The federal government has launched two new initiatives, “Test to Treat” and “Long-Term Care Pharmacy Program,” to create an allocation of oral antiviral medications for utilization in vulnerable populations.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is inviting health care organizations, local and Tribal health departments, nonprofits, and government agencies to
fill out a statewide survey to request no-cost surplus supplies from the DHS warehouse.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is inviting health care organizations, local and Tribal health departments, nonprofits, and government agencies to
fill out a statewide survey to request no-cost surplus supplies from the DHS warehouse.
Read More
The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) will host a webinar on
Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET, providing an overview of important updates to the definition of long term care reporting for COVID-19 vaccines.
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The National Healthcare Safety Network is changing the definition of "up to date" for COVID-19 vaccine reporting in long term care beginning Quarter 2 of 2024 (week of April 1, 2024). This change, which reflects the
latest guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to ensure the most effective vaccine protection for individuals, especially those aged 65 years and older.
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The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) issued updated
guidance for respiratory viruses in community settings.
The CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance is intended for a general audience and community settings, including assisted living communities. It does not apply to health care settings, including nursing homes. Read More
Superior Health Quality Alliance shared a variety of useful resources for healthcare facilities and providers. These resources include clarification on the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) annual survey, COVID-19 testing kits for long term care and assisted living facilities, and much more. We encourage all healthcare providers and facilities to take advantage of these valuable resources.
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Superior Health Quality Alliance shared a variety of useful resources for healthcare facilities and providers. These resources include clarification on the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) annual survey, COVID-19 testing kits for long term care and assisted living facilities, and much more. We encourage all healthcare providers and facilities to take advantage of these valuable resources.
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Unfortunately, in Wisconsin, we are continuing to see COVID infections increase, not only in the population at large but also in our facilities. Our friends and colleagues from the DON Council recently learned that the federal department of Health and Human Services (HHS) still has a limited number of
free COVID test kits available.
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As you know and indeed may be experiencing, Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 infection rates are rising across Wisconsin, Please take the time and share with appropriate staff this communication from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
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Superior Health Quality Alliance shares multiple resources to improve quality of care in 2024.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is inviting health care organizations,
including skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, to complete a survey to request no-cost surplus supplies from the DHS warehouse. The DHS notice is set forth below in its entirety including the link to the survey.
Response deadline is Monday, November 13th at 4:00 pm Central Time. Read More
As we gear up for cold and flu season, the importance of vaccination has never been more evident. Especially as just this week, the federal government approved a new,
updated COVID vaccine. We are excited to announce AHCA/NCAL’s
2023 #GetVaccinated Provider Toolkit which will assist you in ensuring the health and well-being of residents and staff in long term care.
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As members may have read and/or experienced, COVID cases are on the rise around the country. Given this concerning information, we followed up with the Department of Health Services, COVID-19 Therapeutics Team to confirm the process for obtaining Paxlovid and other anti-virals and to ensure that there was amply supply within Wisconsin. The Therapeutics Team has replied to Rick Abrams, WHCA/WiCAL CEO.
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The Crnich Research Team at the University of Wisconsin – Madison is looking to partner with skilled nursing facilities on an infectious disease study that currently studies how COVID-19 spreads within nursing homes and will eventually focus on other types of transmissible respiratory infections like influenza and RSV. They are looking for interested facilities within a 60-minute drive from Madison. Nursing homes that choose to participate will receive a modest contribution to the facility education/development fund.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health’s Healthcare-Associated Infections Prevention Program has made available a limited supply of N95 Fit Testing Kits. The information that follows provides direction on how to request the kits. A limited supply is available. Orders will be filled on a first come – first served basis.
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Our national affiliate, American Health Care Association/National Centers for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), advises that skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers with active CLIA waivers remain eligible to receive
free monthly shipments of Abbott BinaxNOW over the counter COVID-19 test kits from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at least until the end of 2023.
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Wisconsin’s Quality Improvement Organization,
Superior Health Quality Alliance/Metastar, continues to be a valuable
and free resource to members. Superior will be offering a series of “office hour” sessions focused on National Health Safety Network (NHSN) reporting post-Public Health Emergency. Additionally,
Navigator can be a partner to supply you with COVID testing and related supplies.
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Effective May 11, 2023, the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ended. The use of source control (masking) is no longer tied to community transmission levels. To help clarify when source control is appropriate in health care settings, Superior Health Quality Alliance developed this
Source Control Assessment: Guide for Mask Use in Health Care Settings. Your health care setting can use this resource when making decisions about source control for residents, patients, visitors and health care workers.
