07/01/2020

Today's COVID-19 Report: Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Here are the latest need-to-know updates for Wednesday, July 1 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

You Asked... We Answered

You Asked: Are there any more details or guidance from HHS on the Provider Relief Fund’s (PRF) Medicaid/CHIP distribution and its application process?

We Answered: Yes, HHS released dozens of FAQs related to the PRF’s Medicaid/CHIP process in the new enhanced provider portal through which applications are submitted. The most recent FAQs were released on June 19 and June 25.

LeadingAge Ohio associate firm member, CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), strongly encourages you to review the FAQs before you submit your application (due by July 20), as HHS indicates in one of these new FAQs that you cannot edit or resubmit your application once it’s been submitted. The HHS Provider Relief Fund Portal and the PRF FAQs are available for review.

Providers who received dollars under the PRF’s General Distribution (released in April) are not eligible for this Medicaid/CHIP distribution. Members can reach CLA's Chad Kunze at Chad.Kunze@CLAconnect.com for assistance and guidance. 

FEMA’s Second PPE Distribution to Nursing Homes

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials report that about half of the second shipment of PPE packages have been sent to nursing homes. Of those, just under half were delivered and the rest are in transit. 

FEMA expects to complete this second shipment for all 15,400 Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes in the country by July 21.  While LeadingAge continues to advocate for a robust, comprehensive federal approach to help all providers with the PPE they need to deal with the pandemic, LeadingAge expressed appreciation for up-to-date information about the second of two shipments of one week’s worth of PPE. 

Here are the specifics on the shipment:

Total Shipped: 7,775 of 15,440 (50.4%)(+8.6%)
Delivered: 3,178 (+1,226 since last report)
In Transit: 4,589 (+97 since last report) 

As of Saturday, June 27, there were 4,589 PPE packages in transit to CMS-registered nursing homes bringing the total shipped to 7,775 of 15,440 (50.4%) to date. Ohio was not on the list of states noted as having received 100% of its shipments. 

Housing Call Provides Updates from HUD and More

This morning’s Housing Happenings call highlighted LeadingAge’s summary of the continued health disparities present in the fight against the COVID-19 virus.  Juliana Bilowich, LeadingAge’s Director of Housing Operations and Policy, provided a recap of LeadingAge’s call yesterday with HUD’s Office of Recapitalization which handles RAD for PRAC and the new 202 construction funding.  She reported that the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) of $50M released to date for the new 202 construction funding included a number of LeadingAge members’ projects. HUD indicated that it expects the NOFA for an additional $150M in program funding before the end of summer.   Next Monday at 12:30 PM EST, LeadingAge has a HUD REAC meeting scheduled to discuss the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on REAC inspections.  If you would like to join the call, access information is provided here: Join Skype Meeting or to join by phone 1 (240) 669-5802 Conference ID: 537899.

An important part of these weekly calls is hearing directly from housing providers across the country on issues and concerns they are experiencing in the midst of this pandemic.  LeadingAge Ohio thanks members Donnald Heckelmoser, President/CEO of LSC Service Corporation, and Jenni Miller-Francis, Director of Resident & Health Services of Episcopal Retirement Services, for sharingon today's call their experiences on continued efforts to provide safety, care and resources to their residents throughout the pandemic.  A complete summary of today’s call, in addition to summaries of previous weeks’ calls, can be found on the LeadingAge Ohio COVID Hub. Based on member feedback, Housing Happenings calls will continue every Wednesday morning at 9AM. Call details and registration information can be found on the LeadingAge Ohio website.

Communication Toolkit on Outdoor Visitation

With the announcement this past Monday from Governor DeWine on outdoor visitation opening for Ohio’s nursing facilities effective July 20, LeadingAge Ohio is actively working on a communication toolkit for members to assist with protocols, sample letters for residents, families and staff around outdoor visitation, and signage to post. 

Formal guidance is still forthcoming and will lay the foundation for resources in the outdoor visitation toolkit. Look for more information in upcoming COVID-19 Daily reports. 

ODH Shares CDC Recommendations for Improving Building Ventilation Systems

Since COVID-19 may be spread via droplets in the air by people with no symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers recommendations for improving building ventilation systems to help reduce the risk of airborne transmission of this disease. Recently, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reiterated the CDC recommendations in a letter addressed to building owners and managers.

LeadingAge Ohio encourages members to review the letter to ensure they are taking appropriate precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within their buildings.

LeadingAge Need to Know: COVID-19 – July 1, 2020

LeadingAge shares the latest coronavirus news and resources with members twice each weekday. This morning's update featured information on a special day of remembrance for elders affected by COVID-19 and information about a virtual 2020 Collaborative Care HIT Summit. 

Check out the full report here. 

Links: Outdoor Visitation in Nursing Homes

Outdoor Ohio nursing-home visits can resume on July 20, Gov. Mike DeWine says (cleveland.com)

Coronavirus: Montgomery County sees increase in hospitalizations (Dayton Daily News)

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 at here.