Feb. 21st 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 Tues., Feb. 21st due to Presidents’ Day, 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
Governor Extends Workforce Shortage Executive Order to March
On Feb. 21st, Governor Hochul issued Executive Order (EO) 4.18 carrying forth workforce flexibilities for health care providers to March 23rd. Click here for more information.
State Outlines Plans for Medicaid Beneficiary Recertification; HHS Discusses PHE Unwind
After almost three years of Medicaid continuous coverage requirements, the December 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act requires states to restart Medicaid eligibility redeterminations beginning April 1st. States have 14 months to complete the process. New York State faces a major challenge in ensuring that the 9 million individuals in public health insurance programs do not lose their access to health insurance coverage during the process. That challenge was the topic of a roundtable discussion convened by the United Hospital Fund (UHF) on Feb. 16th that featured State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri and other key Department of Health (DOH) leaders, who outlined the State’s plans to meet it. Click here for more information about the UHF event, as well as information about a recent Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stakeholder meeting on the implications of the end of the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE).
Provider Relief Reporting Webinar Available
A recording of a recent webinar on Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural funding reporting requirements is now available. LeadingAge National hosted the session, during which CliftonLarsonAllen provided a refresher on how to report on PRF/ARP Rural funding, reviewed new reporting requirements and portal updates, and highlighted common audit findings related to PRF. The recording is available here, and the reporting requirements themselves can be accessed here. Providers who received PRF or ARP Rural funds between July 1st and Dec. 31, 2021 are required to report on how they used those funds by March 31, 2023.
Updated Vaccine Grants for LeadingAge Members Available Now
LeadingAge National has expanded its partnership with HHS and the We Can Do This campaign to provide up to $250,000 total in grant funding to LeadingAge members to support the rate of up-to-date vaccination status in aging services communities. Click here for more information.
Nursing Home Updates
Feb. 22nd National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be hosting a National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call tomorrow, Wed., Feb. 22nd, at 3 p.m. No agenda is available, but CMS encourages nursing home providers, facility staff, and resident advocates to attend. Registration is required and available here.
Affordable Housing/Independent Living Updates
LeadingAge National to Host “Medicaid Unwinding in Affordable Housing” Call
As the COVID-19 PHE unwinds, LeadingAge National will host a call for members to learn about the associated changes to Medicaid continuous enrollment and their potential impact on affordable housing residents.
Scheduled for Wed., Feb. 22nd at 1 p.m., the call will focus on information for Service Coordinators and others working with affordable housing residents. LeadingAge National staff will review the basics of the upcoming Medicaid coverage changes, what they mean for older adults receiving federal rental assistance, and resources for people working with affordable housing residents.
To register for the call, click here.