April 18th COVID-19 Update
New updates pertaining to the COVID-19 emergency continue to be announced by both the state and federal government on a regular basis. The latest developments for providers of long-term/post-acute care (LTPAC) and senior services are outlined below.
As a reminder, LeadingAge NY continues to convene weekly webinars on Mondays at 11 a.m. to address emerging questions on COVID-19. A recording of our most recent webinar, held on April 17th, is available here, and a list of the items shared by LeadingAge NY staff in the webinar chat can be accessed here. If you have questions for next week’s update or would like the access information, please contact Jeff Diamond.
Cross-Sector Updates
HHS Announces End of COVID-19 HIPAA Flexibilities for Telehealth
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) announced last week that the enforcement discretion it has exercised with respect to the use of non-compliant telehealth communications platforms will expire on May 11th, along with the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). However, OCR will continue to exercise enforcement discretion for a 90-day transition period, until Aug. 9th, to give providers an opportunity to bring their telehealth services to compliant communications platforms. Click here for more information.
HRSA Accepting Late PRF Reporting Requests
As it has done following prior Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting deadlines, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting requests for late report submissions for Reporting Period 4. Late reporting requests are limited to those who may have missed the March 31, 2023 deadline due to specific extenuating circumstances listed on the dedicated late filing request webpage. Those organizations that received over $10,000 in PRF and/or American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural funding in the second half of 2021 but failed to report on that funding by March 31st due to a qualifying extenuating circumstance can submit a request between April 17th and 28th to file a late report. Providers who are approved to report late will receive a notification informing them when they may submit their report via the PRF Reporting Portal. The projected dates for the submission of Reporting Period 4 late reports are May 15th to June 2, 2023. Complete information is here.
Reporting Period 5, which covers funding received in the first half of 2022, opens on July 1, 2023. The most current notice of reporting requirements updated April 7th is available here.
Nursing Home Updates
DOH Reminds Nursing Homes of New CMS QSO Outlining Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies
On April 17th, the Department of Health (DOH) issued an Integrated Health Alerting and Notification System (IHANS) alert reminding nursing homes that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has rescinded memorandum QSO-20-31-ALL, the Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies, and replaced it with QSO-23-10-NH, revised guidance for Strengthened Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies. Click here for more information.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Updates
LeadingAge NY Advocates for Passive Screening Guidance for Home Care Staff
LeadingAge NY, along with our colleagues at the Home Care Association of New York State (HCA), recently asked new DOH HCBS Division Director Dr. Thomas Bathrick for flexibility for home care providers on daily COVID-19 staff screening requirements. The request follows the recent DOH guidance issued on the March 17th Health Advisory that rescinded active COVID-19 screening for nursing home visitors and staff. Click here for more information.
Affordable Housing/Independent Living Updates
HUD to Host Webinar on Expiration of COVID-19 Emergency and Impact on HUD-Assisted Residents
Important changes are underway to COVID-19-related policies, including those affecting health care and emergency allotments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Join the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), CMS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH) for a new webinar to learn more about how these changes will impact residents of HUD-assisted housing.
The webinar will take place on Wed., April 19th from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. Read more and register here.