Greetings!
This message includes
- VDH guidance on how to prioritize the use of N-95 masks;
- an update on the nurse aide education program waiver;
- info on the latest updates to the VDH Long-Term Care Task Force webpage;
- a reminder about a webinar this afternoon on hurricane preparedness during the pandemic; and
- news of US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updates to FAQs with Medicaid, cost report and CHOW portal information.
Also, I wanted to remind you that on Thursday, August 13 at 3:00 pm AHCA will hold an all member call to provide more details about the upcoming Provider Relief Fund distributions. You must register for the call. |
|
Sincerely,
April
April Payne, LNHA
Vice President of Quality Improvement | Director of VCAL
Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living
|
|
VDH Guidance on Prioritization of N-95 Use
In response to questions about how to prioritize use of N-95 masks, VDH has shared the following:
Based on our guidance, in the case of a COVID-19 outbreak, facilities shall implement pre-established protocols for having health care professionals wear all recommended PPE (gown, gloves, eye protection, N-95 respirator or facemasks) for the care of all residents, regardless of presence of symptoms.
However, if there is a limited supply, facilities should prioritize the use of N-95s for:
- care of COVID-19 patients/residents;
- symptomatic patients/residents awaiting testing (suspected cases, PUI), new admissions or readmissions when COVID-19 status is unknown; and
- during any aerosol-generating procedures for all patients/residents, including nebulizer therapy, CPAP/BiPAP.
More information can be found on these CDC webpages:
As a reminder, N-95s should be used only by staff who have been fit-tested and trained in their use.
- To request an N-95 test kit, it is advised that nursing homes work with regional coalitions and assisted living facilities start first by reaching out to their Regional DSS POC.
- VDH is also providing fit-testing train-the-trainer training. Please visit the following link to view and register for future training sessions.
Although OSHA has waived the requirement for the annual fit-test, an initial fit-test with the same respirator is still required.
|
|
Nurse Aide Education Program Waiver Update
The Board of Nursing has issued an additional waiver on August 10, 2020 to for the following Nurse Aide Education Program.
18VAC90-26-20. Establishing and Maintaining a Nurse Aide Education Program.
- Demonstrate evidence of compliance with the following essential elements:
e. Skills training experience in a nursing facility that has not been subject to penalty or penalties as provided in 42 CFR 483.151(b)(2) (Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation and Paid Feeding Assistants, revised October 1, 2013 edition) in the past two years. The foregoing shall not apply to a nursing facility that has received a waiver from the state survey agency in accordance with federal law.
Purpose of the August 10, 2020 Waiver
The waiver provides a suspension for current and incoming nurse aide students effective August 10, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
The suspension of this regulation enables programs to complete the 40-hour direct client care training of enrolled students in alternate clinical sites to include licensed hospitals, hospice facilities, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and dementia care units. Regulations do not provide for completion of the 40 hours in the laboratory setting.
Please note: If this training occurs in a nursing facility, the facility shall not be subject to a penalty or penalties as provided in 42 CFR 483.151(b)(2). Acceptable alternate sites would include licensed hospitals, hospice facilities, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and dementia care units.
Reminder of the March 19, 2020 Waivers
The waivers issued March 19, 2020 of 18VAC90-26-30(C & D) remain in effect. These waived the requirement that other instructional personnel who assist the primary instructor in providing classroom instruction be limited to registered nurses or licensed practical nurses and the requirement that all instructional personnel must demonstrate competence to teach adults.
|
|
VDH Long Term Care Task Force Webpage Updates
The Long-Term Care Task Force website has undergone a slight redesign to make resources easier to locate. VDH has added links to numerous DSS resources like the COVID-19 Mitigation Plan for Assisted Living Facilities and the tips and best practices for communal activities, dining, transportation, barber/cosmetology services, and visitors.
|
|
Webinar Today: LTC Hurricane Preparedness
in a COVID-19 Environment
As a reminder, today VDH and the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association are hosting a webinar to discuss Virginia’s Long Term Care Mutual Aid Plan (LTC MAP) and preparing for hurricane season during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics to be addressed include sheltering in place, evacuations, and medical surge.
August 12, 2020 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm
|
|
HHS Updates FAQs with Medicaid,
Cost Report, and CHOW Information
On August 11, HHS changed terminology describing various allocations and added FAQs on availability of Medicaid awards. AHCA/NCAL has summarized the changes in this post.
Change of Ownership (CHOW) Update
The Phase 2 – General Distribution web portal for Medicaid, CHOW, and Phase 1 – General Distribution awardees who missed the June 3 cut off for additional funding is up but still is not active. AHCA/NCAL will provide information as soon as the portal is operational. The information below was supplied earlier in the week.
CHOW Portal Information
As of August 10, providers who underwent a Change of Ownership (CHOW) and providers who missed the June 3, 2020 deadline to apply for additional funding equal to 2 percent of their total patient care revenue from the $20 billion portion of the $50 billion Phase 1 General Distribution may submit their application for possible funds by August 28, 2020. This deadline aligns with the extended deadline for other eligible Phase 2 providers, such as Medicaid. At the initial launch, the portal did not appear to be fully operational.
Latest Eligible Providers for Phase 2 General Distribution Funding
- Providers who were ineligible for the Phase 1 General Distribution because:
- They underwent a change in ownership in calendar year 2019 or 2020 under Medicare Part A; and
- Did not have Medicare Fee-For-Service revenue in 2019.
- Providers who received a payment under Phase 1 General Distribution but:
- Missed the June 3 deadline to submit revenue information – including many Medicaid providers with low Medicare revenues that assumed they were ineligible for additional distribution targeted at Medicare providers or had planned to apply for a Medicaid and CHIP specific distribution; or
- Did not receive Phase 1 General Distribution payments totaling approximately 2 percent of their annual patient revenue.
- Providers who previously received Phase 1 General Distribution payment(s) but rejected and returned the funds and are now interested in reapplying.
HHS notes eligible providers will only receive funding of up to 2 percent of their reported total revenue from patient care. Therefore, for providers who have already received a Phase 1 General Distribution payment from HHS, the previous amount received and kept will be taken into account when determining the eligible amount for Phase 2 General Distribution payment. All payment recipients must accept HHS's terms and conditions and may be subject to auditing to ensure the data provided to HHS for payment calculation are accurate.
HHS has been hosting a series of informational webinars to address questions and support providers through the application process. The next provider and provider organization webinar will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2020.
|
|
Upcoming Events
August 19, 2020 | 2:00 pm
August 25, 2020 | 1:00 pm
August 26, 2020 | 2:00 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