Read More
On May 1, CMS released a new regulatory memo
QSO-23-13-ALL entitled “Guidance for Expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023.” The memo outlines each waiver CMS put into place during COVID-19 and how the end of the PHE will affect those waivers. Additionally, the memo outlined timelines for certain regulatory requirements issued through the PHE.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is announcing the step-down of the COVID-19 Testing Support for Long-Term Care Facilities. Thank you for your partnership in providing vital testing services to residents and staff throughout Wisconsin.
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WHCA/WiCAL is working with the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin to maximize Influenza and COVID 19 booster vaccination. Members of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin have offered to work with WHCA/WiCAL members to schedule influenza and COVID 19 clinics in your facilities.
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For nursing home providers, CMS released revised survey/enforcement guidance meant to align with the new CDC guidance. However, AL providers have been looking for additional clarification from the state on how the new guidance impacted AL facilities' abilities to adjust or relax staff masking policy.
Read More
On October, 26, 2022, CMS released QSO 23-02 replaces several previous QSOs and modifies the Scope and Severity of non-compliance. This QSO replaces from QSO 22-07-ALL Revised, QSO 22-09-ALL Revised, and QSO 22-11-ALL Revised. The guidance applies to all states.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is inviting health care organizations, local and tribal health departments, nonprofits, and government agencies to fill out a statewide survey to request surplus supplies from the DHS Warehouse.
Read More
WHCA/WiCAL is working with the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin to maximize Influenza and COVID 19 booster vaccination.
Read More
For nursing home providers, CMS released revised survey/enforcement guidance meant to align with the new CDC guidance. However, AL providers have been looking for additional clarification from the state on how the new guidance impacted AL facilities' abilities to adjust or relax staff masking policy.
Read More
On October, 26, 2022, CMS released QSO 23-02 replaces several previous QSOs and modifies the Scope and Severity of non-compliance. This QSO replaces from QSO 22-07-ALL Revised, QSO 22-09-ALL Revised, and QSO 22-11-ALL Revised. The guidance applies to all states.
Read More
On October, 26, 2022, CMS released QSO 23-02 replaces several previous QSOs and modifies the Scope and Severity of non-compliance. This QSO replaces from QSO 22-07-ALL Revised, QSO 22-09-ALL Revised, and QSO 22-11-ALL Revised. The guidance applies to all states.
Read More
For nursing home providers, CMS released revised survey/enforcement guidance meant to align with the new CDC guidance. However, AL providers have been looking for additional clarification from the state on how the new guidance impacted AL facilities' abilities to adjust or relax staff masking policy.
Read More
WHCA/WiCAL is working with the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin to maximize Influenza and COVID 19 booster vaccination.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is inviting health care organizations, local and tribal health departments, nonprofits, and government agencies to fill out a statewide survey to request surplus supplies from the DHS Warehouse.
Read More
If your Wisconsin facility has former Emergency Nurse Aides who were not able to be placed on the state's nurse aide registry by the October 7 deadline due to testing capacity issues, at this point (unless you've already secured a waiver as described below), those individuals should not be working in the facility under the scope of a nurse aide. This article includes next steps to help ensure those individuals can return to their nurse aide role.
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WHCA/WiCAL and AHCA/NCAL are continuing to advocate for federal policymakers to reinstate critical federal waivers which provided additional tools and flexibilities for providers to address ongoing caregiver shortages.
Read More
In a positive development, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has rescinded
QSO-22-25-CLIA, a recent memo which had eliminated the use of SARS-CoV-2 tests outside of the test’s instructions for use.
Read More
CMS ended the section of the 1135 waiver that permitted the employment of temporary and emergency nurse aides on June 6, ending the temporary nurse aide program in Wisconsin on June 6 and giving emergency nurse aides four months to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA), as dictated in statute.
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At the start of the pandemic, some but not all of the SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care (POC) Antigen (Ag) tests were limited to use on individuals who are symptomatic. Thus, in December 2020, CMS released a memo saying it would use enforcement discretion to allow providers with CLIA Certificate of Waiver to use these tests outside of the FDA approved manufacturer’s use. CMS has now rescinded this memo as many POC Ag tests are now approved for both symptomatic patients AND serial screening of asymptomatic patients.
