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AHCA/NCAL Calls for Vaccine Priority for Residents, Staff	<p>At a public listening session organized by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Libing (AHCA/NCAL) President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Parkinson stressed the importance of getting a vaccine to long term care providers that have been on the front lines of the pandemic protecting one of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.<br></p><p>“Long term care was forgotten at the start of the pandemic, but we cannot be forgotten now,” he said. “Members of our country’s greatest generation and the brave men and women who keep them safe deserve our support. Ensuring long term care residents and staff are among the first to receive a vaccine when it becomes available will help mitigate the risk and prevent further deaths.”<br></p><p>NASEM’s final study on vaccine distribution will provide recommendations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as they consider initial allocation once a vaccine is available.<br></p><p>AHCA/NCAL said a recent Harris survey of more than 1,900 Americans revealed that the vast majority of Americans support providing the vaccine to high-risk individuals first. This includes seniors and those who care for them.<br></p><p>While long term care providers have taken unprecedented action to protect those in their care, research shows that a high rate of spread in a community is all but certain to lead to outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living communities.<br></p><p>“As long as the virus is a threat to the general public, it is a threat to our residents and staff,” Parkinson said. “If we can vaccinate long term care residents and caregivers first, they will be less at risk in the event we see a rise in cases within our communities.”<br></p><p>AHCA/NCAL said it will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NIH, and CDC to ensure those who most urgently need the protection of a vaccine are able to access it as soon as possible.</p>	2020-10-01T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/Headshots/MarkParkinson.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Infection Control;COVID-19	Patrick Connole	AHCA/NCAL said a recent Harris survey of more than 1,900 Americans revealed that the vast majority of Americans support providing the vaccine to high-risk individuals first.
CMS Tells States to Return to Normal Survey When Possible	<p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Quality, Safety & Oversight (QSO) memo to states instructing them to return to the normal survey process as soon as resources in the state allow and in accordance with states’ COVID-19 reopening plans.<br></p><p>The memo also provides guidance on how to resolve pending enforcement actions suspended as a result of prior QSO memos on March 23 and June 1 that suspended some survey enforcement actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a summary of the CMS instructions by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).<br></p><p>On March 23, CMS issued the QSO 20-20-All memorandum, which limited survey activity to focused infection control surveys. On June 1, CMS issued the QSO 20-31-All memorandum that provided survey reprioritization guidance to transition to more routine oversight and survey activities. This latest memo instructs states to restart all normal surveys as soon as is possible, AHCA/NCAL said.<br></p><p>CMS resolved suspended enforcement cases and provided guidance for closing them out going forward starting mid-August. This process involved four components that are described in the QSO memo:<br>1. Expanding the Desk Review policy for Plans of Corrections; <br>2. Processing enforcement cases that were started before March 23, 2020; <br>3. Processing enforcement cases that were started on March 23, 2020, through May 31, 2020; and <br>4. Processing enforcement cases that were started on or after June 1, 2020.<br></p><p>CMS is also issuing updated guidance for the reprioritization of routine state survey agency (SA) Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) survey activities, subject to the SA’s discretion, in addition to lifting the restriction on processing CLIA enforcement actions and issuing the Statement of Deficiencies and Plan of Correction (Form CMS-2567) for CLIA citations.<br></p><p>AHCA/NCAL said providers with questions about past enforcement actions suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic should contact their state survey agency for guidance as there are many scenarios that may not be fully addressed by the new memo.<br></p><p>CMS said questions about a specific enforcement cycle may be addressed with the specific CMS location:<br>■ Long-Term Care questions should be addressed to: DNH_Enforcement@cms.hhs.gov.<br>■ CLIA questions should be addressed to: LabExcellence@cms.hhs.gov.</p>	2020-10-01T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/1020_News1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	CMS	Patrick Connole	CMS issued a Quality, Safety & Oversight memo to states instructing them to return to the normal survey process as soon as resources in the state allow and in accordance with states’ COVID-19 reopening plans.
