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April 19th COVID-19 Update

New COVID-19-related updates for providers of long-term/post-acute care (LTPAC) and senior services continue to be shared on a regular basis by both state and federal authorities. The latest developments are described below.

As a reminder, LeadingAge NY continues to convene weekly webinars on Mondays at 11 a.m. to address emerging questions on COVID-19. A recording of our most recent webinar, held on April 18th, is available here, and a list of the items shared by LeadingAge NY staff in the webinar chat can be accessed here. If you have questions for next week’s update or would like the access information, please contact Jeff Diamond.

Cross-Sector Updates

PRF Late Reporting Request Window Closing

April 22nd marks the deadline for recipients of Provider Relief Funding (PRF) who failed to report for Period 1 (funds received through June 30, 2020) due to extenuating circumstances to request to file a late report. The form providers need to complete and the process they need to follow is described on a dedicated page on the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) website here. Those who filed a report but are seeking to revise a submitted report should contact the Provider Support Line at 866-569-3522 for assistance. We also remind members that providers who believe that the calculation of their Phase 4 or Rural Distribution award does not conform to the published methodology have until May 2nd (or 45 days after receipt of funding, whichever is later) to request a reconsideration by HRSA by following the process outlined on the HRSA website here.

Nursing Home and Adult Care Facility (ACF)/Assisted Living (AL) Updates

DOH Issues Updated Guidance for ACFs Regarding Infection Prevention and Control

On April 18th, the Department of Health (DOH) issued an updated infection prevention and control advisory to ACFs. Many aspects of the guidance affirm practices already in place and link to several previously issued advisories. We recommend that you review the advisory carefully to ensure compliance; however, this article provides an outline of those aspects that are notable, with summaries of linked guidance when possible.

DOH, QIO to Present Webinar on “Getting Back to Basics and New CMS Rule F888”

DOH, in partnership with the IPRO Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO), will present an educational webinar titled “Getting Back to Basics and New CMS Rule F888” on Wed., April 20th from 12 to 1 p.m.

Presentation topic areas will include the following:

  • Updated Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tools
    • Entrance worksheet
    • Infection Prevention, Control & Immunizations
  • Importance of reviewing policies and procedures
  • Use of quality improvement teams
  • F888 and use of IPRO-created checklist to improve compliance and enhance policies and procedures
  • New Staff Matrix

Click here to register for the webinar.

Review of DOH and CMS Cohorting Guidance

On Jan. 4th, DOH issued a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) relating, in part, to cohorting of nursing home residents with COVID-19. LeadingAge NY has recently been receiving numerous questions from members regarding cohorting and provides a review of the guidance here.

Community Transmission Rates

With Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 “Community Levels” in the news, we remind members that health care providers should review CDC COVID-19 Community Transmission Rates when determining the frequency of routine staff testing. While Community Levels are important markers regarding the levels of precaution used in the community, health care facilities utilize Community Transmission Rates. The link to the Community Transmission Rates map on the CDC website is here. LeadingAge NY also posts the map on a weekly basis here (please refresh your browser to ensure that you are viewing the most recent posting).