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Senior members of the AHCA Quality & Regulatory team reviewed recent updates to COVID-19 guidance for nursing homes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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Senior members of the AHCA Quality & Regulatory team will review recent updates to COVID-19 guidance for nursing homes from the CMS and CDC.
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On Friday morning, DHS announced that personal protective equipment (PPE) including N95 respirators, KN95 masks, gowns, gloves, coveralls, respirator fit testing kits, and additional medical supplies are available to health care providers, including skilled nursing facilities, now.
Read More
Approximately $14.5 billion of Phase 4 Payments has been distributed to more than 89,000 providers and 98 percent of applications have been processed. To date, more than $8 billion has been distributed through ARP Rural Payments and 99% of applications have been processed. Providers who received Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021, are required to report in RP3.
The deadline for providers to submit a report is September 30, 2022, at 11:59 PM ET. Read More
On Friday morning, DHS announced that personal protective equipment (PPE) including N95 respirators, KN95 masks, gowns, gloves, coveralls, respirator fit testing kits, and additional medical supplies are available to health care providers, including skilled nursing facilities, now.
Read More
Approximately $14.5 billion of Phase 4 Payments has been distributed to more than 89,000 providers and 98 percent of applications have been processed. To date, more than $8 billion has been distributed through ARP Rural Payments and 99% of applications have been processed. Providers who received Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021, are required to report in RP3.
The deadline for providers to submit a report is September 30, 2022, at 11:59 PM ET. Read More
Approximately $14.5 billion of Phase 4 Payments has been distributed to more than 89,000 providers and 98 percent of applications have been processed. To date, more than $8 billion has been distributed through ARP Rural Payments and 99% of applications have been processed. Providers who received Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021, are required to report in RP3.
The deadline for providers to submit a report is September 30, 2022, at 11:59 PM ET. Read More
On Friday morning, DHS announced that personal protective equipment (PPE) including N95 respirators, KN95 masks, gowns, gloves, coveralls, respirator fit testing kits, and additional medical supplies are available to health care providers, including skilled nursing facilities, now.
Read More
On Friday morning, DHS announced that personal protective equipment (PPE) including N95 respirators, KN95 masks, gowns, gloves, coveralls, respirator fit testing kits, and additional medical supplies are available to health care providers, including skilled nursing facilities, now.
Read More
Approximately $14.5 billion of Phase 4 Payments has been distributed to more than 89,000 providers and 98 percent of applications have been processed. To date, more than $8 billion has been distributed through ARP Rural Payments and 99% of applications have been processed. Providers who received Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021, are required to report in RP3.
The deadline for providers to submit a report is September 30, 2022, at 11:59 PM ET. Read More
The updated, or bivalent boosters, target the most recent Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, that are more contagious and more resistant than earlier strains of Omicron. The recommendations also confirmed that co-administration of the bivalent and influenza vaccine are allowed without contraindications. Therefore, providers should offer both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines during vaccine clinics if a person is eligible for both.
Read More
Approximately $14.5 billion of Phase 4 Payments has been distributed to more than 89,000 providers and 98 percent of applications have been processed. To date, more than $8 billion has been distributed through ARP Rural Payments and 99% of applications have been processed.
Read More
Assisted living centers now have access to free COVID-19 testing for their staff and residents through December 31, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Operation Expanded Testing (OpET) program expanded access to free testing nationwide to now include assisted living communities, which previously targeted schools, shelters, and correctional facilities.
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Assisted living centers now have access to free COVID-19 testing for their staff and residents through December 31, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Operation Expanded Testing (OpET) program expanded access to free testing nationwide to now include assisted living communities, which previously targeted schools, shelters, and correctional facilities.
Read More
Approximately $14.5 billion of Phase 4 Payments has been distributed to more than 89,000 providers and 98 percent of applications have been processed. To date, more than $8 billion has been distributed through ARP Rural Payments and 99% of applications have been processed.
Read More
Assisted living centers now have access to free COVID-19 testing for their staff and residents through December 31, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Operation Expanded Testing (OpET) program expanded access to free testing nationwide to now include assisted living communities, which previously targeted schools, shelters, and correctional facilities.
Read More
Approximately $14.5 billion of Phase 4 Payments has been distributed to more than 89,000 providers and 98 percent of applications have been processed. To date, more than $8 billion has been distributed through ARP Rural Payments and 99% of applications have been processed.
Read More
In this message, AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Mark Parkinson discusses the urgent need for the CDC to update its COVID 19 guidance to benefit our residents’ quality of life and to reduce the challenges that the current state of guidance is causing in retaining current staff and attracting new staff.