DOL Updates Temporary Pandemic Leave Rule	<p>The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued an update to the temporary rule the agency issued in April regarding worker leave related to the COVID-19 pandemic by changing the definition of health care workers, according to analysis by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).<br></p><p>Employees defined as health care workers are not required to have paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave. Other employees of providers, such as food service, housekeeping, records, and billing staff, are required to have paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, the update from the Labor Department said. <br></p><p>AHCA/NCAL said these changes apply to employers with fewer than 500 employees, and the aggregation of employees across locations is possible in certain instances.<br></p><p>“This rule applies to nursing facilities and all long term care facilities, which would include IDD [intellectual development and disabilities] and assisted living providers that meet the definitions in the rule,” the association said. “Providers should work with their employment counsel to determine whether these leave provisions apply.”  AHCA/NCAL said the revised Labor rule came in response to a district court decision in New York that found part of the original rule invalid. The revisions impact the definition of a health care provider, which can be exempted from paid leave and emergency family and medical leave expansion act (EFMLEA) requirements. <br></p><p>“The new definition is limited to those providing health care services and those reporting to health care providers. This definition includes employees who may not directly interact with patients but provide services that are integrated with and necessary for the provision of patient care,” AHCA/NCAL said.<br></p><p>Examples of duties considered necessary for patient care include bathing, dressing, and feeding a patient/resident who cannot perform the activity independently. For assisted living, this could include direct care providers, certified nurse assistants, personal care assistants, or other titles providing direct care to residents. <br>Previously, all employees, regardless of job activity, in a health care facility were included in the broad definition of health care provider and thus excluded from the paid leave requirements, AHCA/NCAL said. <br></p><p>The Labor Department defines covered employees as “employees who do not provide health care services, even if their services could affect the provision of health care services.” Examples include building maintenance staff, human resources personnel, cooks, food service workers, and records and billing staff.  <br></p><p>Covered paid sick leave for non-health care staff includes: <br>■ Up to two weeks of COVID-19-related paid sick leave if an employee is:  <br>• Under quarantine order from a government entity (local, state, or federal); <br>• Advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine; <br>• Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking medical diagnosis; <br>• Caring for another who meets any of the above conditions; or <br>• Caring for a child whose school or childcare provider is closed due to COVID-19-related reasons. <br></p><p>EFMLEA for non-health care staff includes: <br>■ Up to 12 weeks of expanded family and medical leave, some of which is paid in certain circumstances, if unable to work due to need to care for a child whose school or childcare provider is closed due to COVID-19-related reasons. <br></p><p>Currently, the coronavirus leave requirements are in place through Dec. 31, 2020. Providers should familiarize themselves with these new requirements, which were to go into effect on Wednesday, Sept. 16.<br></p>	2020-10-01T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/1020_News2.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Workforce;DOL	Patrick Connole	The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued an update to the temporary rule the agency issued in April regarding worker leave related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some Assisted Living Providers to Get COVID Relief Funding	<p>The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that private-pay assisted living/memory care providers will be eligible to apply for CARES Act Provider Relief Funds under the current Phase 2 General Distribution round of COVID-19 funding.  <br></p><p>Like other providers applying for Phase 2 funding, eligible assisted living communities will receive 2 percent of their annual revenue from patient care, according to the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), part of the American Health Care Association.<br></p><p>In response, Scott Tittle, executive director of NCAL, said, “This financial aid is welcome news for the tens of thousands of assisted living providers and the hundreds of thousands of seniors they serve.”<br></p><p>For six months, he said, assisted living caregivers have been diverting significant resources to help acquire personal protective equipment, testing, and additional support for staff.<br></p><p>“Funding from the federal government will help ensure assisted living providers continue these efforts to keep their residents and staff safe, as well as remain a reliable long term care option for their local communities,” Tittle said.<br></p><p>“Coupled with the news that rapid, antigen tests are being delivered to assisted living communities across the country, we greatly appreciate HHS for recognizing the importance of supporting our long term care sector during this crisis.”<br></p><p>HHS also had announced that the shipments of the rapid COVID-19 testing equipment will come from a supply of 150 million ordered from test maker Abbott Laboratories.<br></p>	2020-10-01T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/Headshots/ScottTittle.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	COVID-19;Capitol Hill	Patrick Connole	HHS has announced that private-pay assisted living/memory care providers will be eligible to apply for CARES Act Provider Relief Funds under the current Phase 2 General Distribution round of COVID-19 funding.

