Personal Needs Allowance

This memo was originally released in 2013 and was a collaboration with the Family Support Division and the Social Security Administration to clarify their expectations regarding resident funds. The memo has been updated to reflect the current monthly personal needs allowance only. The remainder of the guidance remains the same.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Lynn Gilmore, Senior Auditor, at Lynn.Gilmore@health.mo.gov or 573-508-4150.

Reimbursement for COVID-19 Outbreak Testing and Other Necessary Expenses – Deadline Extended to June 30, 2021

Deadline Extended to June 30, 2021

All LTC facilities (SNF-ICF-RCF-ALF) may submit for reimbursement of outbreak testing through March 31, 2021.

All Skilled Nursing Facilities may invoice for other necessary COVID-19 expenditures up to a maximum cap of $345 per licensed bed. The previous cap of $303, which originally expired on December 30, 2020, has been extended to June 30, 2021 and the cap increased to $345 which is a $42 per licensed bed increase. Facilities cannot bill for expenses that have been previously invoiced.

All other facilities may submit invoices for other necessary COVID-019 expenses up to the previous existing cap of $330/licensed bed, which originally expired on December 1, 2020 and has been extended to June 30, 2021. Facilities cannot bill for expenses that have been previously invoiced.

If any facility previously submitted for reimbursement and did not get reimbursed up to the cap, they can submit for additional reimbursement up to the cap. If you have previously submitted invoices for reimbursement that meets or exceeds the cap, please do not resubmit those items. They are being re-reviewed at this time.

Please see this link for the portal and other additional information: https://apps.dss.mo.gov/LongTermCareCovid19Invoices/.

COVID-19 FREE Testing

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services continues to offer FREE COVID-19 testing. Individuals seeking a free testing opportunity are not required to pre-register or have an appointment, simply show up to one of the events below to receive the test. A government issued ID is not a requirement for this testing, but having one available onsite speeds up the registration process. Testing is still a very important tool in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Event information can always be found at www.health.mo.gov/communitytest. Additional sites (with regular or one-time opportunities) may be added as indicators suggest the need for additional testing. The following events are available for the month of April 2021:

St. Louis Area

    • Every Monday – 11:00 am -7:00 pm
      IBEW Local #1
      5850 Elizabeth Avenue
      St. Louis, MO 63110
    • Every Thursday – 11:00 am -7:00 pm
      Laborers Local #110
      4532 S Lindbergh Blvd
      St. Louis, MO 63127
    • Every Saturday – 11:00 am -7:00 pm
      Machinist Lodge #777
      12365 St Charles Rock Rd
      Bridgeton, MO 63044

Central MO Area

    • Sunday (dates below)
      11:00 am – 7:00 pm

      April 11, 18
      American Legion #1423
      Tanner Bridge Road
      Jefferson City, MO 65101

Southwest Area

    • Every Tuesday – 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
      Mother’s Brewing Company
      Open Lot located on the corner of West College and Grant Avenue
      Springfield, MO 65806

Kansas City Area

    • Every Monday – 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
      Heavy Construction Laborers, Local #663
      7820 Prospect
      Kansas City, MO 64132
    • Every Thursday – 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
      Heavy Construction Laborers, Local #663
      7820 Prospect
      Kansas City, MO 64132
    • Every Saturday – 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
      Teamsters Local #955
      4501 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd.
      Kansas City, MO 64130

Southeast Area

    • Sunday (dates below)
      11:00 am – 7:00 pm

      April 25
      Red Show Barn
      410 Kiwanis Drive
      Cape Girardeau MO 63701

Vaccine Information

This COVID-19 Vaccine document outlines processes to address the ongoing vaccination needs for residents and staff in long term care communities.

