COVID-19 Latest News, Guidance & Resoruces
We are closely monitoring the news and guidance concerning COVID-19 and are working with the Governor’s office, the Indiana Department of Health and AHCA/NCAL, to ensure our member providers receive the necessary guidance to care for the most vulnerable Hoosiers. Visit this webpage daily to access the latest updates.
June 30: CDC Identifies Reporting Issue with NHSN Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Module
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has identified an issue with reporting COVID-19 Vaccination Data for resident and health care personnel in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Long-term Care Facility Component. Users can initially save their data, but if users attempt to modify data for question #2, an error message is generated, and those modifications cannot be saved in the NHSN application.
The CDC is actively working to resolve this problem and anticipates it to be fixed on July 11, 2023.
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May 12: Request SAMS Level 3 Access Now to Meet SNF QRP Required Reporting by May 15
The SNF QRP reporting deadline is Monday, May 15 at 11:59 p.m. This includes required reporting of Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Health Care Personnel to NHSN as this data can only be reported by facilities with SAMS level 3 access.
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April 13: HHS Announces Expiration of COVID-19 PHE HIPAA Notifications of Enforcement Discretion
This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that the Notifications of Enforcement Discretion issued under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act during the COVID-19 public health emergency will expire at 11:59 pm on May 11, 2023, due to the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
While Congress extended many of the telehealth coverage flexibilities impacting AHCA/NCAL members and their residents permanently or until December 31, 2024, this policy change will no longer permit providers to use technology such as unsecure iPads, smart phones, or other technology for telehealth services unless they meet the stringent HIPAA patient privacy requirements after August 9, 2023.
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January 10: HRSA Releases Reporting Period 4 Guidance
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released two important updates related to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments HRSA began distributing in November 2021 and throughout 2022.
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ACCESS HERE
December 20: Biden Administration Announces Winter Preparedness Plan
The Biden Administration announced a COVID-19 Winter Preparedness Plan. The plan expands access to testing, vaccines and treatments, preparing for the impact of variants, cases and hospitalizations in local communities, and protecting the most-high risk Americans, including residents of nursing homes and other congregate living facilities.
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December 16: CDC Expands COVID-19 Provider Vaccine Agreements to LTC Facilities
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) announced it is taking steps to make it easier for long term care (LTC) facilities to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to staff and residents. The CDC is now allowing LTC pharmacies to transfer COVID-19 vaccine/boosters to LTC facilities in single dose vials to directly vaccinate residents and staff by waiving some of the reporting requirements LTC pharmacies had to follow.
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December 14: HRSA Begins Provider Relief Fund Repayment Notification
- Initial notification will come in the form of an alert email to the PRF listed contact(s). The email will not contain the payment specific information included in the Repayment Request Notice.
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Vaccines
IHCA/INCAL contact: Lori Davenport, ldavenport@ihca.org
Education and Promotion
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#GetVaccinated: AHCA/NCAL’s campaign funded in part by a cooperative agreement with the CDC
Vaccines for Long-Term Care
Vaccine Guidance
CMS Vaccine Requirements
Other Resources
- COVID-19 Vaccine NHSN Reporting Update
- COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit for LTC Medical Directors
- Maintenance Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for LTCFs
- Staffing Considerations Post-Vaccines
- Post COVID-19 Vaccine Considerations for Healthcare Personnel
- Post COVID-19 Vaccine Considerations for LTC Residents
- Integrating COVID-19 Vaccine Information into Existing Systems
Testing Guidance & Updates
Ordering Testing Supplies – Langham Portal
Latest Updates
- September 27, 2022: IHCA/INCAL Summary of CMS’s Revised Testing Guidance
- September 23, 2022: Access QSO Memo on Testing Requirements
Important Contacts
- Probari Phone number: Please call 317-804-4102 with any questions/issues.
- ZOTEC Help Desk: Please call 866-254-4628 with any questions/issues related to registration.
- Patients Choice Laboratories (PCL): PCL, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a leading provider of comprehensive laboratory testing services throughout the United States. For more info, please visit www.pclabsdx.com.
Antigen Testing
Latest Updates
- Feb. 10: Reporting of POC Antigen Test Results to NHSN Changed to Optional – Test Results Must Still Be Reported
- January 11: Important: IDH Updates COVID-19 Data Submission Guidelines
- October 30: COVID-19 Guidance for Point-of-Care COVID-19 Testing Reporting
- October 16: New Pathway to Report POC Test Results through Electronic Lab Reporting Process
- September 16: BinaxNOW COVID-19 Cards – REDCaps Reporting Required
Guidance and Important Resources
Weekly Webinars
Please note: Weekly Regulatory Webinars have moved to a new page and have a new name i.e. Regulatory Roundup. To access weekly regulatory webinar meeting link, handouts and recordings, please click the button below.
