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US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar extended the public health emergency (PHE) due to COVID-19 effective January 21, 2021. The PHE is issued in 90-day increments and is slated to expire in April 2021.

The PHE extension means:  

DMAS is preparing a memo to extend the state waivers affected by the PHE. We will relay that when it is finalized. 

HHS has rescinded its prior requirement that skilled nursing facilities report COVID-19 point-of-care (POC) test results to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). (See item 4 in this laboratory reporting guidance.) Positive cases of COVID-19 must still be reported through NHSN.

Please note that this does not eliminate the requirement that any provider using POC tests under a CLIA waiver must report their test results. It provides the flexibility to report those results through state and local public health departments or through NHSN. VDH is advising facilities to report these POC results via the COVID 19 POC Portal to meet the current CLIA POC requirements.

VDH has posted these CDC Pharmacy Partnership LTCF Vaccine Clinics: Lessons Learned from National Associations.

Remember to check the CVS and Walgreens Pharmacy Partnership webpages for updated information and FAQs on the COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Both organizations are updating these pages with new information.

Please remember to update your facility’s status in Virginia Healthcare Alerting and Status System (VHASS) at least Monday through Friday.

As COVID-19 cases continue to increase and have a resulting impact on hospital capacity, local health care coalitions and emergency managers continue to use VHASS as an important situational awareness tool. 

Millions of Americans are slated to receive a second Economic Impact Payment (EIP) as part of the recently passed and enacted Coronavirus bill. This follows the EIP that was distributed in 2020 as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These payments aim to support Americans and provide some financial relief.

It is important to note that CARES Act EIP requirements also apply to the EIPs in the most recent stimulus package, as well as any future payments. If you or someone you know serves as a representative payee for a Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiary, that designee is only responsible for managing Social Security or SSI benefits. The EIP is not an SSA benefit, and it belongs to the beneficiary. Representative payees should discuss the payment with the beneficiary, when possible. If the beneficiary requests access to the funds, they are obligated to provide it.

Learn more about EIPs, including how they’re being delivered to people with representative payees, at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau site. You can also learn more about these payments from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

AHCA/NCAL also recorded a webinar in 2020 focused on EIPs from the IRS and important facts for skilled nursing facilities, ICFs/IID, and assisted living centers to know on the use of them. A variety of resources from the Social Security Administration to the National Center on Elder Law and Rights are available at the end of the webinar.

You may also want to review this guidance we shared on the prior round of EIPs this summer.

DMAS’s LTSS Screening Connector webinars are held to facilitate better communication around the state regarding DMAS LTSS Screening laws, guidance, resources, and hot button issues. All staff involved in the LTSS Screening process are welcome to participate. Each month includes a Q&A) period to allow LTSS Screening Teams an opportunity to address current concerns.

Calls will be held on the following schedule. Please share this information with your LTSS screening teams.

Phone Bridge for audio only: (866) 692-4530

Access code for audio only: 178 911 7286

Phone Bridge for Audio only:  (866) 692-4530

Access code for audio only: 178 647 4119

Phone Bridge for Audio only: (866) 692-4530

Access code for audio only: 178 114 3413

Phone Bridge for Audio only: (866) 692-4530

Access code for audio only: 178 778 2864