  • For residents and staff who received their first dose at the final clinic conducted by CVS or Walgreens and are in need of a second dose of Moderna vaccine: Regional Implementation Teams and the Missouri National Guard will be coordinating with local partners to provide onsite vaccine for these residents and staff. Please review the attached document for additional information on this process.
    • Walgreens has indicated they will also be conducting outreach to those communities where they provided onsite clinics to ensure there is opportunity for administration of this second dose. This outreach by Walgreens may be ideal for ensuring residents who have been discharged to home have access to the vaccine if they don’t have the ability to return to the long term care community for the second dose.
  • For residents and staff who have yet to receive vaccine (new residents and staff, and residents and staff who did not receive vaccine at the onsite clinics): Several options are outlined in the attached document for ensuring ongoing access to vaccine. The University of Missouri-Columbia COVID Accountability Team (CAT) team will be available to assist communities with determining which option best meets their needs and with navigating through the process. DHSS hosted a WebEx call on Monday, March 29th at 1:30 for long term care communities that are interested in becoming a vaccinator. The WebEx was recorded and can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Long Term Care Facilities and Vaccination-20210329 1830-1

Thank you to our partners for assisting us with developing these processes and for assisting with coordination efforts moving forward! Questions related to ongoing vaccine efforts may be addressed to Shelly Williamson at shelly.williamson@health.mo.gov.

Action Pact’s Conversations with Carmen

April 23, 2021: Artifacts of Culture Change (ACC) 2.0 and ACC for Assisted Living
Presenters: the developers of the Artifacts, our Host Carmen Bowman and her guest Karen Schoeneman

An Artifacts 2.0 version for nursing homes, and a first-ever Artifacts for Assisted Living are now available, thanks to the Pioneer Network. The ACC is an internal self-assessment tool — inspirational and educational, reflecting concrete practices that change institutional culture or “artifacts” of culture change. Walk through each of the over-130 items with the developers Karen Schoeneman and Carmen Bowman in three sessions (March 19, April 23 and May 21) and be inspired to learn culture change practices you may have not considered – to shift the focus from institutional to individual, and institution to home.

These detailed and in-depth sessions build on the overview provided during the Pioneer Network’s webinar (Feb. 18, 2021) introducing the Artifacts. (The recording of that webinar will soon be offered for free on the Pioneer website.)

Health Quality Innovation Network – Complete and Compliant Vaccine Tracking Tools

April 8, 2021: Don’t Lose Track! Complete & Compliant Vaccine Tracking Tools

As COVID-19 vaccination rates increase there is an opportunity for your facility to ensure accurate vaccine tracking among team members and residents. The Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) has developed COVID-19 vaccination administration and tracking tools to show you at-a-glance where your facility coverage stands and what gaps you need to address. Not only do these tools strengthen compliance monitoring, they also can assist with optional NHSN COVID-19 vaccine reporting. During this 30-minute Office Hours session, an infection preventionist and LTC nurse will walk you through the new tools to facilitate vaccine tracking compliance and target improvement efforts.

Resource links:

COVID-19 FREE Testing (Sponsored by Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS))

Community testing events serve the residents of Missouri. There is no eligibility other than to have a Missouri address. The testing is free. There is no fee collected or charged to insurance for administration of the test. DHSS makes this testing available in order to offer an opportunity for anyone desiring testing to do so without any financial barriers other than getting to the testing site. Even as the number of new positive case counts decrease and more individuals are vaccinated, it is important to be tested to give yourself peace of mind that you are not asymptomatic and carrying a virus that could make someone else sick. If you are symptomatic you most definitely should seek testing. Many camps, events, and travel now require evidence of a test result before participation.

Testing locations can be found here.

TBI Survivor Healthcare Access Needs Assessment

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), in collaboration with the Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IHD), has received grant funding to conduct a healthcare access and experiences survey with survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Missouri. Results from this survey will inform the development of a Missouri Plan to improve healthcare access and equity for people living with TBI and their families.

