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Today, the Office of Long-Term Living’s (OLTL) Bureau of Human Licensing (BHSL) sent the following notice to providers regarding the resumption of annual on-site inspections.

Per the attached Resumption of Annual Inspections During the COVID-19 Pandemic, The Office of Long-Term Living’s Bureau of Human Licensing (BHSL) has resumed annual renewal on-site inspections effective October 5, 2020.

In accordance with CDC guidance, and the Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Long-Term Care Facilities to Implement Measures for Use and Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment, BHSL Licensing Representatives will be reviewing the following practices during their on-site inspections and may cite a violation if warranted:

Universal Masking

  1. Staff, including Direct Care Staff, must always wear a facemask while they are in the facility.
  2. PCH and ALR staff must also wear facemask outside where staff are unable to maintain the 6-foot social distance.
  3. Implement universal masking for everyone entering a facility (e.g., direct care staff, residents, visitors), regardless of symptoms.
  4. Residents may remove their cloth face covering/facemask when in their rooms but should put them back on when leaving their room or when others (e.g., staff, visitors) enter the room.
  5. The availability of respirator masks and ability to arrange fit-testing in the event that a resident tests positive within the facility.

Screening

  1. Screen residents and staff for fever and respiratory symptoms (using a checklist for employees such as the one developed by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living or as described by the CDC.
  2. Staff should be screened at the beginning of every shift. Test staff who screen positive.
  3. Residents should be screened at least daily and test any resident who exhibits fever or symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
  4. Actively screen everyone for fever and symptoms of COVID-19 before they enter the facility.

Reporting

  1. The COVID-19 Data Collection Tool is utilized to report positive test results for staff and residents, and deaths related to COVID-19 for cases identified 8/28/20 or later.
    COVID-19 Data Collection Tool User Guide
  1. The COVID-19 Tracker tool is submitted for all positive results received for staff or residents, and deaths related to COVID-19 prior to 8/28/20.
    Facility COVID-19 Tracker

If you have any questions, please contact your regional office.

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HRSA

Dear Stakeholder,

Thank you for your interest in the Provider Relief Fund as administered by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) via the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). As you may be aware, HHS recently made $20 billion in new funding available for a Phase 3 General Distribution allocation, and the Provider Relief Fund would like your help to reach as many providers as possible.   More information about this distribution can be found in our press release, and by registering for our webcast on October 15 at 3 p.m. ET.

We have created a stakeholder toolkit so interested parties can easily share this funding opportunity with their networks nationwide. In this toolkit, you will find newsletter and email content, social media posts and images, information about next week’s webinar, and also helpful resources for applicants.

For more information, visit the following website: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/general-information/stakeholder-toolkit/index.html.

Thank you for sharing,
Provider Relief Fund Team

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New recoupment terms allow providers and suppliers one additional year to start loan payments.

CMS announced amended terms for payments issued under the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program as required by recent action by President Trump and Congress. This Medicare loan program allows CMS to make advance payments to providers, which are typically used in emergency situations. Under the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, repayment will now begin one year from the issuance date of each provider or supplier’s accelerated or advance payment. CMS issued $106 billion in payments to providers and suppliers in order to alleviate the financial burden health care providers faced while experiencing cash flow issues in the early stages of combating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency.

“In the throes of an unprecedented pandemic, providers and suppliers on the frontlines needed a lifeline to help keep them afloat,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “CMS’ advanced payments were loans given to providers and suppliers to avoid having to close their doors and potentially causing a disruption in service for seniors. While we are seeing patients return to hospitals and doctors providing care we are not yet back to normal,” she added.

CMS expanded the AAP Program on March 28, 2020, and gave these loans to health care providers and suppliers in order to combat the financial burden of the pandemic. CMS successfully paid more than 22,000 Part A providers, totaling more than $98 billion in accelerated payments. This included payments to Part A providers for Part B items and services they furnished. In addition, more than 28,000 Part B suppliers, including doctors, non-physician practitioners, and durable medical equipment suppliers received advance payments totaling more than $8.5 billion.

Providers were required to make payments starting in August of this year, but with this action, repayment will be delayed until one year after payment was issued. After that first year, Medicare will automatically recoup 25% of Medicare payments otherwise owed to the provider or supplier for 11 months. At the end of the 11-month period, recoupment will increase to 50% for another 6 months. If the provider or supplier is unable to repay the total amount of the AAP during this time-period (a total of 29 months), CMS will issue letters requiring repayment of any outstanding balance, subject to an interest rate of 4%.

