Coronavirus

Visit the AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus website daily for the latest information that we have to share with long term care providers about COVID-19.  As concerns arise with the emerging coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working nationally with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure our long term care communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.

HHS Offers Medicaid Allocation Application Tutorial Tomorrow

The HHS Provider Relief Fund Medicaid Application Process while a positive step also has come with a number of questions. Unlike Tranches 1-3, the Medicaid Allocation requires an application requiring an array of data. HHS has a Medicaid Allocation Application online tutorial this Thursday at 2pm ET (please note: you must pre-register here).  

Meanwhile, AHCA/NCAL has submitted a list of questions about the application process, along with other provider groups and are awaiting responses from HHS.  Medicaid Allocation Applications on due on July 20. View AHCA/NCAL’s Medicaid Allocation FAQs in our recent blog post. 

AHCA/NCAL Webinar on Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries with Representative Payees

AHCA/NCAL recently put together a webinar recording on economic impact payments (EIPs) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and important facts for skilled nursing facilities, ICFs/IID, and assisted living communities to know on the use of them. IRS began issuing electronic EIPs on or about April 15 to people who received a tax refund electronically.  

The webinar covers what EIPs are and what steps providers should take to protect beneficiaries receiving this benefit. EIP funds belong to the resident and they make decisions about fund use or may request assistance and guidance (such supports are acceptable). The recording also covers whether a resident can give their EIP funds to a family member and what to do if EIP funds are being misused. Finally, a variety of resources from the Social Security Administration to the National Center on Elder Law and Rights are available at the end of the webinar to find further information that will be of assistance.  More information on this recording can be found here. 

“Faces of Care”

In an effort to showcase both COVID-19 recoveries and the long term care heroes who make these recoveries possible, we have launched a page on CareNotCOVID.com titled “Faces of Care.” The landing page, CareNotCOVID.com/faces, features a gallery of residents who have recovered from COVID-19 as well as long term care staff who have stepped up to keep residents safe during the pandemic. There is also a form on the website to collection submissions of stories of hope from long term care facilities across the country. We are using news stories that we receive, videos and other testimonials.

On AHCA/NCAL social channels, we will continue to use the hashtag #CareNotCOVID to encourage others to share their stories and gain traffic to the site – serving our larger goal of continuing to push out positive, real-world examples of hope and support for long term care residents and caregivers.

ICF/IID Reports

AHCA's Research Department has released the following June 2020 updates for use by AHCA/NCAL members (Login Required):

• LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) Standard Health Survey Report, June 2020 
• LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), Facility and Resident Characteristics, June 2020 

If you have any questions relating to these reports, which include important ICF/IID state and national data, please contact AHCA’s Research Director, Kiran Sreenivas.

We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative

AHCA/NCAL began a social media advocacy initiative last year and is encouraging all members to get involved.  The effort focuses on improving the overall image of the post-acute and long term care profession by sharing positive stories and pushing back on pieces that attempt to tie all providers to isolated negative events.

AHCA/NCAL will be sending interested members tips for getting more involved on social media, best practices for posting content, sample posts, and a roundup of positive stories about the profession on a regular basis. Individuals who want to get involved should email socialmedia@ahca.org to get on the mailing list. 

The campaign also will include a rapid response to stories that are unfairly negative about the profession or do not accurately portray the reality of post-acute and long term care.  AHCA/NCAL hopes to build on these successes as the year continues. With thousands of buildings nationwide who touch the lives of millions of people, there is the chance to seriously affect the way the profession is viewed and treated by lawmakers and the media.

Articles and Resources of Interest

• AHCA/NCAL Statement on Racial Inequality Across the Nation and in Long Term Care
• Pandemic Upends The Lives Of People With Disabilities — And Of Their Caregivers
• Disability Advocates File Complaint Over Barriers To COVID-19 Testing
• Despite Recommendations, Genetic Testing Rare Among Those With Autism
• Learn New Workforce Recruitment and Retention Strategies in Just 45 Minutes
  
  

Legislative and Agency Corner

• AHCA/NCAL Praises Appointment of Long Term Care Providers, Other Stakeholders to Independent Commission
• AHCA/NCAL Reacts to Distribution of Provider Relief Funds for Medicaid Providers
• FAQs: Medicaid Provider Portal for AL & ID/DD
• HHS Updates Provider Relief Fund FAQs

National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities

The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) holds a monthly call or webinar concerning topics of interest to those who work in the field of aging and disability.  One of the past calls focused on resources for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and their caregivers.  Information about future calls, and audio recording of previous ones, can be found here.

2020 Health Care Observances

July 2020 marks, among other observances, Eye Injury Prevention Month, UV Safety Month, National Therapeutic Recreation Week (July 5-11), and National Parents’ Day (July 26).  The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.