HCAM/MCAL Member Update - Vaccination, PPE Grants, MDHHS Rescinds Prior Epidemic Orders

LTC Vaccination Program Deadline Extended to Next Friday

The deadline for long term care facilities (nursing facilities, Homes for the Aged, Adult Foster Care, and all other assisted living settings) to sign up to participate in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program has been extended to Friday, November 6, 2020.

The national vaccine distribution program for long term care residents is being used to register for COVID-19 vaccination distribution. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have shared that distribution will begin immediately when a vaccine is ready for distribution, with long term care residents prioritized for vaccination. Health care workers are prioritized as Tier 1A, with long term care residents prioritized as Tier 1B.

Long term care facilities will have four options to select from:

Have CVS (partnering with Omnicare) come to your facility and administer the vaccine to residents and any staff not previously vaccinated.
Have Walgreens (partnering with PharMerica) come to your facility and administer the vaccine to residents and any staff not previously vaccinated.
Work with your existing pharmacy partner (LTC pharmacy), if they have the capability to meet the requirements demonstrated by a provider agreement with the state or CDC.
Partner with another entity such as your hospital health care system, local/state health department, etc.

Due to the cold-chain storage and reporting requirements, HCAM/MCAL recommends members choose either CVS or Walgreens as your primary distribution choice, or at least as your secondary if choosing your long term care pharmacy as your first choice.

Long term care facilities must register with the CDC on how they want to receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Nursing homes register via NHSN, while assisted living communities and other congregate settings sign up through an online survey.

MDHHS Releases PPE Grant Funds

This morning, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) shared letters with all providers who applied and have been granted funds under the Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant.

With the notification, MDHHS shared the following information and requirements:

Acceptance of this payment constitutes agreement to:

Dedicate this funding solely to PPE expenses and not to other COVID-19 related expenses you may incur. Section 1928 of PA 166 of 2020 requires that this funding be used solely for PPE expenditures.
Follow any PPE grant guidance or policies, including this letter, the department may issue.
Account for expenditures associated with this additional COVID-19 reimbursement and be prepared to provide support for these expenditures.

These expenditures may be subject to audit.

Questions regarding the funds can be directed to MDHHS-MSA-COVID19@michigan.gov

MDHHS Rescinds Prior Epidemic Orders

Yesterday, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon issued a departmental Order rescinding previously issued MDHHS Epidemic Orders. This new issuance rescinds the departments previous orders regarding visitation and COVID response dating back to June 30, 2020.

Reminder: HFA and AFC over 13 beds begin new reporting process tomorrow, October 28 from 7am - 12pm. Review yesterday's article. This is mandatory reporting.