The letter also provides guidance on how to request an Extended Repayment Schedule (ERS) for providers and suppliers who are experiencing financial hardships. An ERS is a debt installment payment plan that allows a provider or supplier to pay debts over the course of 3 years, or, up to 5 years in the case of extreme hardship. Providers and suppliers are encouraged to contact their MAC for information on how to request an ERS. To allow even more flexibility in paying back the loans, the $175 billion issued in Provider Relief funds can be used towards repayment of these Medicare loans. CMS will be communicating with each provider and supplier in the coming weeks as to the repayment terms and amounts owed as applicable for any accelerated or advance payment issued.

For More Information:

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2020

Harrisburg, PA – Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today discussed the measures Pennsylvania is taking to protect individuals with autism, intellectual and physical disabilities and older Pennsylvanians as the COVID-19 crisis continues. She also urged Pennsylvanians to continue to diligently follow public-health guidance in order to protect vulnerable Pennsylvanians who may be more at risk of complications if they develop COVID-19.

“We know that COVID-19 is an especially serious threat and can jeopardize the health of individuals with disabilities, so protecting our most vulnerable neighbors is a collective effort,” said Secretary Miller. “DHS has been doing everything in our power to ensure that the supports that we provide continue uninterrupted. But as we begin to enter winter and flu season alongside an ever-changing public health crisis, I want to reiterate that our continued success in the fight against COVID-19 relies on each of us doing all we can, such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, to protect those we know and those we don’t.”

Samantha Dorm, a York County mother whose 19-year-old son Michael Graff is recovering from COVID-19, echoed Secretary Miller’s call for the public to consider the effect their actions can have on vulnerable individuals. Michael has Down syndrome and autism.

“Protecting vulnerable people like my son is a responsibility that each of us carries. If nothing else, the COVID-19 crisis has made it clear that we are all truly connected and dependent on one another. But when people are unwilling to be flexible and make inconvenient changes to their lives – like wearing a mask at the grocery store or avoiding large gatherings – it can cost lives, though it may not be their own,” Dorm said. “The only way we can mitigate the long-term impact of the virus on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is to embrace the concept of shared responsibility and coordinated action. We are all in this together.”

DHS administers Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program, which helps more than 3 million Pennsylvanians access health care. About 17 percent – or roughly 480,000 people – are individuals with disabilities. These Pennsylvanians access health care and other assistive services primarily through DHS’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL).

Office of Developmental Programs

ODP supports more than 56,000 individuals with an intellectual disability, developmental disability, or autism — a population that is particularly high risk for contracting COVID-19. ODP is responsible for regulating more than 7,500 licensed settings across the commonwealth.

ODP has adjusted policies to ensure continuity of services during the health crisis and has received flexibilities from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow for:

  • Expanding services that relatives can provide,
  • Expanding services that can be offered remotely, and
  • Expanded settings where services can be provided to ensure adequate quarantine and isolation space when needed.

DHS has also worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to develop and provide extensive guidance and technical assistance to our providers of community participation supports or ‘day programs’ in order to re-open these facilities. This has allowed for thousands of people to return to services during the day and provides them with enriching activities aimed at promoting health and wellness.

Office of Long-Term Living

OLTL supports individuals with physical disabilities and older adults many who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid with their long-term care needs. This includes more than 371,000 Pennsylvanians who receive long-term services and supports through the Community HealthChoices program and more than 65,000 Pennsylvanians who live in more than 1,200 personal care homes and assisted living residences regulated and licensed by OLTL.

OLTL has ensured that no participant is to be disenrolled from Medicaid, even if they have not completed their eligibility redetermination application. OLTL continues to work with managed care organizations (MCOs) to ensure all necessary services are in place.

It has also received flexibilities from CMS to allow for:

  • Personal protective equipment to be added to a person’s service plan,
  • Services such as counseling or cognitive rehabilitation therapy to be provided virtually, and
  • MCOs to assess clients either telephonically or in person.

OLTL has also adhered to the Department of Aging’s reopening guidance for adult day care centers and the LIFE program. As adult day service providers begin to reopen in parts of the state, participants are given the choice to attend these programs or receive services in their homes.

As flu season approaches, DHS is reminding all Pennsylvanians to get flu shots, especially given the additional risk of COVID-19. DHS will continue to follow guidance coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health to ensure the continuity of care and protections for the communities it serves.

Secretary Miller acknowledged October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which reinforces the value and talent that people with disabilities add to workplaces and communities and affirms Pennsylvania’s commitment to being an inclusive community. Pennsylvanians with disabilities who are interested in employment should connect with the Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation or visit ODP’s www.myodp.org and click “Resources” and select “Employment” for various resources. DHS’ employment services are still available to assist people who are working or seeking work, and many of these services can be provided remotely.

“As the economy recovers, it is absolutely critical to ensure that people with disabilities are able take part in that recovery. Workplaces should examine their policies to see which ones are outdated or intentionally or unintentionally excluding individuals with disabilities. They should also actively develop and promote specific employment opportunities for people with disabilities,” said Secretary Miller.