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Approximately $14.5 billion of Phase 4 Payments has been distributed to more than 89,000 providers and 98 percent of applications have been processed. To date, more than $8 billion has been distributed through ARP Rural Payments and 99% of applications have been processed.
Read More
On upcoming nursing home surveys conducted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), you may be asked to complete a short survey asking if your nursing home has nursing protocols for COVID antiviral administration and physician protocols for antiviral prescribing.
Read More
On upcoming nursing home surveys conducted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), you may be asked to complete a short survey asking if your nursing home has nursing protocols for COVID antiviral administration and physician protocols for antiviral prescribing.
Read More
The
National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has updated the Therapeutics Pathway based on provider feedback on how to make enhancements to this module and provide some reporting relief.
Read More
On upcoming nursing home surveys conducted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), you may be asked to complete a short survey asking if your nursing home has nursing protocols for COVID antiviral administration and physician protocols for antiviral prescribing.
Read More
The
National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has updated the Therapeutics Pathway based on provider feedback on how to make enhancements to this module and provide some reporting relief.
Read More
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra today renewed the declaration that a
public health emergency exists. This was effective July 15, 2022, and will continue for 90 days pursuant to federal law.
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U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra today renewed the declaration that a
public health emergency exists. This is effective July 15, 2022, and will continue for 90 days pursuant to federal law.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently provided an update about the Infection Prevention and Infrastructure Matching Grant. According to DHS, they received over 1,000 applications from nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of LTCFs with more than $13 million requested in reimbursement. These requests exceeded the approximately $4.8 million granted to DHS by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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The surveyor vaccine requirement lasted less than six months. Nursing facility staff are still required to comply with CMS's vaccination mandate.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently provided an update about the Infection Prevention and Infrastructure Matching Grant. According to DHS, they received over 1,000 applications from nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of LTCFs with more than $13 million requested in reimbursement. These requests exceeded the approximately $4.8 million granted to DHS by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently provided an update about the Infection Prevention and Infrastructure Matching Grant. According to DHS, they received over 1,000 applications from nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of LTCFs with more than $13 million requested in reimbursement. These requests exceeded the approximately $4.8 million granted to DHS by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Read More
Surveyors will continue to survey for compliance with the staff vaccination requirement for Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers during initial and recertification surveys. However, again, for complaint surveys, surveyors will now only review vaccine mandate compliance in response to complaints alleging non-compliance with this requirement.
Read More
DHS recently announced that they have expanded their supply of antigen tests to include
OnGo rapid antigen tests. Please note that future orders placed for rapid antigen tests may be fulfilled with OnGo. You will be notified via email when your antigen order is filled with OnGo tests. Distribution is anticipated to start within the next week.
Read More
Surveyors will continue to survey for compliance with the staff vaccination requirement for Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers during initial and recertification surveys. However, again, for complaint surveys, surveyors will now only review vaccine mandate compliance in response to complaints alleging non-compliance with this requirement.
Read More
As cases of COVID-19 continue to rise throughout the country, it’s important that long term care facilities and communities encourage staff and residents to stay up to date on their vaccination status.
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Assisted living providers and stakeholders are invited to attend the Assisted Living Forum on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. The Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) will provide information on several topics, including regulatory updates, Wisconsin Community-Based Care and Treatment Training Registry updates, and additional information related to COVID-19.
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Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this webinar, the DQA will provide information and updates related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities.
Read More
Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this webinar, the DQA will provide information and updates related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities.
Read More
The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) recently announced various revisions to the COVID-19 module pathways.
Read More
DHS recently announced that they have expanded their supply of antigen tests to include
OnGo rapid antigen tests. Please note that future orders placed for rapid antigen tests may be fulfilled with OnGo. You will be notified via email when your antigen order is filled with OnGo tests. Distribution is anticipated to start within the next week.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
Read More
DHS recently announced that they have expanded their supply of antigen tests to include
OnGo rapid antigen tests. Please note that future orders placed for rapid antigen tests may be fulfilled with OnGo. You will be notified via email when your antigen order is filled with OnGo tests. Distribution is anticipated to start within the next week.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
Read More
DHS recently announced that they have expanded their supply of antigen tests to include
OnGo rapid antigen tests. Please note that future orders placed for rapid antigen tests may be fulfilled with OnGo. You will be notified via email when your antigen order is filled with OnGo tests. Distribution is anticipated to start within the next week.