As a professional who provides supports and services to TBI survivors and their families, we hope that you can assist with disseminating this survey. With your assistance, we would like to reach as many survivors and families as possible to best identify areas of need and shape statewide initiatives in the coming years. Below, you will find survey information and weblinks for distribution. We have also linked a paper version of the survey in the text for those who prefer to complete and mail in a hard copy. Postage paid envelopes are available upon request. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Kelli Barton from the UMKC Institute for Human Development at bartonkn@umkc.edu.

On behalf of the project team, thank you for your continued partnership and support!

English Survey
Encuesta en Español

Printable English Survey
Encuesta en Español para Imprimir

FREE COVID-19 Testing Events

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services continues to offer FREE COVID-19 testing to Missouri residents. Individuals seeking this testing opportunity should visit our website at www.health.mo.gov/communitytest for a listing of events and a link to register. Residents are encouraged to visit this website frequently as new events will be added regularly. While registration guarantees testing, walk-ins to the event will be accommodated if registration slots are still available.

Upcoming events include:

Date

Time

City

County

Location

March 22, 2021

9AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

CareSTL Health

March 22, 2021

8AM – 5PM

Lexington

Lafayette

Health Care Collaborative of Rural Missouri

March 22, 2021

8:30AM – 2PM

Salem

Dent

Salem Community Center @ the Armory

March 22, 2021

8:30AM – 11:30AM

Florissant

St. Louis County

James J. Egan Civic Center

March 22, 2021

9AM – 1PM

Branson

Taney

Cox Health

March 22, 2021

10AM – 6PM

Sedalia

Pettis

Katy Trail Community Health

March 22, 2021

9AM – 11AM

Marshfield

Webster

Marshfield Fairgrounds

March 23, 2021

9AM – 3PM

New London

Ralls

Forget-Me-Not Senior Center

March 23, 2021

12PM – 3PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

Affinia Healthcare

March 23, 2021

9AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

CareSTL Health

March 23, 2021

8AM – 12PM

Springfield

Greene

Jordan Valley Community Health Center

March 24, 2021

9AM – 1PM

St. Louis

St. Louis County

NAACP St. Louis County Building

March 24, 2021

9AM – 6PM

Kansas City

Clay County

Worlds of Fun

March 24, 2021

8:30AM – 11:30AM

Florissant

St. Louis County

James J. Egan Civic Center

March 24, 2021

1PM – 3PM

Camdenton

Camden

Mid-County Fire

March 25, 2021

12PM – 3PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

Affinia Healthcare

March 25, 2021

10AM – 1PM

St. Charles

St. Charles

Harvester Christian Church

March 26, 2021

9AM – 1PM

Lamar

Barton

ACCESS Family Care

March 26, 2021

12PM – 4PM

Kansas City

Jackson

Kansas City Zoo (Near the Bandstand Pavilion)

March 26, 2021

10AM – 2PM

St. Joseph

Buchanan

St. Joseph Aquatic Center

MU Nursing Outreach Presents: Free Online Healthcare-Associated Infection Courses

Virtual Healthcare Job Fair

April 6, 2021: Virtual Healthcare Job Fair

The Missouri Office of Workforce Development is hosting another healthcare virtual job fair to support the needs of the healthcare industry across the state on April 6, 2021. Employers may now engage with job-seekers through the chat feature, or initiate video chat sessions.

The deadline to register is March 26, 2021. Please register at https://returnstrongmo.getyourbooth.com/.

The Missouri Office of Workforce Development will promote the virtual job fairs and recruit job seekers who may be interested in a healthcare career. Job seekers register at https://returnstrongmo.easyvirtualfair.com/prefair/.

Long-Term Care Administrator’s Week: Show Thanks to Healthcare Heroes

March 8-12, 2021 is National Long-Term Care Administrator’s Week. During this week, staff, residents, families and volunteers have the opportunity to say “thank you” and honor the administrators who lead our nation’s long-term care communities. This year, Long-Term Care Administrator’s Week holds added significance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our nation’s long-term care leaders have been at the forefront of the response, taking responsibility for the care of the most vulnerable.