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AHCA/NCAL Calls for Vaccine Priority for Residents, Staff	<p>At a public listening session organized by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Libing (AHCA/NCAL) President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Parkinson stressed the importance of getting a vaccine to long term care providers that have been on the front lines of the pandemic protecting one of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.<br></p><p>“Long term care was forgotten at the start of the pandemic, but we cannot be forgotten now,” he said. “Members of our country’s greatest generation and the brave men and women who keep them safe deserve our support. Ensuring long term care residents and staff are among the first to receive a vaccine when it becomes available will help mitigate the risk and prevent further deaths.”<br></p><p>NASEM’s final study on vaccine distribution will provide recommendations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as they consider initial allocation once a vaccine is available.<br></p><p>AHCA/NCAL said a recent Harris survey of more than 1,900 Americans revealed that the vast majority of Americans support providing the vaccine to high-risk individuals first. This includes seniors and those who care for them.<br></p><p>While long term care providers have taken unprecedented action to protect those in their care, research shows that a high rate of spread in a community is all but certain to lead to outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living communities.<br></p><p>“As long as the virus is a threat to the general public, it is a threat to our residents and staff,” Parkinson said. “If we can vaccinate long term care residents and caregivers first, they will be less at risk in the event we see a rise in cases within our communities.”<br></p><p>AHCA/NCAL said it will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NIH, and CDC to ensure those who most urgently need the protection of a vaccine are able to access it as soon as possible.</p>	2020-10-01T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/Headshots/MarkParkinson.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Infection Control;COVID-19	AHCA/NCAL said a recent Harris survey of more than 1,900 Americans revealed that the vast majority of Americans support providing the vaccine to high-risk individuals first.
CMS Tells States to Return to Normal Survey When Possible	<p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Quality, Safety & Oversight (QSO) memo to states instructing them to return to the normal survey process as soon as resources in the state allow and in accordance with states’ COVID-19 reopening plans.<br></p><p>The memo also provides guidance on how to resolve pending enforcement actions suspended as a result of prior QSO memos on March 23 and June 1 that suspended some survey enforcement actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a summary of the CMS instructions by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).<br></p><p>On March 23, CMS issued the QSO 20-20-All memorandum, which limited survey activity to focused infection control surveys. On June 1, CMS issued the QSO 20-31-All memorandum that provided survey reprioritization guidance to transition to more routine oversight and survey activities. This latest memo instructs states to restart all normal surveys as soon as is possible, AHCA/NCAL said.<br></p><p>CMS resolved suspended enforcement cases and provided guidance for closing them out going forward starting mid-August. This process involved four components that are described in the QSO memo:<br>1. Expanding the Desk Review policy for Plans of Corrections; <br>2. Processing enforcement cases that were started before March 23, 2020; <br>3. Processing enforcement cases that were started on March 23, 2020, through May 31, 2020; and <br>4. Processing enforcement cases that were started on or after June 1, 2020.<br></p><p>CMS is also issuing updated guidance for the reprioritization of routine state survey agency (SA) Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) survey activities, subject to the SA’s discretion, in addition to lifting the restriction on processing CLIA enforcement actions and issuing the Statement of Deficiencies and Plan of Correction (Form CMS-2567) for CLIA citations.<br></p><p>AHCA/NCAL said providers with questions about past enforcement actions suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic should contact their state survey agency for guidance as there are many scenarios that may not be fully addressed by the new memo.<br></p><p>CMS said questions about a specific enforcement cycle may be addressed with the specific CMS location:<br>■ Long-Term Care questions should be addressed to: DNH_Enforcement@cms.hhs.gov.<br>■ CLIA questions should be addressed to: LabExcellence@cms.hhs.gov.</p>	2020-10-01T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/1020_News1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	CMS	CMS issued a Quality, Safety & Oversight memo to states instructing them to return to the normal survey process as soon as resources in the state allow and in accordance with states’ COVID-19 reopening plans.
