10/07/2020
Today's COVID-19 Report: Thursday, October 8, 2020
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Here are the latest need-to-know updates for Thursday, October 8 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
ODH shares NF testing dates, survey for reporting positives
This afternoon, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) released several updates for nursing home testing via an EIDC bulletin sent to providers. The bulletin included next week’s schedule for state-supported nursing facility testing, based on data from the Ohio Public Health Advisory System from October 5. The state will pull data to update county positivity rates / colors again on October 19.
Providers are further instructed to:
Please carefully review the updated schedule on the FIRST TAB.
- Facilities that are testing this week (10/5 to 10/11) are not listed on this tab unless they are located in Athens, Putnam or Richland counties (CMS red counties). They will be listed on future schedules if still eligible for state support after 10/18.
- Facilities were ADDED to the schedule for 10/12 to 10/18 due to county positivity rate changes resulting in start of state supported testing and due to new reports of outbreaks.
- Facilities were REMOVED from the schedule for 10/12 to 10/18 due reports of outbreaks ending (or no outbreak at all) in counties where state support is not available for routine testing
Information about required routine testing frequency (per CMS and state requirements) by county, as well as state-supported testing frequency available by county, can be found on the SECOND TAB.
Regarding the survey, the bulletin states:
Starting today, please use this new electronic survey to provide updates for your facility for state supported regarding ANY TIME you need to report ANY of the following changes:
- Change in outbreak status (start state supported testing for a new outbreak, end state supported testing after the conclusion of an outbreak)
- Change in need for state support (opt-in/opt-out)
- Change in need for supplies
ODH: Stop sending patient identifying information to CCURT
Earlier this week, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reminded providers to not include personal information in emails sent to the inbox for the Congregate Care Unified Response Team (CCURT).
Last night, ODH sent a message to providers via its EIDC system reminding them again that under no circumstances should individual employee or resident name be shared through the CCURT mailbox, nor in emails to ODH leadership. This information is considered protected health information, and should be transmitted securely.
Housing Happenings Call Reviews Funding Updates, Collaborations, and New Meeting Information
On Wednesday’s Housing Happenings weekly call, Juliana Bilowich, LeadingAge’s Director of Housing Operations and Policy, provided several important HUD funding updates. She noted that, unfortunately, some regular calendar year grant-funded service coordinator funds remain unpaid. The CARES Act approved additional funds for grant-funded Service Coordinators; but less than half of the organizations with grant-funded Service Coordination applied, likely due to the very short timeline provided to organizations to apply for these dollars. Juliana said that HUD is reviewing options for these organizations to apply again. HUD has also begun distribution of COVID-19 Supplemental Payments (CSPs), and recently announced that a second round of CSPs will be released in late fall. LeadingAge continues its efforts to have HUD recognize technology costs, meal costs, appreciation pay and other COVID-19 related costs as eligible for reimbursements. For example, call participants highlighted the importance that call multipliers have had in their COVID-19 communications with residents.
LeadingAge also met with the CDC and HUD to explore health related resources and collaborations for housing providers such as federally qualified health centers (FQHC). To read more on details from the recent call, click here.
Finally, beginning October 14, the weekly update calls will be transitioning to Zoom. Please join LeadingAge each Wednesday at 9:00am for updates and discussions. The new Zoom access information can be found on the LeadingAge Ohio website.
Ziegler CFO Hotline: Anticipated fee increase in 2021
Every year, LeadingAge Ohio partner Ziegler devotes one of its Ziegler CFO HotlineSM polls to the topic of monthly fee increases. This year’s poll was of particular importance given the impact of COVID-19 on the sector and increased costs to providers who have at the same time experienced decreased revenues over the past seven months. Nearly 220 largely not-for-profit organizations providers participated, with 66% representing single-site organizations and 34% from multi-site organizations. The full report not only shows the current year’s data, but also historical comparisons.
NOW AVAILABLE: Draft hospice item set manual V3.0
The draft Hospice Item Set (HIS) Manual V3.0 is now available in the Downloads section of the Hospice Item Set (HIS) webpage. The HIS Manual V3.0 will be effective January 1, 2021. Please note the HIS Manual is not yet final. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval is required and expected later this year. Once approved by OMB, then it becomes final.
LeadingAge Need to Know: COVID-19 – October 8, 2020
LeadingAge shares the latest coronavirus news and resources with members twice each weekday. This morning's update featured a Home Health and Hospice Survey reminder and information on the upcoming Inclusion Night at LeadingAge Annual Meeting Virtual Experience
Check out the full report here.
Questions
Please send all questions to COVID19@leadingageohio.org. Additionally, members are encouraged to visit the LeadingAge Ohio COVID-19 Working Group facebook group to pose questions to peers and share best practices. LeadingAge is continuing its daily calls for all members. To participate in these daily online updates, members should register here.
LeadingAge Ohio is working to ensure that the information in our daily alerts, on our website, and all coronavirus-related communications is as accurate as possible. However, LeadingAge Ohio makes no guarantees about the accuracy of the information.