Missouri’s administrators manage the daily care of over 55,000 people who reside in long-term care facilities across the state. Administrators are key players in the care team and are entrusted with the responsibility of managing the care of our loved ones. They touch the lives of residents and families, and most importantly, ensure that their staff provides the highest level of quality care to a vulnerable population. To become an administrator takes commitment and dedication.

Rachel Patterson with JMS Senior Living said, “It would be amazing if we could all take the time to thank an administrator for their hard work. These healthcare heroes have rolled up their sleeves and filled whatever role necessary to keep their residents safe and their staff supported. They have poured their heart and souls into their work, often working weeks at a time without a break, and doing it without question or a second thought. Showing appreciation can be as simple as a card, or even an email, but it can really brighten an administrator’s day.”

For more ideas about how to recognize the administrator in your life, visit the American College of Health Care Administrators website.

MANHA’s Annual Convention

June 6-9, 2021: People, Purpose, and Passion: The Pathway to Success

Missouri Association of Nursing Home Administrators is pleased to invite you to attend our Annual Convention. We have all experienced a very challenging year and need to recharge. The goal of this conference is to provide long-term care administrators and their staff practical and inspirational education hours along with the opportunity to network and socialize with colleagues.

Dementia Hacks: Expert Strategies for the Most Difficult Symptoms & Behaviors

April 30, 2021: Dementia Hacks: Expert Strategies for the Most Difficult Symptoms & Behaviors

Memory Care Home Solutions is proud to offer this event in partnership with Saint Louis University & the Gateway Geriatric Education Center.

Join us on April 30th for Dementia Hacks: Expert Strategies for the Most Difficult Symptoms & Behaviors, an interactive six-hour virtual continuing education event to explore the most puzzling and challenging dementia symptoms! Memory Care Home Solutions clinicians will provide training and coaching in management of common behavioral and psychological symptoms including resistance to care, agitation, refusal to bathe, and more. This event will feature guest speakers including Washington University geriatrician Dr. Timothy Holden to discuss the medical management of dementia symptoms and Project Present founder Ann Marie Mohr on creative communication strategies. Attendees will leave with new knowledge and skillsets in behavioral management strategies to immediately apply in their work and caregiving roles.

Included with event registration, participants will have access to a Dementia Hacker Chat Drop-in session on May 14th with clinical experts to brainstorm and discuss their experiences in applying the strategies and refining approaches.

Course approval applications are being submitted for continuing education credit for nursing home administrators, physical therapists, physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and social workers. For more information on course objectives and to register, visit our website at https://memorycarehs.org/events/ceu/.

Money Follows The Person (MFP) Stay Requirement Change

Starting January 26, 2021, the MFP Program requirement of a 90 day stay in a nursing facility prior to transition has been reduced to 60 days. Additionally, days at a nursing facility which were considered short-term rehabilitation days can now count toward fulfillment of the 60 day stay requirement.

For more information on the MFP program, please visit the Missouri Money Follows the Person Demonstration Grant webpage.

FREE COVID-19 Testing Events

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services continues to offer FREE COVID-19 testing to Missouri residents. Individuals seeking this testing opportunity should visit our website at www.health.mo.gov/communitytest for a listing of events and a link to register.  Residents are encouraged to visit this website frequently as new events will be added regularly. While registration guarantees testing, walk-ins to the event will be accommodated if registration slots are still available.

