In This COVID-19 Update:
- Where to Turn for Help
- Updates to Provider Relief Fund Website
- Survey Suspension Continues
- Administrator Exams
- CMS Call “Lessons from the Front Lines” Tomorrow
Where to Turn for Help
AHCA/NCAL has developed brief guidance for facilities facing PPE and staffing shortages, as well as other challenges in receiving assistance. It is critically important that you raise the alarm and you document your efforts to obtain support.
Updates to Provider Relief Fund Website
The federal government has added an attestation portal to the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund website. Providers who have been allocated a payment from the initial $30 billion general distribution must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agree to the terms and conditions within 30 days of payment.
Additionally, the federal government has clarified that relief funds are available to all providers regardless of whether they have specifically treated COVID-19, noting that the government “broadly views every patient as a possible case of COVID-19.”
AHCA/NCAL has updated our FAQs on the Provider Relief Fund on this new development with some additional info.
Suspension of Standard Surveys Continues
CMS announced on its national call with nursing homes on April 15 that the suspension of standard surveys will continue until further notice. This means the CMS guidance released on March 23 has been extended until CMS states otherwise. CMS will continue to conduct surveys for immediate jeopardy situations and additional infection control focused surveys using this tool.
Use this tool to perform self-assessments of your infection control policies, plans, and practices, including visitor entry and screening; infection surveillance; education, monitoring, and screening of staff; handwashing, donning and doffing of PPE, and other transmission-based precautions. You can find additional information to help you with AHCA’s Action Brief and on ahcancalED.
Surveyors entering the building should bring their own PPE; be sure to screen surveyors as you would any visitor to the building, which now includes temperature checks. Surveyors should spend as little time onsite as possible for these surveys and are instructed not to investigate routine issues.
Long Term Care Administrator Exams
National Administrator Board (NAB) exams are now available as of April 14, 2020 and are considered an essential business need. Testing centers and dates are still somewhat limited, but candidates can go to the PSI scheduling site as they normally would following the link in their approval letters, and they will be able to see what sites and dates are available. This information is now posted on the NAB website.
CMS Call “Lessons on the Front Lines: COVID-19” Tomorrow (Friday)
This call series is an opportunity to hear physicians and other clinical leaders share their experiences, best practices, strategies, and insights related to COVID-19.
Lessons from The Front Lines calls are held weekly on Fridays at 12:30 PM Eastern.
CMS Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19
Friday, April 17th, 12:30 – 2:00 PM Eastern
Participant Dial-In: (877) 251-0301
Access Code: 8672948
Join via Audio Webcast
Conference lines are limited, so it is highly encouraged that you join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser.
Please email COVID19@ahca.org for additional questions, or visit ahcancal.org/coronavirus for more information.
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