ACCESS WEEKLY REGULATORY roundup page
For questions, contact Deeksha Kapoor at dkapoor@ihca.org
Payment & Reimbursement Resources
General Resources
Medicare
- September 10: CMS Updates Medicare COVID-19 Billing Guidance
- March 1: Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Repayments to Begin
- October 9: Continuing Appropriations Act Modifies Accelerated Payment Program & CMS Issues Corresponding Guidance
- July 1: CMS Updates SNF Billing Guidance Related to Three-Day Stay, Spell-of-Illness Waivers
- July 1: Medicare Coverage of COVID-19 Testing for Nursing Home Residents and Patients
- June 26: CMS Ends Blanket Waiver on Staffing Data – Q2 Staffing Data Due August 14, 2020
- June 18: Announcement Regarding Upcoming Medicaid Cost Report
- April 27: Accelerated and Advance Payments FAQs
- April 17: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing
- March 3: SNF Medicare Part A coverage waiver guidance
Medicaid
- February 10: The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Provider Stabilization Grant Program Deadline Has Been Extended
- January 5: Indiana Medicaid extends COVID-19 Ready Nursing Facility Reimbursement through 1/31/22
- January 5: Indiana Medicaid restarts COVID-19 Ready Nursing Facility Reimbursement
- December 20: Advance Care Planning (ACP) Value Based Purchasing Requirement
- September 10: Prior Authorization Waiver Re-instated for Indiana Medicaid
- May 28: CARES Act COVID-19 Relief for A&D Waiver Assisted Living Providers – Applications Due by July 31, 2021
- May 13: Medicaid Resident Liabilities Update
- April 20: OMPP Announces Extension of 3% Rate Enhancement for NF
- November 16: Mass Adjustment for Certain $115 Add-on Claims
- September 8: New MDS Assessment Requirements
- September 8: UPL Q4 Interim Payment and COVID-19 add-ons
- September 8: Nursing Facility COVID-19 Rate Enhancements
- September 8: New COVID-19 Positive $115 Add-on Billing Instructions
- August 3: FSSA Updates Administrative Code on Medicaid Recipients and Eligibility
- August 3: Indiana Medicaid Updates HIP to Fee for Service (FFS) Transition Policy
CARES Act Provider Relief Fund
Latest Updates
- Dec. 14: HRSA Begins Provider Relief Fund Repayment Notification
- August 5: Provider Relief Fund Reminders
- March 23: Provider Relief Fund Updates: Phase 4 Awards Continue and Reporting Period 1 Challenges
- March 17: Start Now – Provider Relief Fund Reporting Period 2 Deadline March 31
- Feb. 24: HRSA to Make More than $560 Million in PRF Payments
Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Resources
Workforce Resources
IHCA/INCAL Contact: Nick Goodwin| ngoodwin@ihca.org
CNA Temporary Aide Program
- Policy and Procedure for Requesting Waiver of Disapproval of Nurse Aide Training
- IDH Orders Impacting the Certified Nurse Aide Training Program During the Public Health Emergency
Temporary Aide Programs
- Temporary Healthcare Provider Registry
- AHCA Temporary Nurse Aide Program
- Temporary Personal Care Attendant
OSHA
OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard for Health Care Workers
Emotional PPE Project
Nurse Licensure Compact
Federal Reporting Requirements
Regulatory Requirements
- Requirements of Reporting by CLIA Laboratories
- CMS Interim Final Rule Updating Requirements for Notification of Confirmed and Suspected COVID-19 Cases Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes
- Summary of CMS Reporting Requirements of Confirmed or Suspected Cases
- Sample Independent Information Dispute Resolution Request
- Reporting Staff Cases to OSHA
Resources
NHSN Reporting
- August 9: Fall 2021 Changes to NHSN COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting
- June 17: Qsource Tip Sheet on NHSN COVID-19 Reporting
- May 11: CMS Rule Requires COVID-19 Vaccine Procedures and Reporting Beginning May 21, 2021
- April 6: COVID-19 Vaccine Data Reporting to NHSN
- January 11: Reporting of POC Antigen Test Results to NHSN Changed to Optional
- November 22: NHSN Reporting Changes Effective Nov. 23rd
- November 17: NHSN To Update Reporting Pathways
- November 10: New Update: HHS NHSN Reporting Requirements
- October 22: Updated Reporting Requirements to the Provider Relief Fund
- September 2: Updates to NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Pathway
- August 12: New NHSN Data Elements on Testing
- August 4: How You Can Avoid Errors When Reporting Data to NHSN
- July 1: NHSN Reporting Problems, Tags, and Penalties
- June 11: NHSN Reporting Compliance Tips – Avoid CMPs and Nursing Home Compare Points
- May 26: NHSN Reporting Update and FAQs
- May 11: NHSN: Accurately Report Staffing & PPE Shortages
