July 5th COVID-19 Update
New updates pertaining to the COVID-19 emergency continue to be announced by both the state and federal government on a regular basis. The latest developments for providers of long-term/post-acute care (LTPAC) and senior services are outlined 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., July 5th due to the July 4th holiday, 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
DOH Extends New York State Telehealth Survey for Consumers
The Department of Health (DOH) is extending its telehealth consumer survey to learn more about how it can improve upon telehealth services in New York. Many individuals took advantage of telehealth services during the pandemic and continue to do so. Please complete the survey to give the Department a good understanding of how this new modality of care is performing.
Survey questions relate to the kind of care people received, the ease and format in which it was/is delivered, how often people access telehealth care, demographic information regarding use and payer sources, and more.
Please note that this is for consumers, not providers of telehealth services. We urge members to share this with residents, caregivers, and families.
The survey will close on Aug. 1st.
DOH Issues Updated Vaccination Guidance
On July 1st, DOH issued updated general COVID-19 vaccination guidance for providers that includes several updates, most of which relate to infants and children being eligible for the vaccine.
Also of interest, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its COVID-19 Immunization Schedule, which provides a handy chart with all immunization schedules for all age populations, vaccination timing per brand, as well as specifics for immunocompromised individuals. The resource document also has a chart with vaccine product specifications, including packaging details, age indications, diluent, and dosage requirements.
Click here for more information.
Nursing Home and Adult Care Facility (ACF)/Assisted Living (AL) Updates
LeadingAge NY Seeks Member Input on Vaccination Offer Regs for ACFs and Nursing Homes, Submits Comments on PPE Stockpile Regs
LeadingAge NY submitted comments on proposed regulations governing nursing home personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpiles last week and seeks member input into comments on regulations requiring ACFs and nursing homes to offer or arrange for COVID-19 vaccines for residents and staff (the “vaccination offer regulation”). Both regulations were adopted on an emergency basis and are now proposed for permanent adoption. Although the State Register listed the deadline for comments as July 7th, we have been informed by DOH that the actual deadline is Aug. 8th. Click here for more information.
DOH Provides Guidance on Operation of Nursing Home Beauty Salons
In an email to LeadingAge NY on June 29th, DOH indicated that the November 2020 beauty salon guidance for nursing homes is no longer in effect and provided several principles for salon operations. Click here for more information.