VHCA-VCAL | CMS Vaccine Mandate Updates and Upcoming Webinars

Greetings!

This message includes:

CMS vaccine mandate info and
upcoming webinars.

Sincerely,

April Payne, MBA, LNHA

Chief Quality & Regulatory Affairs Officer

Executive Director of VCAL

Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living

Act Now to Prepare for the CMS Vaccine Mandate

The deadlines for providers to meet the CMS Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule (IFR) on vaccination mandates are fast approaching.

Skilled Nursing Facilities, Nursing Facilities, and ICF-IIDs must establish a policy ensuring that all eligible staff be vaccinated for COVID-19 or request a medical or religious exemption by the following deadlines:

Phase 1 – December 6, 2021: Staff must have received at least the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
Phase 2 – January 4, 2022: Staff must be fully vaccinated, except staff who have been granted exemptions, or those whom COVID-19 vaccination must be temporarily delayed as recommended by the CDC due to clinical precautions and considerations.

To help providers comply with this requirement, AHCA has developed a template policy and procedures on the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. In addition, AHCA hosted a member-only webinar on Monday, November 22 on religious and medical exemptions. A recording of this webinar will be available soon.

CMS has also recently updated its Frequently Asked Questions on the IRF, which AHCA recommends providers review.

Finally, providers are encouraged to make their voices heard with CMS regarding this vaccine rule. AHCA has set up an action center with guidance for members to submit their feedback directly to CMS. Comments must be submitted by January 4, 2022.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.