DOL Updates Temporary Pandemic Leave Rule	<p>The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued an update to the temporary rule the agency issued in April regarding worker leave related to the COVID-19 pandemic by changing the definition of health care workers, according to analysis by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).<br></p><p>Employees defined as health care workers are not required to have paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave. Other employees of providers, such as food service, housekeeping, records, and billing staff, are required to have paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, the update from the Labor Department said. <br></p><p>AHCA/NCAL said these changes apply to employers with fewer than 500 employees, and the aggregation of employees across locations is possible in certain instances.<br></p><p>“This rule applies to nursing facilities and all long term care facilities, which would include IDD [intellectual development and disabilities] and assisted living providers that meet the definitions in the rule,” the association said. “Providers should work with their employment counsel to determine whether these leave provisions apply.”  AHCA/NCAL said the revised Labor rule came in response to a district court decision in New York that found part of the original rule invalid. The revisions impact the definition of a health care provider, which can be exempted from paid leave and emergency family and medical leave expansion act (EFMLEA) requirements. <br></p><p>“The new definition is limited to those providing health care services and those reporting to health care providers. This definition includes employees who may not directly interact with patients but provide services that are integrated with and necessary for the provision of patient care,” AHCA/NCAL said.<br></p><p>Examples of duties considered necessary for patient care include bathing, dressing, and feeding a patient/resident who cannot perform the activity independently. For assisted living, this could include direct care providers, certified nurse assistants, personal care assistants, or other titles providing direct care to residents. <br>Previously, all employees, regardless of job activity, in a health care facility were included in the broad definition of health care provider and thus excluded from the paid leave requirements, AHCA/NCAL said. <br></p><p>The Labor Department defines covered employees as “employees who do not provide health care services, even if their services could affect the provision of health care services.” Examples include building maintenance staff, human resources personnel, cooks, food service workers, and records and billing staff.  <br></p><p>Covered paid sick leave for non-health care staff includes: <br>■ Up to two weeks of COVID-19-related paid sick leave if an employee is:  <br>• Under quarantine order from a government entity (local, state, or federal); <br>• Advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine; <br>• Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking medical diagnosis; <br>• Caring for another who meets any of the above conditions; or <br>• Caring for a child whose school or childcare provider is closed due to COVID-19-related reasons. <br></p><p>EFMLEA for non-health care staff includes: <br>■ Up to 12 weeks of expanded family and medical leave, some of which is paid in certain circumstances, if unable to work due to need to care for a child whose school or childcare provider is closed due to COVID-19-related reasons. <br></p><p>Currently, the coronavirus leave requirements are in place through Dec. 31, 2020. Providers should familiarize themselves with these new requirements, which were to go into effect on Wednesday, Sept. 16.<br></p>	2020-10-01T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/1020_News2.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Workforce;DOL	The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued an update to the temporary rule the agency issued in April regarding worker leave related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some Assisted Living Providers to Get COVID Relief Funding	<p>The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that private-pay assisted living/memory care providers will be eligible to apply for CARES Act Provider Relief Funds under the current Phase 2 General Distribution round of COVID-19 funding.  <br></p><p>Like other providers applying for Phase 2 funding, eligible assisted living communities will receive 2 percent of their annual revenue from patient care, according to the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), part of the American Health Care Association.<br></p><p>In response, Scott Tittle, executive director of NCAL, said, “This financial aid is welcome news for the tens of thousands of assisted living providers and the hundreds of thousands of seniors they serve.”<br></p><p>For six months, he said, assisted living caregivers have been diverting significant resources to help acquire personal protective equipment, testing, and additional support for staff.<br></p><p>“Funding from the federal government will help ensure assisted living providers continue these efforts to keep their residents and staff safe, as well as remain a reliable long term care option for their local communities,” Tittle said.<br></p><p>“Coupled with the news that rapid, antigen tests are being delivered to assisted living communities across the country, we greatly appreciate HHS for recognizing the importance of supporting our long term care sector during this crisis.”<br></p><p>HHS also had announced that the shipments of the rapid COVID-19 testing equipment will come from a supply of 150 million ordered from test maker Abbott Laboratories.<br></p>	2020-10-01T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/Headshots/ScottTittle.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	COVID-19;Capitol Hill	HHS has announced that private-pay assisted living/memory care providers will be eligible to apply for CARES Act Provider Relief Funds under the current Phase 2 General Distribution round of COVID-19 funding.
Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Need Vaccine Prioritization, Association Says	<p>Advocates for the nation’s skilled nursing centers and assisted living communities have sent a letter to the National Governors Association and state governors urging them to prioritize COVID vaccine distribution to all long term care facilities.</p><p>Highlights from the letter from the leaders of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) include:</p><p>--The average age of residents in long term care facilities is 85; almost every one of them has an underlying health condition, and some have multiple chronic conditions. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the risk of mortality in this age group is 630 times higher than those 18 to 29 years old. <br>--COVID-19 also runs counter to everything known about infection control. Normal infection control is symptom related. What makes the virus particularly vicious is the fact that a person can contract it, show no symptoms, and unknowingly spread it.<br>--Data show that nearly 40 percent of individuals with COVID-19 are asymptomatic. The highly contagious nature of the virus in congregate settings, namely long term care facilities, opens the door for rapid spread. <br>--The combination of these factors, as well as a severe lack of personal protective equipment and testing at the outset, led to a disproportionate impact on long term care residents. <a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/kffdata#%21/vizhome/KFF-StateCoronavirusTracker-UpdateAAv11_KOEdits_20200423_15881952183820/LTC-Map">Current data </a>show that while COVID-19 cases in all long term care facilities account for 8 percent of total cases nationwide, they account for 41 percent of all COVID-19 related deaths.</p><p>In the letter, signed by Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive officer of AHCA/NCAL, and Scott Tittle, executive director of NCAL, the pair said, “These tragic deaths also include hundreds of long term care staff members who are responsible for the care and services of the residents.”</p><p>Since the start of the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of staff have fought on the frontlines, working night and day to protect those who are most at risk, the letter said.</p><p>“The around-the-clock care they provide requires close contact with our residents. As a result, many have become infected with the virus. These individuals also are at risk of contracting the virus in their community. Even with the most stringent screening and testing protocols, the asymptomatic and virulent nature of this virus makes it impossible to truly prevent entry into the building,” Parkinson and Tittle said.</p><p>They stated this is why <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Fact-Sheets/FactSheets/Analysis-COVID-Outbreaks-in-Nursing-Homes.pdf">independent research </a>from top academics shows that community spread of the virus is directly correlated with outbreaks in nursing homes.</p><p>“If it is spreading at a high rate in a local community, it is all but certain to result in outbreaks in long term care settings. If we can vaccinate long term care residents and staff first, they will be less at risk in the event we see a rise in cases within our communities,” the letter said.</p><p>Visitation and engagement in social activities are important for residents’ health and well-being, and long term care providers are eager to help facilitate this.</p><p>“While recent steps have been taken to allow for safe visitation, it will continue to be restricted and limited until there is a vaccine,” Parkinson and Tittle said. Additionally, a recent poll found that most Americans support high-risk individuals receiving the vaccine first. This includes health care workers, seniors, and people with compromised immune systems, they added. </p><p>Here is a <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Fact-Sheets/Letters/NGA-Letter-Vaccine-Priority.pdf">link</a> to a pdf version of the AHCA/NCAL letter.</p>	2020-09-29T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/0520_News1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Policy	Advocates send letter to National Governors Association and state governors urging them to prioritize COVID vaccine distribution to all long term care facilities.