- May 6: CMS Releases Memo on Interim Final Rule Updating Requirements for Reporting and Notification of Confirmed and Suspected COVID-19 Cases Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes
- May 4: Getting Started with NHSN Reporting on COVID-19
- May 3: Effective Date of CMS Interim Final Rule on COVID-19 Reporting for Nursing Homes
- May 1: CMS Issues Interim Final Rule with New Requirements for COVID-19 Reporting for Long-Term Care Facilities
Waivers & Emergency Orders
Federal Public Health Emergency
- HHS Announces Expiration of COVID-19 PHE HIPAA Notifications of Enforcement Discretion
- Public Health Emergency Ending May 11
- HHS Extends Public Health Emergency Through April 11
Waivers
- Federal Blanket Waivers (see pages 16-22 for LTC)
- Summary of COVID-19 Emergency Orders and Waivers for Comprehensive Care Facilities from ISDH
- Summary of COVID-19 Waivers, Guidance, and Emergency Orders for Residential Care Facilities from ISDH
- IDH Issues Certified Nurse Aide Training Program Orders
- AHCA Skilled SNF Coverage Decisions Under COVID-19 Waivers Flowcharts
- 3-Day Stay Waiver Guidance
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
EMResource
EMResource is a web-based resource management and communication tool used to monitor and notify changes in resources statuses. IDH is asking you to update your PPE supplies daily in this tool so that resources can be distributed efficiently.
- Please request your user account here.
- Please access the user manual at this link.
- EMResource Troubleshooting – Email Eric Shelley at the Indiana Department of Health – eshelley1@isdh.in.gov
Coordinate account registration with your facility administrator. We recommend designating at least two individuals that can track and input data into EMResource.
OSHA
- OSHA Releases Respiratory Protection Guidance for LTCFs
- OSHA Guidance on Recording Requirements for COVID-19
- Guidance in Consideration of OSHA Obligations When PPE is Critically Low or Unavailable
Using and Conserving PPE
- Strategies to Optimize the Supply of PPE and Equipment
- EMResource – ISDH’s COVID-19 PPE Inventory Tracking Tool user manual
- ISDH Strategies for Optimizing N95 Supply
Vendors
- Refer to IHCA/INCAL Vendor Directory
- AHCA/NCAL List of vendors
- Disposable Masks and Safety Equipment
- Calderon Textiles | 6131 W 80th St, Indianapolis, IN 46278
- Contact: Josh Ellis, PPE Specialist | jellis@calderontextiles.com | 317-902-7031
CMS Guidance & Resources
Nursing Home Visitation
- IHCA/INCAL Summary of Updated Visitation Guidance (Sept. 26, 2022)
- IHCA/INCAL Summary on Nursing Home Visitation FAQs (Feb. 3, 2022)
- CMS FAQs on Nursing Home Visitation (revised Feb. 2, 2022)
- CMS Memo and FAQs on Nursing Home Visitation (memo revised Nov. 12, 2021, FAQs revised Feb. 2, 2022)
- IHCA/INCAL Summary on CMS Updated Visitation Guidance (Nov. 12, 2021)
- Infographic: How to Safely Conduct Visits to Nursing Homes
COVID-19 Survey Activities
- CMS Releases Updated Survey & Oversight Guidance (Nov. 12, 2021)
- Focused Infection Control Survey Updates (Jan. 5, 2021)
- COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes
COVID-19 Vaccine Immunization Requirements for Residents and Staff
Requirements for Notification of COVID-19 Cases Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes
- CMS memo on the requirements for notification of COVID-19 cases among residents and staff in nursing homes
- IHCA/INCAL summary on CMS’s memo on the requirements for notification of COVID-19 cases among residents and staff in nursing homes
Emergency Preparedness
Resources
CDC Guidance & Resources
Return to Work Guidance
Resources
- Overview
- Prevention
- Reporting Resources
- Long Term Care Facility Resources
- Resources for Health Care Facilities
- Management of Healthcare Personnel with COVID-19 Infection or Exposure
- CDC Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages
- Health Care Infection Control Guidelines
- Clinical Care Guidance
- Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Calls & Webinars
- Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel
- Disposition of Non-Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19
- Communication Resources
Education & Programming
Tools, Webinars, Trainings and Resources
- Stress First Aid for Long Term Care Staff
- Emergency Preparedness: Caring for persons living with dementia in a long-term or community-based care setting
- Advance Care Planning During a Crisis – FREE 12-Minute Webinar
- Psychological First Aid Training
- Activity Programming Ideas
- Wellness Workbook
- Laminate and Lead Activity Plans
Informative Read
- What Does This Make Possible? Surviving and Thriving in Tough Times by Dennis McIntee, CEO, Leadership Development Group.
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