Read More
Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
Read More
DHS recently announced that they have expanded their supply of antigen tests to include
OnGo rapid antigen tests. Please note that future orders placed for rapid antigen tests may be fulfilled with OnGo. You will be notified via email when your antigen order is filled with OnGo tests. Distribution is anticipated to start within the next week.
Read More
DHS recently announced that they have expanded their supply of antigen tests to include
OnGo rapid antigen tests. Please note that future orders placed for rapid antigen tests may be fulfilled with OnGo. You will be notified via email when your antigen order is filled with OnGo tests. Distribution is anticipated to start within the next week.
Read More
Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
Skilled nursing facilities that participate in the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP) must have the weekly health care personnel COVID-19 vaccination summary data entered into the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
by May 16, 2022 for the 2021 Quarter 4 (October 1 – December 31, 2021).
Read More
Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of
QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Provider Relief Fund (PRF)
Reporting Portal is open for providers who need to report the use of PRF funds in Reporting Period 2 (RP2).
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
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A
review of scientific research by leading academic experts in the field found that community spread was the primary driver of COVID-19 outbreaks in long term care facilities. The review examined 36 different studies, and the final analysis was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The paper supports
prior findings that showed that the size and location of a facility were the strongest and most consistent predictors of COVID-19 outcomes, especially if the facility was located in an area with high COVID-19 rates.
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced recently that it has revised two QSO memos, affecting COVID guidance for both visitation and testing policies.
Read More
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Provider Relief Fund (PRF)
Reporting Portal is open for providers who need to report the use of PRF funds in Reporting Period 2 (RP2).
Read More
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) sent a
letter earlier this week to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to request an extension of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration, which is set to expire in a few weeks, so that long term and post-acute care providers can continue to offer the most efficient and effective care possible to our nation’s most vulnerable population.
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The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced it is making more than $413 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 General Distribution payments to more than 3,600 providers across the country this week
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The federal government has launched two new initiatives, “Test to Treat” and “Long-Term Care Pharmacy Program,” to create an allocation of oral antiviral medications for utilization in vulnerable populations.
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The federal government has launched two new initiatives, “Test to Treat” and “Long-Term Care Pharmacy Program,” to create an allocation of oral antiviral medications for utilization in vulnerable populations.
Read More
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Provider Relief Fund (PRF)
Reporting Portal is open for providers who need to report the use of PRF funds in Reporting Period 2 (RP2).
Read More
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last week that it has revised two QSO memos, affecting COVID guidance for both visitation and testing policies.
Read More
A
review of scientific research by leading academic experts in the field found that community spread was the primary driver of COVID-19 outbreaks in long term care facilities. The review examined 36 different studies, and the final analysis was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The paper supports
prior findings that showed that the size and location of a facility were the strongest and most consistent predictors of COVID-19 outcomes, especially if the facility was located in an area with high COVID-19 rates.
Read More
The federal government has launched two new initiatives, “Test to Treat” and “Long-Term Care Pharmacy Program,” to create an allocation of oral antiviral medications for utilization in vulnerable populations.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has authorized the use of federal Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment funds so federally certified nursing homes may purchase portable fans and portable room air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA, H-13 or -14) filters to increase or improve air quality.
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The federal public health emergency (PHE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic will likely continue into mid-July, according to DHS Assistant Administrator for Benefit and Service Delivery, Curtis Cunningham.
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The federal public health emergency (PHE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic will likely continue into mid-July, according to DHS Assistant Administrator for Benefit and Service Delivery, Curtis Cunningham.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a
summary document for interim clinical considerations for the use of COVID-19 vaccines that are currently authorized or approved in the United States.
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will be holding a National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call on Thursday, March 10th at 2:00 p.m. CST.
Read More
The U.S. Department of Labor
announced its effort for short-term “highly focused inspections” and enforcement in hospitals and nursing care facilities while they work to finalize a permanent healthcare standard. These inspections will be focused on protections for workers against COVID-19 hazards, and will be taking place from March 9th through June 9th of 2022.
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The recording to last Friday's AHC/NCAL member webinar detailing President Biden’s proposals for nursing homes and the Association’s response is
now available. Read More
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has authorized the use of federal Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment funds so federally certified nursing homes may purchase portable fans and portable room air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA, H-13 or -14) filters to increase or improve air quality.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
Join President & CEO Mark Parkinson and the AHCA/NCAL team for a member webinar this
Friday, March 4 at 12:00 PM CST to discuss the details of President Biden’s proposals for nursing homes presented during the State of the Union address and the Association’s response.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning people not to use certain ACON Laboratories COVID-19 tests. People should not use the ACON Laboratories test named “Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Self-Testing)”. This test has not been authorized, cleared, or approved by the FDA for distribution or use in the United States. The FDA is concerned about the risk of false results when using this unauthorized test.
