Latest on testing in SNFs. The state's mandatory testing program, outlined in last Thursday's COVID-19 Update, has not yet begun, although Governor Mike DeWine announced it during his press conference today. He dubbed the initiative Congregate Care Unified Response Teams, and it does involve the National Guard taking swabs. It will cover all staff and selected patients in SNFs. Assisted living and ICFs/IID are not covered. The Health Department (ODH) released this fact sheet on the testing plan.
While today's press conference was going on, State Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran held a video conference with a few of us to provide some additional details. While many aspects of the program remain to be finalized, Director Corcoran said pilot testing in a few (roughly 10) centers will occur Thursday and Friday, followed by a webinar for all SNFs spelling out next steps based on learning from the pilot facilities. The state is developing protocols for such things as return to work for positive staff and payment for the tests. Director Corcoran said the protocols will be shared on the webinar, and the associations will be able to review drafts before they are finalized. At this time, though, we have no definitive answers many of the questions on members' minds.
Further delay of PRF compliance deadline; more FAQs. On Friday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended the deadline for providers who received payments from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) officially to accept or to reject the money. HHS added 45 days to the separate deadlines for agreeing to the Terms and Conditions for each separate payment. Although not mentioned in the HHS press release, presumably the extension also applies to the financial information providers must submit. HHS included the following additional statement in the portion of the press release listing the various PRF payments: "[s]ome providers may receive further, separate funding, including dentists, and providers that solely take Medicaid."
HHS continues to add to the list of frequently-asked questions (FAQ) on the PRF, doing so three days in a row last week. Most of the new answers pertain to various scenarios in which the company receiving the payment acquired or divested provider entities. Please review the FAQ carefully if this could apply to you.
Revised Adult Day Support, Vocational Habilitation guidance. The Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) released updated guidance for Adult Day providers, which most notably contains a revised Provider Assurance Form and Symptom Monitoring Log. Changes from the previous version of the Provider Assurance Form include requiring DODD to complete a virtual tour, allowing 6-foot temporary walls in lieu of floor-to-ceiling walls, and no longer requiring gowns or goggles for personal care, along with other minor changes. In addition, DODD amended its guidance on the Start Toward Emerging Possibilities (STEP) service to prohibit billing STEP services on the same day as Adult Day Support or Vocational Habilitation in a provider setting.
AHCA discusses NHSN reporting. As the May 31 end of the grace period for reporting of COVID-19 cases and other information to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) approaches, AHCA posted a newsletter that includes the latest information and advice on this topic. As things stand today, SNFs that do not report by June 7 will be fined. The AHCA report addresses technical issues with registering and reporting.
Local health departments, employee quarantines, and CDC guidance. We have heard from a number of members about situations in which local health departments issued directives sidelining employees under various circumstances that do not comport with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines or that reflect an overly strict interpretation of the guidelines. Unfortunately, under Ohio's long-standing home rule philosophy, local government entities, including local health departments, have considerable authority to exercise police powers within their jurisdictions. ODH has limited ability to force local health departments to toe the line, but may be able to persuade. OHCA can try to assist members in these cases, so please continue to let us know about them. As the state moves forward with its mandatory staff testing program, we will continue to emphasize that a uniform return-to-work policy the locals will honor is essential.
July 1 vent rates published. This is not a COVID-19-related topic, but we know members with ventilator units are very interested in the rates. Each year, the Department of Medicaid recalculates them using new data. For dates of service beginning July 1, 2020, the Medicaid rates will be $972.46 for chronic vent care and $1,166.95 for weaning, unless the SNF is subject to the 5% ventilator-associated pneumonia penalty. See the ODM fact sheet for additional information on the rates and billing codes.
Free COVID-19-related employee appreciation webinar. In a free webinar to be offered on June 2 at 10:00 a.m., Denise Boudreau-Scott will offer tips on how to recognize employees for stellar performance during this difficult time without crossing the line. Use this link to register.