AHCA, NCAL Warn Congress of Need for Fresh COVID Funding Package	<p>The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has warned Congress that if it does not approve a new COVID-funding package, public health agencies and health care providers could be less than completely prepared heading into the cold and flu season, as well as underfunded to handle another major spike in coronavirus cases.</p><p>With 70 percent of the $175 billion Provider Relief Fund provided by the CARES Act back in April already distributed and remaining funds likely to be allocated by early October, health care providers, including long term care facilities, will need additional funds to continue their response to the COVID-19 pandemic heading into the cold and flu season, which provides new challenges, the advocacy group said.</p><p>“Without replenishing funds for federal and state agencies, health care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living communities, could find themselves less than completely prepared for the challenges of the upcoming cold and flu season, which could inevitably result in an uptick in new COVID cases,” said Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive officer of AHCA/NCAL. </p><p>“With the cold and flu season adding a real complication to the ongoing COVID pandemic response, the need for extra testing, personal protective equipment, and staffing, will need to be met in order to keep caregivers and residents safe.”</p><p>Parkinson is urging Congress to provide an additional $100 billion for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Provider Relief Fund, which is accessible for all health care providers impacted by COVID-19. <br>He said a sizeable portion of the fund should be dedicated to helping nursing homes and assisted living communities acquire resources associated with protecting vulnerable residents and staff from the virus, including constant testing, personal protective equipment, and staff support.</p><p>“Without adequate funding and resources, the U.S. will repeat the same mistakes made during the initial outbreak last spring and the major spike over the summer. We need Congress to prioritize our vulnerable seniors and their caregivers in nursing homes and assisted living communities, by passing another COVID funding package before they leave town for the elections,” Parkinson said.<br>                                                                                                 <br>For more information, visit <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/Emergency-Preparedness/pages/coronavirus.aspx.">www.ahcancal.org/coronavirus</a>.</p>	2020-09-29T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/0520_news4.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Policy	AHCA/NCAL warns Congress that if it does not approve a new COVID-funding package, health care providers could be underfunded to handle another major spike in coronavirus cases.
CMS Offers Payment Details for COVID Testing in Nursing Centers	<p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released information to help states, nursing facilities, and other providers understand the sources of Medicare and Medicaid coverage and payment for COVID-19 testing.</p><p>According to the latest COVID-19 update from the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), among these resources is the Coverage and Payment for COVID-19 Testing in Nursing Facilities <a href="https://edit.cms.gov/files/document/covid-medicare-payment-covid-19-viral-testing-flow-chart.pdf">flow chart</a>, which details testing coverage for nursing facility residents. AHCA/NCAL has developed a <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/Emergency-Preparedness/Documents/COVID19/Medicare-COVID-Testing.pdf?csf=1&e=6Z5xp0">summary</a> of this resource, and further information is at <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y4x2wu6u">https://tinyurl.com/y4x2wu6u</a>.</p><p>Separately, CMS has updated the Excel file that flags COVID-19-positive test rates in counties. The agency has also modified the method for classifying a county as green, yellow, or red and expanded the measure to cover results over a 14-day period in each county instead of seven days, AHCA/NCAL said.</p><p>CMS will also be posting COVID-positive test data weekly and will allow facilities to use data released by their state or county if the data are more recent than the CMS data. <a href="https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CMS-to-Update-County-Data-for-COVID-19-Testing-Weekly-and-Allow-Use-of-State-or-County-Data-in-Updated-Methodology.aspx">Read more.</a></p><p>Finally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said assisted living communities that want to receive COVID-19 test kits must have a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) Certificate of Waiver to perform testing. Last week, HHS announced that it would send 540,000 COIVD-19 test kits made by Abbott to assisted living communities this week.</p><p>Providers that wish to become CLIA-certified must apply for a CLIA Certificate. Please view the brochure, <a href="https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/CLIA/Downloads/HowObtainCertificateofWaiver.pdf">How to Apply for CLIA Certificate of Waiver</a>, and submit an application form (<a href="https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS116.pdf">CMS Form 116</a>) to the state (<a href="https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/CLIA/Downloads/CLIASA.pdf">CLIA State Agency Contacts</a>) where the provider that is applying is located, AHCA/NCAL said.<br></p><p></p>	2020-09-21T04:00:00Z	<img alt="" src="/Breaking-News/PublishingImages/740%20x%20740/0920_News1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	Policy;COVID-19	The agency will also be posting COVID-positive test data weekly and will allow facilities to use data released by their state or county if the data are more recent than those posted by CMS.