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An AHCA/NCAL-led workforce-related coalition that represents thousands of health and long-term care services and supports providers and stakeholders that care for those most in need across the country recently sent letters to the members of Congress in the Senate and House of Representatives that introduced the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Improvement Act (S. 3611/H.R. 5963)
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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) wants to make it easy for nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities to track and report COVID-19 vaccination information.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced recently that they have changed the metrics used to determine personal and community COVID-19 prevention measures based on community spread. It is important to note that this change
does not apply in health care settings because the consequences of spread and risk of triggering outbreaks is greater.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has authorized the use of federal Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment funds so federally certified nursing homes may purchase portable fans and portable room air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA, H-13 or -14) filters to increase or improve air quality.
Read More
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is making more than $560 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 General Distribution payments this week. Providers should have received an email notification on Thursday, February 24, if their application was among those processed in this latest batch.
Read More
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) sent a
letter to Congressional leadership earlier this week thanking them for their continued support of long term care residents and staff and urging them to take additional steps to ensure the safety and protection of America’s most vulnerable.
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The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is making more than $560 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 General Distribution payments this week. Providers should have received an email notification yesterday, Thursday, February 24, if their application was among those processed in this latest batch.
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WHCA/WiCAL staff met with DQA staff for our monthly meeting on Thursday, February 17
th. This article will overview several important things that members need to know coming out of the meeting.
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Last week, the Bureau of Assisted Living sent out guidance on using staff who are COVID-19 positive.
Read More
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has authorized the use of federal Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment funds so federally certified nursing homes may purchase portable fans and portable room air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA, H-13 or -14) filters to increase or improve air quality.
Read More
According to a bulletin sent out last week, DHS has procured a supply of iHealth rapid antigen tests. Please note, future orders placed for BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests might be fulfilled with iHealth tests. You will be notified via email when your antigen order is filled with iHealth tests. They anticipated beginning to distribute these tests this week.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
The
Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal opened on January 1, 2022 for Reporting Period 2 (RP2), which is the first time providers will be reporting on Nursing Home Infection Control (NHIC) Distribution payments. Providers required to report in RP2 must do so by March 31, 2022 at 10:59 PM CST.
Read More
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued memo
QSO-22-10-ALL to all State Survey Agency Directors, requiring onsite surveyors - including CLIA and Life Safety surveyors - to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an acceptable medical or religious exemption. Surveyors who are not fully vaccinated should not participate as part of the onsite survey team performing federal oversight of certified providers and suppliers (including accreditation surveys performed under an AO’s deeming authority).
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a revised memo applying to all ICFs/IID providers titled,
COVID-19 Focused Infection Control Survey Tool for Acute and Continuing Care Providers and Suppliers (QSO-21-08-NLTC REVISED).
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted a
second edition of the
COVID-19 Public Reporting Tip Sheet. This resource will help providers understand CMS’ public reporting approach to the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) to account for CMS quality data submissions that were either optional or excepted from public reporting due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).
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According to a bulletin sent out last week, DHS has procured a supply of iHealth rapid antigen tests. Please note, future orders placed for BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests might be fulfilled with iHealth tests. You will be notified via email when your antigen order is filled with iHealth tests. They anticipated beginning to distribute these tests this week.
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Facilities are not required to follow all the precautions listed by CMS in the QSO memo. However, they should be intentional about establishing appropriate policies around additional precautions and take a layered approach based on risk of COVID-19 transmission to residents they serve.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued
guidance to health care providers on civil rights protections for people with disabilities. The guidance, issued by HHS’ Office for Civil Rights, makes clear that in light of the continuing public health emergency, when resources can be scarce, it is vital that individuals with disabilities are not prevented from receiving needed health care benefits and services. This violates federal civil rights laws.
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an updated version of the
Nursing Home Visitation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated two health care infection prevention and control guidance documents.
Read More
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an updated version of the
Nursing Home Visitation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Read More
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released an additional $2 billion in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 General Distribution payments to more than 7,600 providers across the country this week. These payments are in addition to the nearly $9 billion in funding that was already released in December 2021.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued memo
QSO-22-10-ALL to all State Survey Agencies, requiring onsite surveyors - including CLIA and Life Safety surveyors - to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an acceptable medical or religious exemption.
