  • A plan in place for cohorting residents including a designated COVID unit or area, or plans in place for a designated COVID unit or area that can be quickly implemented (for very small facilities such as adult family homes, this can mean a plan for isolation of residents with COVID-19 in a private room);
  • Notification of the resident to be admitted (or guardian/POA) of the COVID status in the facility.

Admissions should pause in the facility pending consultation with the LHJ if there is evidence of ongoing transmission (for example additional facility-acquired resident COVID-19 cases or additional healthcare worker cases with known healthcare exposure identified through outbreak investigation testing) within the facility despite outbreak control measures.
DEAR ADMINISTRATOR LETTERS ANNOUNCE ADMISSION INCENTIVE EXTENSION FOR AL AND SNF
A Dear Administrator letter amended January 21, 2022, informs assisted living facilities that the Home and Community Services (HCS) Division received approval to extend the incentives to assisted living facilities who accept new resident admissions from acute hospitals through February 28, 2022.

The letter explains two admission incentive levels, one is $3,000 for an admission 59 days or less since HCS referral, and the other is $6,000 for an admission 60 days or greater since HCS referral.

All Incentives will be calculated from date of HCS referral to date of referral to the facility. Individuals newly admitting to assisted living facilities from acute care hospitals during this period will receive a one-time admission incentive when:
  • A client-specific approval letter is requested and approved by Home and Community Services prior to admission. This approval letter is required to receive the incentive.
  • The individual admits to the Assisted Living facility during 8/12/2021 through 2/28/2022.
  • The Department has confirmed that this is a new admission from an acute care hospital. Readmissions and transfers are not eligible for this incentive.

All assisted living admission, transfer and discharge rules continue to apply.

A Dear Administrator letter amended January 21, 2022, informs skilled nursing facilities that HCS Division received approval to extend the incentives to skilled nursing facilities who accept new resident admissions from acute hospitals through February 28, 2022.

Individuals with both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligible) newly admitting to nursing facilities from acute care hospitals during this period will receive a one-time $6,000 admission incentive when:
  • A client-specific approval letter is requested and approved by Home and Community Services prior to admission. This approval letter is required to receive the incentive.
  • The individual admits to the nursing facility during 8/9/2021 through 2/28/2022.
  • The Department receives a Nursing Facility Notice of Action (Form 15-031) confirming admission date.
  • The Department has confirmed that this is a new Nursing Facility admission from an acute care hospital. Nursing Facility readmissions and nursing facility transfers are not eligible for this incentive.

All nursing home admission, transfer and discharge rules continue to apply. If providers have questions, the letter directs them to email snfadmissionincentive@dshs.wa.gov.
PPE ISSUES IN LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES | DOH NEEDS YOUR INPUT
The Washington State Department of Health wants to hear from long term care facilities about difficulties they are having with obtaining personal protective equipment. Please fill out this survey to let DOH know what issues you are having with getting PPE for your staff.
CMS HEALTH CARE WORKER VACCINE MANDATE WEBINAR RECORDING AVAILABLE
The AHCA/NCAL webinar recording on implementing CMS’s health care worker vaccine mandate is now available for all members. The webinar reviews implementation deadlines, which employees are covered, required record keeping and other aspects of the IFR. Please note that this webinar was recorded prior to today’s release of the QSO memo establishing compliance deadlines for providers in Texas. Watch the video here.
AHCA/NCAL CONTINUES TO DEVELOP RESOURCES TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF BOOSTER SHOTS FOR RESIDENTS AND STAFF
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has developed additional #GetVaccinated campaign graphics to help promote the importance of booster shots for both residents and staff. They have developed posters, stickers, table tents, pins, and social media post and graphics that can be utilized by members.
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.