March 7th 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 March 6th, 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
New Research Shows Benefits for CCRC, Senior Living Residents Versus General Community
New research funded by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC) and conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago shows that people living in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) were “significantly safer from dying of COVID-19” than older adults living in the community at large, and residents of independent living, assisted living, and memory care properties were as safe or nearly as safe, once COVID-19 vaccines became available. In addition, living in any type of senior housing was found to be safer than living in a long-stay skilled nursing facility both before and after vaccines became available. Click here for more information.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)/Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) Updates
Distribution of eFMAP Funding to PACE Programs Detailed
The Department of Health (DOH) detailed its plans for distributing $40 million in enhanced federal Medicaid matching funds (eFMAP) to PACE programs in a meeting last week. The funds will be distributed to nine PACE organizations, with $20 million divided evenly among the organizations and $20 million distributed proportionally based on the number of PACE centers each operates. All funds must be spent by March 31, 2024. Click here for more information.