MDHHS Offers Virtual Meeting on Visitation Changes On Monday September 14, 2020 the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) staff will be hosting a Virtual Meeting to discuss the recent Epidemic Order providing for additional visitation issued by MDHHS Director Robert Gordon on September 10th. The meeting will cover the allowable visits, provider requirements, and provide time for questions and answers.
The meeting will be held Monday September 14, 2020 at 10:00 am EST. Click on the link below to join or dial in using the number and conference ID below.
Join Microsoft Teams Meeting Conference ID: 778 316 962#
Reporting COVID Antigen Tests Recently, Dr. Khaldun Chief Medical Executive for the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) issued a memo regarding the use of COVID antigen testing in Michigan. In this memo, reporting requirements include the reporting of positive test results within 4 hours, and reporting of testing to the local health department (LHD) via phone or fax, or by entering directly into the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS).
Nursing facility providers are able to enroll in MDSS to electronically report testing and ease reporting burdens. Please contact your LHD to share you are interested in enrolling in MDSS and they will assist with the process. Many of the LHDs have put together support materials for nursing facilities to assist them in utilizing MDSS.
To enroll in MDSS: 1. Go to MILogin and log into the portal 2. Click on the Request Access link 3. Under Agency, scroll down and choose MDHHS 4. Scroll down the page and select Michigan Disease Surveillance System
Once granted access a provider may begin entering new cases. MDHHS has shared a helpful tutorial with directions and screen shots for each step in entering a new case. Additional information and support can be found on the MDHHS Surveillance webpage.
Reporting & Documenting Testing Barriers The Michigan Department of Health & Human Resources (MDHHS) has shared recommendations regarding the reporting and documentation of barriers to compliance with required COVID testing.
When facilities are experiencing testing barriers such as testing supply shortages or delay in results they should be documenting in their testing plan, and retaining documentation of communication with all partners (lab, local health department and the state). For communications to the state, facilities should send to MDHHS-LTCRequests@michigan.gov.
MDHHS is working with the Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to clarify the time-frame included in the definition of the CMS required 48-hour turnaround time. For instance, if the 48-hour clock begins once the specimen is obtained, vs when the specimen arrives at the lab. Once that clarification is received we will share it out with members.
PPE Shortages The Association has recently been hearing an uptick in difficulties sourcing Personal Protective Equipment. HCAM recommends if you are experiencing shortages in one or multiple types of products, include the shortage in your EMResource reporting as well as reach out to your Regional Healthcare Coalition to ensure they are aware. In addition, please notify the Association of any specific types of PPE that are in short supply to assist in ensuring the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) is aware and able to assist in sourcing.
Futures for Frontliners On Thursday September 10, Governor Whitmer launched the Futures for Frontliners program, offering tuition-free college to an estimated 625,000 Michiganders who provided essential, frontline services during COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe orders between April 2020 and June 2020.
Futures for Frontliners was inspired by the GI Bill which provided college degree to those serving their country in WWII. The program offers Michigan adults without college degrees or high school diplomas who provided essential services during the pandemic a tuition-free pathway to gaining the skills needed to obtain high-demand, high-wage careers. The funding is available to those in the medical field, manufacturing, nursing homes, grocery stores, sanitation, delivery, retail and more.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must be a Michigan resident who worked in an essential industry at least part-time for 11 of the 13 weeks between April 1 - June 30, 2020 and were required by their job to work outside the home during that timeframe. Eligible applicants must not have previously earned an associate or bachelor's degree nor be in default on a Federal student loan. All Futures for Frontliners scholarship applications must be received by 11:59 pm, December 31, 2020.
Frontline workers are encouraged to visit www.michigan.gov/Frontliners to explore career opportunities, a list of local community colleges and get started on their application - even if they don't already have a high school diploma
For questions or concerns please contact Cathy Sunlin at CathySunlin@HCAM.org.
Sept. 12, 2020 |