Feb. 8th COVID-19 Update
New COVID-19-related updates for providers of long-term/post-acute care (LTPAC) and senior services continue to be shared on a regular basis by both state and federal authorities. The latest developments are discussed 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 Feb. 7th, 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
DOH Issues Updated Return to Work Guidance
The Department of Health (DOH) released new return to work guidance on Feb. 4th for nursing homes, adult care facilities (ACFs), home care, hospice, diagnostic and treatment centers, and other health care providers. Click here for more information.
DOH Addresses Booster Questions in State Vaccine Mandate FAQ Document
DOH has issued additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the State vaccine mandate regarding the recent booster requirement for health care personnel (HCP). Click here for more information.
Answers to Your Questions About Board Members and the COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate
LeadingAge NY members have asked whether the COVID-19 vaccination mandate applies to board members. Click here for some clarification.
Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine for 18+ Officially Approved by FDA and CDC
On Jan. 31st, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older. The FDA announcement is available here. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be known as Spikevax on the private market. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have also approved the vaccine. Final approval comes after an exhaustive review of the scientific evidence demonstrating safety and effectiveness. Individuals who have been waiting for this approval process to conclude should now have the confidence they need to regard the vaccine as safe and effective.
Provider Relief Reconsideration
Providers wishing to have their Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments reconsidered should know that that option is now available. Providers can submit their reconsideration application any time prior to 11:59 p.m. on May 2nd. Click here for more information.
Nursing Home and ACF/Assisted Living (AL) Updates
DOH to Host Educational Webinar on Booster Vaccines in Nursing Homes and ACFs
DOH invites providers to register for a webinar, Booster Vaccines in Nursing Home and Adult Care Facilities: Tracking and Documentation, to be held on Wed., Feb. 9th from 1 to 2 p.m. Click here to register.
The webinar will review State booster data, discuss COVID-19 tracking logs, identify ways to increase booster vaccine uptake, review the needs for the booster vaccine, identify a process to ensure proper vaccine assessment and documentation, and discuss other considerations. The webinar will be recorded if you are unable to attend at the scheduled time.
NYC DOHMH to Host COVID-19 Booster Webinar for Nursing Home Staff and Caregivers
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) is hosting a free informational session on COVID-19 boosters for NYC nursing home staff and resident families and caregivers on Tues., Feb. 15th from 7 to 8 p.m. The registration link and a scannable QR code are embedded in this flyer. NYC DOHMH will be recording the session and is encouraging facilities to consider playing it for visitors in their common spaces.
NYC DOHMH is also interested in the need to host this session and provide flyers in other languages to help support facilities’ booster efforts. Members should email Danielle Sollecito at dlucas@health.nyc.gov with their specific language needs.
NYC DOHMH hosted a separate webinar for resident caregivers on COVID-19 boosters on Feb. 3rd; the recording can be accessed here and will be available until Feb. 11th. The access passcode is sQ%vrC5Y.
LeadingAge NY Successfully Advocates for ACFs to Receive Tests and Continues to Urge for Funding
LeadingAge NY had been pushing the State to provide ACFs with test kits, and we are pleased that we were successful. Click here for more information on the use of these tests, as well as our advocacy for COVID-19 relief funding for ACFs.
Additional Details for Nursing Homes on National Guard Deployment
As members are aware, the National Guard is being deployed to assist nursing homes that have indicated need due to staffing shortages. LeadingAge NY received some answers to common questions regarding the deployment; click here for more information.
New CDC Guidance on Infection Prevention and Up-to-Date Vaccination Status
The CDC has issued new guidance on infection prevention and up-to-date status in vaccination to qualify for exemption from transmission-based precautions (TBP) and certain infection control measures. Click here for more information.
Community Transmission Rates and Implications for Nursing Home Staff Testing and Quarantine Time
As COVID-19 positivity rates begin to drop, nursing homes should remain aware of community transmission rates and their impact on routine staff testing and quarantine time. The frequency of COVID-19 staff testing is based on the facility’s county level of community transmission. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) seven-day county transmission rates are updated on the LeadingAge NY website twice monthly and can be found here. Each New York State county is currently experiencing a high level of community transmission risk, which would initiate twice-weekly testing for all personnel who are not yet fully vaccinated. Facilities should also understand that they can choose to use a risk-based approach for determining which residents require quarantine upon admission if the facility is in a county with a low community transmission level.
CMS Updates Entrance Conference Document for Survey
Multiple COVID-19-related updates have been made to the Entrance Conference Worksheet that is provided to the administrator upon the survey team entering the nursing home for survey. The changes are broken down by section here.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)/Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) Updates
DOH Instructs Medicaid Managed Care Plans to Continue Performing Reassessments
On Feb. 8th, DOH again extended the guidance document titled Rescission of Updated COVID-19 Guidance for the Authorization of Community Based Long Term Services and Supports Covered by Medicaid to instruct plans to continue reassessment activities until instructed by DOH to cease. While the original transition guidance was issued in July 2021 to provide details on what steps were to be taken to begin returning to pre-emergency status for various topic areas, the Feb. 8th guidance extends the guidance for plans and local departments of social services (LDSSs) on continuing to conduct periodic reassessments. Click here for more information.