HHS Accepting COVID-19 Funding Phase 3 Applications Today Through November 6 The US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced late last week a new opportunity for providers to seek funding through the HHS Provider Relief Fund. HHS has allocated an additional $20 billion for another General Distribution, which they have deemed "Phase 3 General Distribution."
Virtually all health care providers should be eligible to apply for funding in this distribution. Even those providers who received funding previously may be newly eligible for consideration.
The new distribution is application-based. Interested providers will be required to apply as opposed to receiving a proactive distribution from HHS. HHS will accept applications from October 5 through November 6. The application portal is located on the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund: Providers page.
The application will be open to:
HHS will review each application to ensure providers have received two percent of their annual patient care revenue, taking into account previous distributions from the Provider Relief Fund. This methodology is consistent with the most recent General Distribution Phase 2, for which applications closed on September 13. HHS also indicates it will use the remainder of the $20 billion (after ensuring all applicants have 2% of annual patient care revenue) to calculate an "equitable add-on payment" for all applicants, reflecting:
Providers should apply if they have lost revenues and/or increased expenses attributable to COVID-19 that have not been reimbursed by other sources.
Note: Providers will need to submit a new application, even if they previously submitted revenue details for a prior PRF distribution; the application has been updated to include some additional data entries in order to calculate payment based on financial impact of COVID-19.
Required documentation:
For updates and to learn more about the Provider Relief Program, visit: hhs.gov/providerrelief.
Michigan Departmental Orders Stand The Epidemic Orders issued by Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon through the pandemic remain in effect. These Orders were not part of the recently issued Michigan Supreme Court ruling regarding the emergency powers of Governor Whitmer and as such, these orders remain in effect.
The MDHHS Epidemic Orders that remain enforceable include the nursing facility testing order issued June 15 and the visitation orders of June 30 and later clarified on September 10. You can find these orders, along with a comprehensive list of MDHHS orders, by clicking HERE.
These orders cover settings including nursing facilities, homes for the aged, adult foster care, independent living and unlicensed assisted living. These settings should continue operating as if the Governor's emergency orders and the department's epidemic orders are still in effect. HCAM/MCAL will continue to provide updates as the situation progresses.
Ask the Experts: FFCRA Webinar Recording and Follow-up Webinar AHCA/NCAL will be hosting a follow-up "office hour" webinar on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and How it Impacts Long Term Care on Wednesday, October 7 at 12:00 PM Eastern. On this webinar, AHCA/NCAL Department of Labor consultants from Jackson Lewis, Craig S. Roberts, Principal and Henry Shapiro, Associate will answer questions from the first webinar and additional questions as time allows, on the FFCRA impacting long term care. If you missed the first webinar you can find the recording and slides on the website.
Please note, this is not meant to take the place of guidance from your legal counsel.
No pre-registration is required but you will need to login using your computer or WebEx app as questions will be accepted using the chat function. All lines will be muted.
Click HERE to Join The Meeting Meeting number: 172 281 2053 Password: QExXPBc5b36
Alternately, you can join via audio by dialing 415-655-0003 and entering the meeting number above when prompted.
Public Health Emergency Declaration Renewed The US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar announced on Friday that the Trump Administration will renew the Public Health Emergency declaration effective October 23, 2020. The declaration will extend the availability of waivers and funding that are available under the Public Health Emergency. The new declaration will expire in January 2021.
Certificate of Need Hearing on Changes to Nursing Home/HLTCU Standards The Certificate of Need Commission at their September meeting approved the proposed changes to the Nursing Home - Hospital Long Term Care Unit (HLTCU) standards based on the Standards Advisory Committee (SAC) recommendations. The public hearing on these standards will be held on October 27 and testimony can be provided until November 3. HCAM participated in the SAC and supports the standard changes including the revised bed need methodology. Below is the formal notice of the public hearing if you have any questions on the proposed changes contact Pat at HCAM at patanderson@hcam.org.
On behalf of the Michigan Certificate of Need (CON) Commission, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will hold a public hearing on the CON Review Standards for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Nursing Home - Hospital Long Term Care Unit (NH-HLTCU) on October 27, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
Additional information and the hearing notice can be found on the 2020 CON Meeting Calendar. Please note that this meeting will be held by web and teleconference only.
Oral comments may be presented at the hearing on October 27, 2020, or submitted in writing by sending an email to the following email address: MDHHS-ConWebTeam@michigan.gov.
Please submit written comments no later than 5:00 p.m., November 3, 2020. If you have any questions please contact the CON Policy Office at MDHHS-ConWebTeam@michigan.gov.
Influenza Vaccination Campaign On October 1, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), kicked-off the 2020-2021 flu vaccination season, emphasizing the added importance of vaccination this season. With the kick-off, CDC and NFID reinforced recommendations that everyone receive flu vaccines. They also stress the importance this year in particular with the threat of a combined flu & COVID season.
The CDC's influenza guidance for this year's 2020-2021 season can be found HERE.
Federal Government Using NHSN Data to Direct Supplies On October 2, 2020 the White House and Vice President Pence hosted a call with providers. During the call, Administrator Seema Verma identified that the information being submitted to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has been extremely helpful in identifying the areas hardest hit by supply shortages. Through the NHSN reporting module for supplies, the Federal Government can deploy tangible onsite resources to assist nursing facilities.
During the call, it was announced that the government is using the NHSN data reported to respond to nursing facility personal protective equipment (PPE) needs. The NHSN data allows for direct targeting of any facility saying they are challenged with PPE supplies. Verma reported that utilizing NHSN reported data has facilitated support to more than 1,000 long term care facilities, directly shipping N-95 masks to these buildings in August. ?
For questions or concerns please contact Cathy Sunlin at CathySunlin@HCAM.org.
October 5, 2020 |