HCAM/MCAL Member Update - Provider Relief Fund, Testing, AFC & HFA Reporting, SNF Infection Control Grants

Updated Reporting Requirements to the Provider Relief Fund

Yesterday, October 22, 2020 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced changes to the reporting requirements and expanded the types of providers who could apply for Provider Relief Funds.

Key takeaways from the announcement include:

HHS is returning to its previous definition of lost revenue, a decrease from 2019 revenue, rather than using the September 19 version which would have capped funds to a facility's 2019 net revenue.
HHS has created new flexibility around reporting at the parent and subsidiary level.
HHS now is allowing private pay ALs to apply for Phase 3 awards.

"In response to concerns raised, HHS is amending the reporting instructions to increase flexibility around how providers can apply PRF money toward lost revenues attributable to coronavirus. After reimbursing healthcare related expenses attributable to coronavirus that were unreimbursed by other sources, providers may use remaining PRF funds to cover any lost revenue, measured as a negative change in year-over-year actual revenue from patient care related sources."

All Phase 3 applicants will have until 11:59PM EST on November 6, 2020 to submit their applications for payment consideration.

For more information, check the resources included below:

Read the HHS Press Release
Download the policy memorandum on the reporting requirement decision
Download the amended reporting requirements guidance

For updates and to learn more about the Provider Relief Program, visit: hhs.gov/providerrelief.

NHSN POC Antigen Testing Now Required

Yesterday evening, AHCA/NCAL was informed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that reporting of Point of Care (POC) antigen test results to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) will now be mandatory. The June 4th HHS memo on laboratory testing has now been updated (see page 2) to state:

"#4 CMS-certified long term care facilities shall submit point-of-care COVID-19 testing data, including antigen testing data, to CDC's NHSN."

CMS verbally indicated to us that this new requirement goes into effect immediately, however they will exercise enforcement discretion until November 20, 2020. To access this new reporting module, facilities must upgrade from SAMS Level-1 to Level-3 access.

Many providers have already upgraded to SAMS Level-3 access, however if you have not done so already, HCAM recommends you request the expanded access as soon as possible.

If you have not already started the upgrade process, please follow the instructions below:

Have two forms of identification ready to submit.
Log into SAMS and use the Update Profile menu option on the left side of the page. Confirm that your home mailing address is correct and current within your SAMS profile.
Ensure that your name and address match how it appears on your submitted identification (such as your state issued driver's license).
Once you submit your identification, SAMS must confirm your identity. Once confirmed, SAMS will send you a "Welcome to SAMS" email as well as a SAMS Grid Card mailed to hour residential/home address via USPS mail. The SAMS Grid Card permits LEVEL-3 access to NHSN.
After receiving your SAMS grid card via USPS mail, you must login to SAMS. Underneath the National Healthcare Safety Network System header select "NHSN Reporting" link. NOTE: Do NOT access NHSN LTC Reporting as this option will direct you back to Level-1 security.

Alternatively, facilities can email NHSN at NHSN@CDC.gov and include "Enhancing Data Security" in the Subject line to begin upgrading their SAMS access to use this Pathway.

More information on this new reporting module is available HERE. CDC will also be holding training webinars in the coming weeks.

AFC and HFA Required COVID-19 Reporting

Pursuant to the joint Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) letter for AFC-HFA COVID-19 Reporting issued October 22, 2020, all licensed Adult Foster Care (AFC) and Homes for The Aged (HFA) facilities with bed capacity of 13 or greater are required to report COVID-19 data weekly in Qualtrics beginning October 28, 2020.

The previous survey platform, Survey Gizmo, closed to all facility reporting effective October 21, 2020. MDHHS is offering technical assistance webinars to AFC and HFA facilities to support transition to and compliance with required reporting in the new platform.

Technical Assistance Webinars:

Session 1: October 26, 2020, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (noon) EST

Session 2: October 27, 2020, 12:00 PM (noon) - 1:00 PM EST

Registration is not required - join via Zoom at:

https://msu.zoom.us/j/96144632532

Passcode: 176558

Webinar ID: 961 4463 2532

Or iPhone one-tap : US: +12532158782,,96144632532# or +13462487799,,96144632532#

Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923

Qualtrics Registration:

The MDHHS required reporting must be completed through the web-based Qualtrics data collection tool: Michigan AFC/HFA COVID-19 Reporting. AFC and HFA facilities must register for Qualtrics reporting at the following link: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_di22jhTmyB2m3Q1. This initial registration survey will be active only on the required reporting date, October 28, from 7 AM to 12 PM (noon). When registering in Qualtrics, facilities must use their 11-digit state licensee identification number. After registering facilities will receive an individualized link by November 1, 2020, that will be used to submit weekly reports on behalf of the facility beginning November 4, 2020.

MDHHS Data Submission Requirements and Frequency:

All AFC and HFA facilities must submit COVID-19 related data to MDHHS by completing all data fields in the "Michigan AFC/HFA COVID-19 Reporting" within the Qualtrics platform.

Data reporting will cover a 7-day period beginning at 12:01 AM (0001 HRS) Wednesdays, and ending at 12:00 AM (midnight, or 0000 HRS) Wednesday the day of data submission. This data should be submitted in Qualtrics once weekly between the hours of 7:00 AM (0700 HR) and 12:00 PM (noon, or 1200 HRS) on each Wednesday.

The "MDHHS COVID-19 Reporting Data Collection Instructions for Adult Foster Care and Homes for the Aged facilities" document includes instructions and definitions regarding each data element and can be found on the MDHHS website. This document should be downloaded and referenced regularly for updates to requirements for data collection and reporting.

For questions related to this reporting requirement, email MDHHS-MSA-20COVID19@michigan.gov.

MDHHS SNF Infection Control Grant Funds Still Available

As of today, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) has only received 136 applications for infection control grants. This is a great opportunity to receive either $22,000 or $18,500, depending on your location, to be used for infection control products such as enhancements to your ventilation system, touchless hand sanitizer dispensers, visitor screening systems and more. These funds must be spent by 12/31/2020. Therefore, applications are due by 10/31/2020 to allow time for the purchases and installation, if installation costs are covered by the grant. Also, some of the submitted applications were for thousands of dollars less than the limit. If you submitted such an application, you may submit a second application to access the remaining funds within your limit. Please reference your first application in the email.

You may also still submit applications for the Visitation Grants and the Communication Devices grants. Information and applications for all three grant programs can be found at the Nursing Facility Enrichment Program website. Each grant program has an email address for submitting applications and questions.