Upcoming events include:

Date

Time

City

County

Location

March 2, 2021

12PM – 3PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

Affinia Healthcare

March 2, 2021

8:30AM – 2PM

Cuba

Crawford

Mace Supermarket

March 2, 2021

9AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

CareSTL Health

March 2, 2021

8AM – 12PM

Springfield

Greene

Old Price Cutter Building

March 3, 2021

8:30AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis County

NAACP St. Louis County Building

March 3, 2021

9AM – 3PM

Jefferson City

Cole

American Legion

March 3, 2021

9AM – 6PM

Kansas City

Clay

Worlds of Fun

March 3, 2021

8:30AM – 11:30AM

Florissant

St. Louis County

James J. Egan Civic Center

March 4, 2021

12PM – 3PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

Affinia Healthcare

March 4, 2021

10AM – 4PM

St. Charles

St. Charles

Harvester Christian Church

March 5, 2021

9AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

CareSTL Health

March 5, 2021

9AM – 1PM

Joplin

Jasper

ACCESS Family Care

March 5, 2021

10AM – 4PM

Kansas City

Jackson

Kansas City Zoo (Cheetah Parking Lot)

March 5, 2021

8:30AM – 2PM

Cuba

Crawford

Mace Supermarket

March 8, 2021

9AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

CareSTL Health

March 8, 2021

9AM – 3PM

Kansas City

Jackson

Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center

March 8, 2021

8AM – 5PM

Lexington

Lafayette

Health Care Collaborative of Rural Missouri

March 8, 2021

8:30AM – 11:30AM

Florissant

St. Louis County

James J. Egan Civic Center

March 8, 2021

9AM – 1PM

Branson

Taney

Cox Health

March 8, 2021

8AM – 10AM

Kansas City

Jackson

Bartle Hall (Front Entrance on 13th Street)

March 9, 2021

12PM – 3PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

Affinia Healthcare

March 9, 2021

9AM – 3PM

Hannibal

Marion

Clemens Field

March 9, 2021

10AM – 6PM

Marshall

Saline

Katy Trail Community Health

March 9, 2021

8:30AM – 2PM

Salem

Dent

Salem Community Center @ the Armory

March 9, 2021

9AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

CareSTL Health

March 9, 2021

8AM – 12PM

Springfield

Greene

Old Price Cutter Building

March 10, 2021

8:30AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis County

NAACP St. Louis County Building

March 10, 2021

9AM – 6PM

Kansas City

Clay

Worlds of Fun

March 10, 2021

10AM – 6PM

Versailles

Morgan

Katy Trail Community Health

March 10, 2021

8:30AM – 11:30AM

Florissant

St. Louis County

James J. Egan Civic Center

March 10, 2021

1PM – 3PM

Camdenton

Camden

Mid-County Fire

March 11, 2021

12PM – 3PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

Affinia Healthcare

March 11, 2021

10AM – 6PM

Warsaw

Benton

Katy Trail Community Health

March 11, 2021

10AM – 4PM

St. Charles

St. Charles

Harvester Christian Church

March 12, 2021

9AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

CareSTL Health

March 12, 2021

9AM – 1PM

Lamar

Barton

ACCESS Family Care

March 12, 2021

10AM – 4PM

Kansas City

Jackson

Kansas City Zoo (Cheetah Parking Lot)

March 12, 2021

10AM – 6PM

Sedalia

Pettis

Katy Trail Community Health

March 12, 2021

10AM – 2PM

St. Joseph

Buchanan

St. Joseph Aquatic Center

March 12, 2021

12PM – 3PM

Columbia

Boone

Moser’s Foods Parking Lot

Enhanced Leadership Development Academy for LTC Leaders

Do you…..

❍ need a leadership course that addresses the unique challenges SNF leaders face?
❍ want to feel inspired and passionate about leading your SNF?
❍ want to connect with other SNF leaders and have access to free professional development, tools, and resources?
❍ want free CE credit without sacrificing quality and practical application?
❍ want to have the flexibility to learn at the pace and place the works best for you?

If you answer YES to any of these questions, this course may be for YOU!

For more information visit our web site, download the postcard or contact Todd Winterbower at winterbowert@missouri.edu, 573-882-0216.

Take the survey now to see if you qualify for FREE registration.

