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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 during this public health emergency. Visit this webpage daily to access the latest updates.
Yesterday, U.S. Supreme Court stayed the preliminary injunctions against enforcement of the CMS interim final rule, meaning that CMS can enforce its Vaccine Mandate in states previously exempted due to the stay, with the exception of Texas.
Today, 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.
The U.S. Supreme Court today i.e. Jan. 13, 2022, issued opinions in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) vaccination requirement cases.
The bottom line is as follows:
These medications are authorized only for those with mild to moderate illness in individuals with confirmed COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression, are not hospitalized, and are within five days of symptom onset. They are NOT for pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis. These treatments are in very limited supply and require a prescription. A prescription does not guarantee the medication will be available.
On January 5, 2022, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP) announced that the temporary 6% increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for Indiana nursing facilities that attest to being COVID-19 Ready has been extended through January 31st, 2022.
CMS has shared a set of FAQs to clarify and update information related to its visitation memo posted in November. The FAQs can be found on the cms.gov emergencies page and has also been amended to the end of this document: QSO-20-39-NH Revised (cms.gov).
Due to concerns about increased transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, this guidance is being updated to enhance protection for healthcare personnel (HCP), patients, and visitors and to address concerns about potential impacts on the healthcare system given a surge of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has provided updated information on the status of Provider Relief Funds (PRF) Phase 4 and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Payments. Topics include size of Phase 4 awards, additional detail on Phase 4 methodology, update on hospital funds transfer to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and updated timelines regarding receipt of funds and provider requests for individualized support.
Reporting Period 2 began on January 1, 2022 and the extended Reporting Period 1 ended on December 20, 2021. No additional Reporting Period 1 extensions will be offered. Due to technical difficulties during the Reporting Period 1 dates, HRSA urges providers to submit as soon as possible.
The Indiana Department of Health has released a new resource related to the multiple COVID-19 treatments with key recommendations for therapies including the new antiviral medications that can be taken orally at a person home. Not all treatments can be therapeutic for everyone and using the guide will help providers in identifying appropriate treatment.
The use of new “at home” antiviral medications have a very limited supply, and a prescription does not guarantee the medication will be available. A residents healthcare provider might recommend one of the new antiviral medications to help relieve symptoms during a COVID-19 infection.
On December 29, 2021, Governor Eric Holcomb issued Executive Order 21-33 and Executive Order 21-34, which extends Indiana’s public health emergency until February 1, 2022. Indiana’s public health emergency was set to expire on January 1, 2022 and can be extended in 30-day increments at a time under state law. On October 15, 2021, the federal public health emergency was been extended through mid-January 2022 and any decision to allow the PHE to lapse would come with 60 days of notice.
Due to the increased transmissibility of Omicron and concerns abouts potential impacts on the healthcare system, CDC has updated recommendations to assist with maintaining appropriate healthcare personnel (HCP) staffing in healthcare facilities and providing a safe work and care environment.
On December 27, 2021 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) withdrew non-record keeping portions of the healthcare Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) that were issued in June 2021. This action has two significant impacts: (1) Continued OSHA enforcement of the general duty clause, PPE Standard, and Respiratory Standard and (2) the application of the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate to healthcare services and healthcare support services, including Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) today announced updates to their guidance on Managing Health Care Personnel with COVID-19 Infection or Exposure. This new guidance provides a shortened return to work criteria for both infections and exposure that incorporates a testing strategy in some circumstances.
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 .” The American Health Care Association/ National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) and other associations have been advocating for clarity and flexibility on the most recent visitation guidance, particularly as the Omicron variant spreads across the United States this holiday season, when visits are frequent.
AHCA/NCAL has highlighted the most frequent questions from members in CMS’s four-page FAQs. We encourage providers to read the document in its entirety.
Following on previous updates concerning COVID-19 Ready Status and the designation of that status in EMResources, we encourage you to update EMResources and plan for ongoing maintenance of that designation. Indiana’s hospitals have been heavy users of EMResources and view it as a go-to and accurate database of health care system capabilities and needs. As hospitals search for post-acute capacity IHCA has worked with Indiana hospitals, the Indiana Hospital Association, and IDOH to triage urgent placement needs. Hospitals often go to EMResources first, or early, in their process to find placement during times of high COVID-19 demand.
In Bulletin 202103, Indiana Medicaid announced that the 2021 ACP criteria would be the same as 2020. Meeting the criteria will impact the Nursing Facility Total Quality Score for Medicaid rates effective July 1, 2022. A total of 5 points will be awarded to nursing facility providers that have one or two employees (who have not previously completed the training) complete the Level I ACP training program.
IDOH has purchased QuickVue Rapid COVID-19 tests to supplement the state’s supply of rapid antigen tests. Long-term care facilities must now begin ordering QuickVue tests on the Langham Portal rather than BinaxNOW to receive rapid test materials. These items will be available for ordering on the Langham IDOH Inventory Portal starting December 15. Facilities that have orders placed in HOLD status for BinaxNOW will be provided QuickVue next week based upon approved allocations.
IHCA/INCAL has developed this page to list relevant COVID-19 vaccine resources. As we receive more information, we will continue to update this page with latest information.
As of April 15 the Indiana Department of Health will be unable to participate in the webinars on a weekly basis. However, IHCA/INCAL staff will continue to host the webinars to answer your questions and provide guidance. IHCA/INCAL will engage IDOH on issues that cannot be answered during each webinar and also plan with IDOH on the times that they can participate in some of the webinars.
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
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January 13, 2022
January 6, 2022
December 30, 2021
December 23, 2021
December 16, 2021
December 9, 2021
December 2, 2021
November 18, 2021
To access archive recordings of the webinars, please click here.
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.
Coordinate account registration with your facility administrator. We recommend designating at least two individuals that can track and input data into EMResource.
IHCA/INCAL Contact: Zach Cattell| zcatell@ihca.org
June 28: OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard for Health Care Workers
March 31: OSHA Releases Respiratory Protection Guidance for LTCFs
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.
Coordinate account registration with your facility administrator. We recommend designating at least two individuals that can track and input data into EMResource.
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