For more information visit www.dhs.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: Erin James, [email protected]

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Message from Kevin Dressler

Election/ Voting

The deadline to register and also submit for mail in ballots for the upcoming general election is rapidly coming upon us. I wanted to send out the link to the Voting in PA website for any information you need to assist the people you support to be prepared to vote in the upcoming election, if they desire to do so. The deadline to register to vote is October 19 and this can be completed online. Mail in ballots need to be received at the respective election district by 5pm on October 27. The applications for voter registration and the mail in ballot application can be found at the following link: www.votespa.com. I have also included CMS guidance surrounding voting that was issued to nursing homes on this topic as a reference. I not aware of any specific guidance from CMS issued to the ICFs at this time on this subject. Please make every effort to support the people we serve in voting if they desire to do so in the general election on November 3.

CLIA Waiver

The ODP Regional ICF leads are going to be reaching out to determine which ICFs have a CLIA waiver to provide on site testing and what can be tested under the approved waiver. Please respond promptly to their request.

Secretary of Health Order on PPE

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Department of Health Secretary’s Order Directing Long-Term Care Facilities to Implement Measures for Use and Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment.

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October 7, 2020

ODP Medical Director Gregory Cherpes, MD issued the following alert. Flu season is quickly approaching, and as we continue to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19, guarding yourself from the flu is more important than ever.

A flu vaccine is the best way to prevent yourself from getting the flu and protects your family, friends, co-workers, patients, and everyone you meet. Like COVID-19, the flu can be extremely dangerous for people with co-occurring medical conditions and other health vulnerabilities. Getting a flu shot is a small step to protect yourself and everyone you encounter as we enter an even more dangerous flu season.

Both the flu shot, and nasal spray are recommended options to protect yourself from the flu. They can be found at your doctor’s office, pharmacies, walk-in clinics, and grocery stores. Flu vaccines are already available at many places around Pennsylvania.

These vaccines are free if you have health insurance. The Pennsylvania Department of Health also provides flu shots for individuals who need them. It is recommended that individuals first check with their health care provider regarding getting the flu vaccine, and if you or someone you know still needs t a flu shot call 877-PA-HEALTH or 877-724-3258.

The symptoms of the flu are like those of COVID-19. People sick with the flu may experience fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, or vomiting and diarrhea. As we move through flu season, health care providers must be mindful of this overlap and should test people experiencing symptoms for both the flu and COVID-19.

We must remain diligent and protect ourselves and those around us from the threat of COVID-19 and the seasonal flu. Please continue to regularly clean frequently touched surfaces, wash your hands thoroughly, and if you need to cough, cough into a tissue or your elbow. If you are sick, stay home. Wearing a mask will help prevent the spread of both COVID-19 and the flu, so continue to wear a mask if you are able, practice social distancing, and help us stop the spread of COVID-19 and the flu.

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The Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) is preparing to launch its special recruitment initiative, Direct Care Works. The website is already live, with the social media component set to start October 26. This pilot project focuses on Allegheny County and some of the surrounding regions, and includes a job portal for RCPA members and partners to list job openings that potential applicants can review for opportunities. The job portal can be accessed through the Direct Care Works official site and is also available directly here.

The Direct Care Works job portal will be open to all RCPA members, and we would like to include your organization in this part of the initiative, along with a soon to be released Direct Care Works Toolkit to bolster and support your current recruitment efforts.

We encourage RCPA members who may have openings to contact us through this email to be included on the job portal. The information we will need is as follows:

  • Organization’s name and one line program description (see job portal for examples)
  • List of counties where your programs are operated
  • Contact person
  • Website link where potential candidates can view organization information and employment openings

If you have questions, please contact RCPA Children’s Division Director Jim Sharp.

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The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was created to assist providers with COVID-19 related costs incurred between March 1, 2020 and November 30, 2020 that have not been otherwise reimbursed by Federal, State or other source of funding. Any person or entity accepting a COVID-19 payment must provide documentation to the Department of Human Services (DHS) for purposes of determining compliance with Act 24 requirements. This will be your opportunity to ask questions that have emerged in your use of the DHS Act 24 reporting form previously distributed by the Office of Developmental Programs.

Link to Register for this session
October 14
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Link to Register for this Session
October 16
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Virtual Office Hours (VOH) provide attendees an opportunity to interact and ask questions related to a specific topic. They occur one time and are not recorded or posted onto MyODP.

Pre-registration is required. Please use the link above to register for the session. Once registered, you will receive an email with instructions describing how to participate including a new link to join the training. You can join the audio portion of the webinar by telephone or computer.

For questions please email: [email protected]

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