MC5 Virtual Meeting

March 12, 2021: Aging in a Changing Environment

Communities nationwide are tasked with accommodating our growing older adult population while simultaneously adapting to our changing climate. Modifying environmental factors that pose challenges and opportunities for older adult health and well-being may mitigate older adults’ vulnerability to extreme weather events. Identifying environmental factors that cultivate individual and social resiliency can guide public and institutional policies in the effort to adapt, cope and recover from extreme climate events.

National Partnership Medicare Learning Network Call

March 23, 2021: Long-Term Care: Dementia-related Psychosis Call

During this call, learn about the appropriate assessment, accurate diagnosis, and approaches to care for dementia-related psychosis in the long-term care setting. Hear about customized care strategies for nursing home residents. A question and answer session follows the presentations.

Speakers: Dr. George Grossberg, Dr. Alexis Eastman, Susan Scanland, and Dr. Chad Worz from The Gerontological Society of America’s Workgroup on Dementia-related Psychosis

Target Audience:

  • Consumer and advocacy groups
  • Nursing home providers
  • Surveyor community
  • Prescribers
  • Professional associations
  • Other interested stakeholders

Pioneer Network Virtual Symposium

March 24, 2021: Envisioning the Future: Exploring Lessons Learned

Pioneer Network is offering a one-day symposium. This virtual event is designed to provide valuable learning within a 6-hour window through four general sessions, followed by an opportunity to gather together to join one of four interactive forums hosted by the general session speakers, designed to explore the topics more deeply.

FREE Covid-19 Testing Events

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services continues to offer FREE COVID-19 testing to Missouri residents. Individuals seeking this testing opportunity should visit our website at www.health.mo.gov/communitytest for a listing of events and a link to register.  Residents are encouraged to visit this website frequently as new events will be added regularly. While registration guarantees testing, walk-ins to the event will be accommodated if registration slots are still available.

Upcoming events include:

Date

Time

City

County

Location

February 18, 2021

12PM – 3PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

Affinia Healthcare

February 18, 2021

10AM – 4PM

St. Charles

St. Charles

Harvester Christian Church

February 19, 2021

9AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

CareSTL Health

February 19, 2021

9AM – 1PM

Joplin

Jasper

ACCESS Family Care

February 22, 2021

9AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

CareSTL Health

February 22, 2021

9AM – 3PM

Kansas City

Jackson

Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center

February 22, 2021

8AM – 5PM

Lexington

Lafayette

Health Care Collaborative of Rural Missouri

February 22, 2021

8:30AM – 3PM

Rolla

Phelps

Your Community Health Center

February 22, 2021

8:30AM – 11:30AM

Florissant

St. Louis County

James J. Egan Civic Center

February 22, 2021

9AM – 1PM

Branson

Taney

Cox Health

February 22, 2021

9AM – 11AM

Seymour

Webster

Between Twin Dragon Restaurant & Seymour Elementary School

February 22, 2021

8AM – 10AM

Kansas City

Jackson

Bartle Hall (Front Entrance on 13th Street)

February 23, 2021

9AM – 3PM

New London

Ralls

Forget-Me-Not Senior Center

February 23, 2021

12PM – 3PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

Affinia Healthcare

February 23, 2021

8:30AM – 2PM

Salem

Dent

Salem Community Center

February 23, 2021

9AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

CareSTL Health

February 23, 2021

8AM – 12PM

Springfield

Greene

Old Price Cutter Building

February 23, 2021

12PM – 3PM

Fulton

Callaway

C&R Market (Parking Lot)

February 24, 2021

8:30AM – 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis County

NAACP St. Louis County Building

February 24, 2021

9AM – 6PM

Kansas City

Clay County

Worlds of Fun

February 24, 2021

8:30AM – 11:30AM

Florissant

St. Louis County

James J. Egan Civic Center

February 24, 2021

1PM – 3PM

Camdenton

Camden

Mid-County Fire

February 25, 2021

12PM – 3PM

St. Louis

St. Louis City

Affinia Healthcare

February 25, 2021

10AM – 4PM

St. Charles

St. Charles

Harvester Christian Church

February 26, 2021

9AM – 11AM

St. Louis

St. Louis County

Riverview Gardens High School

February 26, 2021

9AM – 1PM

Lamar

Barton

ACCESS Family Care

February 26, 2021

12PM – 4PM

Kansas City

Jackson

Kansas City Zoo (Cheetah Parking Lot)

