Aug. 23rd 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 discussed 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 Aug. 22nd, 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
State Updates General Vaccination Guidance
Members should note updated vaccination guidance released by the State on Aug. 19th that recognizes the newly authorized Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. Click here for more information.
HHS Issues Roadmap for End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a roadmap for the eventual end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and the termination of the various waivers of regulatory requirements that have ensured continued access to care during the pandemic. Click here for more information.
Provider Relief Reports for First Half of 2021 Due Sept. 30th
The third reporting period for recipients of federal COVID-19 Provider Relief Funding (PRF) is in full swing. Members who received PRF distributions totaling more than $10,000 during the period Jan. 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 are required to report on the use of the funds by the end of September 2022. The time period is likely to include some Phase 3 General Distribution funding (which began in December 2020) and will include infection control quality improvement program funding for November 2020 and December 2020 performance for qualified nursing homes. Funding received during the first half of 2021 can be applied to allowable expenses incurred from Jan. 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022. Please note that due to the timing of the distributions, a number of providers may not need to file a report for this reporting period if they did not receive the threshold $10,000 in aggregate payments during the first half of 2021.
Nursing homes that qualified for performance-based Infection Control Quality Incentive Payments (QIP) would have received payments on or soon after Jan. 25th and/or Feb. 12, 2021. Nursing home providers should bear in mind that the terms and conditions related to use of infection control funding are more restrictive than those governing the use of General Distribution funding.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has recently redesigned its website, making it even easier to access the many reporting resources it makes available. The site now also indicates which reporting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been updated and contains many reporting resources, from training webinars to fact sheets to lost revenue guides to examples and worksheets.