COVID-19 Update #295

ARP VACCINATION TAX CREDIT PROGRAM TOOLKIT A refundable tax credit program is available for small to midsize companies with less than 500 employees through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. This program reimburses employers who award sick time to their employees to receive or recover from COVID-19 vaccinations. This is another available option to help with vaccination rates at no cost to the employer. Eligibility Criteria Tax credits are available to eligible employers that pay sick and family leave for time off between April 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2021. It can be used for both one-dose and two-dose vaccinations. However, arrangement for the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccinations is preferred due to no three week wait for the second dose and the sun-setting of this program on Sept. 30. Toolkit Overview To assist HFAM members interested in using this tax credit program, the Brighton Consulting Group created a toolkit of resources, see below. Included are a short video explaining the program and resources available, as well as links to sample documents and resources to assist members with the submission process. Resource Links Instructional video: Enter Passcode: vzUsG$6% This brief, 12-minute video featuring Jeff Steggerda of the Brighton Consulting Group provides a comprehensive overview of the tax credit program and instructions on how to use the resource documents available below to assist with the submission process. Sample ARP Worksheet 3: Credit for Qualified Sick and Family Leave Wages for Leave Taken After March 31, 2021 Sample ARP Form 941 for 2021: Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return Sample ARP Schedule B (Form 941): Report of Tax Liability for Semiweekly Schedule Depositors IRS ARP Reference Document: Employers are entitled to tax credits for providing paid leave to employees who take time off related to COVID-19 vaccinations – updated 7/28/21 Vaccination Program Credit Calculation Worksheet

Supply Chain Update Issues within the supply chain continue and is being further strained both domestically and globally, for all goods and services. Delays in availability and cost increases are having a major impact.   Review letter from Jim Boyle, Executive Vice President, Medline Industries, Inc. on steps the company has taken to address the supply chain concerns.

Reminder: Rapid Point-Of-Care (POC) Testing Supplies Request If your center needs to place a request for Rapid Point of Care POC testing supplies, please use this form from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). All Rapid POC Testing Supplies Requests are reviewed on a weekly basis. Therefore, we would encourage you to submit this request for Rapid POC Testing Supplies at least two weeks in advance of the date that you will need the supplies in your possession. Submission of a request later than two weeks in advance does not automatically result in your request being denied. Please note that this is a request, and submission of this request does not guarantee any allocation of Rapid POC Testing Supplies. If you have questions regarding submission of this request, you can contact mdh.rapidpoctest@maryland.gov.

POC Test Request Form

NHSN Seeking COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Information All National Healthcare Safety Network facility users should have received an email from NHSN detailing the importance of accurate and timely information on COVID-19 Vaccine supply. Read More

Maryland Department of Health Updates Quality Assessment FY 2022: Please see the Quality Assessment memorandum and Reporting Forms for FY 2022.  Electronic QA Form FY 2022 724 Electronic QA Form FY 2022 2920 Please note that the Quality Assessment requirements do not apply to facilities with less than 45 beds or facilities that are classified as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).   Medicare Coinsurance Worksheet: Click here for the Medicare Coinsurance Worksheet for services delivered between 7/1 and 12/31/2021.

Nursing Home Media Toolkit  Check out the Nursing Home Media Toolkit from the Maryland Department of Health. The password to access the materials is Vaccine2021. Please use the materials in this media toolkit to spread the word about vaccination with staff. You'll find flyers, ads, social media posts, videos, and posters.  Click Here to Access the Toolkit

The 2021 HFAM Conference “Together We Re-Imagine” will be held in person October 4 – 7, 2021 at the Maryland Live Hotel and Casino in Hanover, Maryland. Hundreds of long-term care leaders will connect, share best practices and discuss actionable insights on how we can reflect, reform, rebuild, and revolutionize quality care. You and your teams will not want to miss this opportunity as we come together again. Safety is our top priority. Please note that proof of vaccination will be required for attendance.  Visit the conference website to learn more and register.

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COVID-19 Resources What you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Maryland Department of Health Health Facilities Association of Maryland American Health Care Association

#Get Vaccinated With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the AHCA/NCAL Get Vaccinated campaign now has a dedicated website –getvaccinated.us – to help educate and encourage caregivers and staff at long-term care facilities to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The website includes credible information from medical professionals, public health officials, and scientists to help answer common questions about the vaccines among staff members and other individuals. #GetVaccinated Website

Did you miss an update? Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance from our federal and state partners.

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