July 11th 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.
Over the past three years, LeadingAge NY has convened weekly webinars on Mondays at 11 a.m. to address emerging questions on COVID-19. A recording of our most recent webinar, held on July 10th, is available here, and a list of the items shared by LeadingAge NY staff in the webinar chat can be accessed here. As announced on the July 10th webinar, effective immediately, LeadingAge NY will be moving to biweekly updates, held every other Monday at 11 a.m. The first of these updates, which will address general policy issues beyond COVID-19, will be held on July 24th. If you have questions for these webinars or would like the access information, please contact Jeff Diamond.
Nursing Home and Adult Care Facility (ACF)/Assisted Living (AL) Updates
Nursing Home PPE Stockpile Regulation Published for Comment and Permanent Adoption
The Department of Health (DOH) has renewed emergency regulations governing nursing home and hospital personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpiles, with a modest change for facilities once designated as COVID-19-only nursing homes, and proposed the revised regulations for comment and permanent adoption. Click here for more information.
DOH Issues Long-Awaited COVID-19 Questions and Answers for ACFs and Assisted Living
LeadingAge NY is pleased to report that DOH has issued long-awaited Questions and Answers regarding COVID-19 guidance for ACF and AL providers. This guidance provides relief from several requirements that were imposed at the height of the pandemic, while also offering suggestions for best practices. The questions touch on daily symptom monitoring, active screening, social distancing, communal gatherings, testing of residents upon return from visits, family notification, vaccination, in-services, and more. We are pleased to be able to finally provide these clarifications to members, which include some questions submitted by LeadingAge NY members.
State Files Two State Plan Amendments for ALP Funding
LeadingAge NY is pleased to report that the State has submitted Medicaid State Plan Amendments (SPAs) for the Assisted Living Program (ALP) Medicaid rate increase of 6.5 percent, which would be effective April 1, 2023, and an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Supplemental Payment for the Improve and Support the ALP Workforce initiative. While both are subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), we are pleased to see this step forward in getting needed funds to our ALP members. Click here for more information.