February 26, 2021

10AM – 2PM

St. Joseph

Buchanan

St. Joseph Aquatic Center

February 26, 2021

12PM – 3PM

Columbia

Boone

Moser’s Foods Parking Lot

Battelle CCDS™ Contract Ending

Battelle CCDS™ was built as a temporary emergency program to help alleviate the critical PPE gap in the N95 supply chain. Battelle was recently notified by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that CCDSTM operations will not be extended again and the program will officially end on March 31, 2021.

Please note the following critical dates:

The last day to send your N95 masks for decontamination to your CCDS™ sites will be March 18, 2021.
All FedEx return shipments to your facilities will be completed by March 25, 2021.

If you have any questions about the CCDS™ program ending, please contact Battelle at ccdscustomerservice@battelle.org.

Point of Care Test Reporting Trainings February 2021 Updates

Information for NHSN users – Important Information for Long-term Care Facility Users

The NHSN team will offer trainings providing basic guidance for data entry for the NHSN Long-term Care Facility COVID-19 Point of Care (POC) Test Reporting Tool as well as tool updates released on February 4, 2021. The trainings may be a live presentation or a previously recorded presentation, but all sessions will allow for submission of audience questions with NHSN staff response. A recorded webinar will be posted for on-line viewing.

The NHSN option enables nursing homes to enter POC laboratory test data into the NHSN application. NHSN, in turn, will report the nursing home POC laboratory test data electronically to the public health agency, state or local, that has jurisdictional authority and responsibility to receive and use the nursing home’s data. Deidentified nursing home POC laboratory data will also be reported via existing public health reporting mechanisms to the US Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act requirements.

**Please note the webinars have the same link. Attendees will be able to choose which session they are able to attend. Both webinars are identical in content, so please plan to attend once.

Topic: Point of Care Test (POCT) Reporting Tool for COVID-19 – Updates
Date: Thursday, Feb 11, 2021
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM Eastern Time

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_dp03SRQnSYeOfcBFy2CAmQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

Topic: Point of Care Test (POCT) Reporting Tool for COVID-19 – Updates
Date: Friday, Feb 12, 2021
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM Eastern Time

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_dp03SRQnSYeOfcBFy2CAmQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Please do not reply to this email. Responses to this email will not be received by the NHSN Team. To contact NHSN, please send a new email to: nhsn@cdc.gov.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Long Term Care Regulation (SLCR) is soliciting public comments on the below proposed rulemaking. The proposed rulemaking will be published in the February 16, 2021 Volume 46, Number 4 of the Missouri Register at http://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/moreg/moreg.asp.

  • 19 CSR 30-81.030 Evaluation and Assessment Measures for Title XIX Recipients and Applicants

NOTE: The public comment period will be from February 16 – March 18, 2021. The Department will be accepting comments during the comment period by mailing the comments to Steve Bollin, Director of the Division of Regulation and Licensure, PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570 or by emailing to RegulationUnit@health.mo.gov.

The proposed rule can be reviewed on our website at: https://health.mo.gov/about/proposedrules/.

MHCA Events

Cultivating LTC Leaders: Topics in Regulatory, Legal and Compliance Management12-month webinar series
January – December 2021

Standards of Care: Master the Core Elements of LTC Clinical Excellence12-month webinar series
January – December 2021

Medicare from Start to Finish – Virtual workshop
February 9-10, 2021

RAI Process from Start to Finish – Virtual Workshop
March 16-18, 2021

Federal Review Course for Nursing Home Administrators – Virtual Workshop
April 19-20, 2021