Read More
As was reported
recently, CMS issued
QSO 22-07-ALL, which outlines the staff vaccination rules for skilled nursing facilities and that the
surveyor training slides were available.
Read More
As was reported
last week, CMS issued
QSO 22-07-ALL, which outlines the staff vaccination rules for skilled nursing facilities and that the
surveyor training slides were available.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
This week, nearly 200 members of the House of Representatives - both Democrats and Republicans - co-signed a letter to the Biden Administration seeking additional scrutiny of staffing agencies during the pandemic to determine if agencies are participating in anticompetitive activity and/or violating consumer protection laws.
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued memo
QSO-22-10-ALL to all State Survey Agencies, requiring onsite surveyors - including CLIA and Life Safety surveyors - to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an acceptable medical or religious exemption.
Read More
AHCA/NCAL recently announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be shipping an additional five million tests over the next five weeks. The shipments will be in addition to the existing Abbott BinaxNOW shipments.
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AHCA/NCAL has been working with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the federal government to encourage hospitals to administer the booster shot to eligible individuals prior to discharge to long term care facilities.
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Occupational health and safety experts from the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene are offering free online COVID-19 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) RPP and qualitative fit testing training in February.
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The Wisconsin Medicaid reimbursement rate for home and community-based services (HCBS) will
go up by 5% effective January 1, 2022, through March 31, 2024. The increase comes from federal funding authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Family Care HCBS providers will benefit from these increased rates.
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On Thursday, January 20, Rick Abrams, CEO, Jim Stoa, Director of Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs, and Pat Boyer, Director of Quality Advancement & Education participated along in the DQA/Nursing Home Provider Community Monthly meeting.
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As was reported last week, DHS was notified on Tuesday, January 11, by Abbott of its decision on January 7 to extend by three months the expiration date for certain BinaxNow antigen rapid test kits.
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On Friday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the
declaration that a public health emergency exists. This is effective January 16, 2022 and will continue for 90 days pursuant to federal law.
Read More
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the
Nursing Home Visitation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to provide clarification to
recent visitation guidance.
Read More
According to a news bulletin from the Department of Health Services, long-term care facilities, including both nursing homes and assisted living facilities, can request BinaxNOW tests through the federal government to help meet antigen testing needs.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
Attention: nursing home providers who are currently under a two-year Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) prohibition - there is a new opportunity for you to receive a temporary waiver from the two-year prohibition, potentially allowing your facility to serve as a site for training. Please note: as with the traditional NATCEP prohibition waiver, a granted waiver would allow a nurse aide training program to be held in, but not by, a nursing facility within that two-year period.
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The U.S. Supreme Court has stayed the preliminary injunctions against enforcement of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) interim final rule. This means CMS can enforce its vaccine mandate in states previously exempted due to the stay, with the exception of Texas.
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Attention: nursing home providers who are currently under a two-year Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) prohibition - there is a new opportunity for you to receive a temporary waiver from the two-year prohibition, potentially allowing your facility to serve as a site for training. Please note: as with the traditional NATCEP prohibition waiver, a granted waiver would allow a nurse aide training program to be held in, but not by, a nursing facility within that two-year period.
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The U.S. Supreme Court today issued opinions in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) vaccination requirement cases.
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The Wisconsin Medicaid reimbursement rate for home and community-based services (HCBS) will
go up by 5% effective January 1, 2022, through March 31, 2024. The increase comes from federal funding authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Family Care HCBS providers will benefit from these increased rates.
Read More
According to a news bulletin from the Department of Health Services, long-term care facilities, including both nursing homes and assisted living facilities, can request BinaxNOW tests through the federal government to help meet antigen testing needs.
Read More
DHS recently reported that they were notified in the late afternoon on Tuesday, January 11, by Abbott of its decision on January 7 to extend by three months after the expiration date for certain BinaxNow antigen rapid test kits that were first extended for six months in May 2021.
Read More
AHCA/NCAL recently released a
resource on common National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) errors and how to avoid them.
Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is strongly encouraging nursing homes to report the number of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds available in their location each day to EMResource as part of a bed tracking system. With the daily reports from nursing homes, DHS hopes the “SNF bed tracker” will provide a real time picture of bed availability across the state, which hospitals can use as they work to identify potential post-acute care placements for their patients.
