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Important Updates and Resources for Long-Term Care Providers

COVID-19

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.

Updated Guidance from CDC and CMS [September 23, 2022]

 

Jan. 31: Public Health Emergency Ending May 11

Yesterday, the Biden Administration announced its plans to end the Public Health Emergency (PHE). This administration guidance meets the Administration’s promise of 60 days’ notice of the end of the PHE. Based on the guidance, the PHE will end on May 11, 2023.

  • The end of the PHE also marks the end of Section 1135 National Blanket Waiver. The two substantive SNF waiver provisions left in Section 1135 are the Medicare fee-for-service 3-Day Stay and Spell of Illness waivers. These waivers technically fall under Section 1812(f) but are tied to the Section 1135 waiver. As of May 11, SNFs may no longer use the 3-Day Waiver or the Spell of Illness waiver. In terms of Medicare Advantage plans, PHE waiver provisions were rolled back in 2022.

READ MORE

 

 

January 11: HHS Extends Public Health Emergency Through April 11

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra today renewed the declaration​ that a public health emergency (PHE) exists. This is effective January 11, 2023, and will continue for 90 days pursuant to federal law. The PHE renewal through mid-April  i.e. April 11 provides for the uninterrupted continuation of several flexibilities that have protected beneficiary access to important services in as safe and effective manner as possible.​​

HHS will also continue to waive the three-day hospital stay rule that causes many seniors to be strapped with out-of-pocket costs in the thousands because they do not qualify for Medicare coverage. AHCA continues​ to advocate to eliminate this confusing and devastating policy barrier altogether.

 

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.

READ MORE

 

 

December 22: #GetVaccinated Handout

AHCA/NCAL has developed a new #GetVaccinated handout to help long term care staff discuss the value of the bivalent booster with their residents and their family members.

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.

READ MORE

 

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.

READ MORE

 

 

 

December 14: HRSA Begins Provider Relief Fund Repayment Notification

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) began transmitting emails to providers who, based on Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Period 1 submissions, will be receiving a Repayment Request Notice via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). In guidance to AHCA/NCAL, HRSA noted:
  • 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.

READ MORE

 

 

ACCESS IDH GUIDANCE & RESOURCES

Testing Guidance & Updates


Ordering Testing Supplies – Langham Portal

Latest Updates

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.

IDH Guidance & Resources


Weekly Webinars


Upcoming Webinar | March 23, 2023 from 12-1 p.m. EST

IHCA/INCAL staff host weekly webinars to answer your questions and provide guidance to all long term care providers across the state.  IHCA/INCAL will connect you with the IDH and other key partners to keep you informed on current, immediate and important issues to our industry. Frequent guest speakers include key persons from the IDH, QSource, and Probari. If you miss the weekly update, you can access the meeting recordings and handouts which are posted below.

HOW TO JOIN THE WEBINAR

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+1 463-900-4253, 240786210#    United States, Indianapolis

Find a local number | Reset PIN

Webinar Recordings and Handouts

March 23, 2023

ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT

ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING

 

March 16, 2023

ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT

ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING

 

March 9, 2023

ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT

ACCESS pre-implementation tool

ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING

 

To access archive recordings of the webinars, please click here.

Payment & Reimbursement Resources


General Resources

Medicare

Medicaid

Federal Reporting Requirements


Regulatory Requirements

Resources

NHSN Reporting

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

Using and Conserving PPE

Vendors

Archive Updates


access archive updates here

 

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