Read More
On January 7, 2022, CMS published
QS0–22-08-NH, entitled "Nursing Home Staff Turnover and Weekend Staffing Levels." This document reflects the changes that CMS will begin positing on the Care Compare website.
Read More
On January 7, 2022, CMS published
QS0–22-08-NH, entitled "Nursing Home Staff Turnover and Weekend Staffing Levels." This document reflects the changes that CMS will begin positing on the Care Compare website.
Read More
Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its
website to withdraw the non-record keeping portions of the healthcare emergency temporary standards (ETS) issued in June. The ETS is no longer in effect, however, the record keeping requirements in the ETS will continue as they were adopted under another section of the OSHA Act.
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Last week, the CDC
announced changes to their COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance for the general public, which will shorten both the isolation and quarantine periods based on new data regarding infectiousness and the Omicron variant.
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Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)
released guidance enforcing their Interim Final Rule (IFR) issued November 5, 2021, mandating the vaccine in health care settings. This rule only applies to the 25 states not covered under the
injunction issued by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, including Wisconsin.
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) today issued a new set of
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the revised nursing home visitation guidelines, outlined in memo “
QSO-20-39-NH REVISED.”
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AHCA/NCAL's webinar on vaccine mandates has been rescheduled to Friday, January 7 at 2:00 PM CST to avoid a conflict with the CMS and CDC National Stakeholder Call.
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The Supreme Court
announced Wednesday evening that it has scheduled oral arguments on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccine mandate interim final rule (IFR) and OSHA's vaccine-or-test mandate for large employers on January 7.
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Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) repayments will begin for all Medicare providers, including SNFs, who received AAP payments one year from the date of receipt. Providers do not need to take any action to repay. Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) automatically will begin to recover payment amounts reducing paid claims until the AAP is repaid.
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Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has asked that Superior Health Quality Alliance’s (Superior Health) Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) program to assist with increasing rates of vaccination for COVID-19, influenza, and pneumonia.
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On Friday, February 25, Gov. Tony Evers signed into law a bill related to Wisconsin's unemployment insurance program. Prior to legislative passage, the bill was amended to include language to provide s immunity for entities from civil liability for a COVID-19-related injury or death, except in the case of reckless or wanton conduct or intentional misconduct.
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LTC facilities should be aware of potential scams and fraudulent PPE, including the latest scam with N95 masks. The government is investigating massive quantities of counterfeit N95 masks that were released on the market.
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Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a bi-weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates, and answer questions, related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will be holding a webinar about the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccination Plan on Friday, December 4, 2020 from 10:00-11:00 a.m for vaccine partners and stakeholders. This webinar will focus on current plans for Phase 1A, which involves priority vaccination for health care personnel.
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Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a bi-weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), and Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced today the launch of WisHealth Careers, a multimedia campaign to encourage Wisconsinites across the state to enter the health care field.
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As long-term care providers strive to follow the most current expectations from the Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), finding the answers can become confusing.
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Governor Tony Evers recently signed an Emergency Order extending indoor mask mandate through January 21, 2021.
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AHCA/NCAL has developed an updated its fact sheet on the 3-Day Stay and Benefit-Period Waivers for Medicare Part A SNF PPS.
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An updated version of the SNF COVID-19 Public Reporting (PR) Tip Sheet that was originally posted on September 8, 2020, is now available.
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AHCA/NCAL has updated the FAQs on Testing in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities.
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Long term care facility (LTCF) users who wish to gain full access to the NHSN surveillance modules, various analytic tools, and data reports must complete the enhanced security clearance known as Secure Access Management Services (SAMS) Level 3.
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The Department of Health and Human Services recently updated the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) FAQs with Phase 3 information. Several of the FAQs also provide helpful insights into other PRF requirements.
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On Friday, October 2 at 2:00 pm CST, AHCA/NCAL will host an “office hour” to provide up-to-date answers to your questions about provider relief fund reporting requirements based upon available information and interpretation.
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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) wants to reward buildings that are successful in keeping COVID-19 out of nursing homes or at low levels.
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The SNF COVID-19 PR Tip Sheet is now available. The purpose of this Tip Sheet is to help providers understand CMS’ public reporting strategy for the PAC QRP in the midst of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).
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Nurse Aide training programs, health care providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) on Wednesday, July 8 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. During this time, DQA will respond to questions related to the Emergency Rules for Nurse Aide Training Programs as well as other important program updates.
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In case you missed it, Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), published the following op-ed on LinkedIn calling for long term care residents to be prioritized for resources and support:
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