State Waivers For Skilled Nursing Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities

SLCR has issued guidance for the implementation of state waivers related to skilled and intermediate care facilities. Please read through this important guidance.

Questions regarding these waivers should be directed to RegulationUnit@health.mo.gov.

Please see the attachments below for details.
SNF-ICF Waiver Implementation 4-17-20
Intermediate Care and Skilled Nursing 4-14-20
Intermediate Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities 4-14-20
Intermediate Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities 4-15-20
Intermediate Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities (2) 4-15-20

Residential Care Facility II Waivers

SLCR has issued guidance for the implementation of state waivers related to homes who are licensed as Residential Care Facilities (II) and comply with Administrative, Personnel and Resident Care Requirements under 19CSR30-86.043. Please read through this important guidance.

Questions related to these waivers can be emailed to RegulationUnit@health.mo.gov.

Please see the documents below for details.
RCF II Waiver Implementation Guidance 4-17-20
Residential Care Facility II Requirements 4-14-20
Residential Care Facility II Requirements 4-16-20

Important Information Regarding State Waiver Implementation for the Insulin Administration Training Program

SLCR has issued guidance for the implementation of state waivers related to the insulin administration program. Please read through this important guidance. Questions regarding these waivers should be directed to CNARegistry@health.mo.gov.

Please see the documents below for details.
Insulin Administration Program Waiver Implementation 84.040
Insulin Administration Training Program 4-14-20

New QIPMO Newsletter – April 2020

The Quality Improvement Program for Missouri (QIPMO) has published MDS Tips and Clinical Pearls – Volume 7, Issue 3.

In this issue:

  • Be a Nurse!
  • Your Role in Infection Prevention
  • Nursing Care to Manage Respiratory Distress/Illness
  • Environmental Cleaning and Disinfecting in a COVID-19 World
  • Staying Social while Social Distancing

Please visit QIPMO’s website here for this and other previous newsletters.

A Message of Hope from MC5

To All Missourians from the Regional Representatives and Board of Directors of MC5…

This year represents our 15th anniversary. Needless to say, this isn’t how we intended to roll out the new logo, ideas, and celebrate with you all. But upon reflection, it’s ironically appropriate. For many years, culture change coalitions like MC5 and the Pioneer Network have worked hard to define person-directed care and place value on those who depend on us in healthcare. Whether that be veterans, skilled nursing facilities, assisted livings, residential care, those in hospice or in group homes, people with developmental disabilities, and even our own family members–we’ve talked about creating that home-like environment and changing the language. We’ve created Green houses and new dining standards, and tools like the artifacts of culture change.

But in March of 2020, all that progress came to a halt. For the simple safety of our residents and staff, we had to lock front doors, isolate to rooms, stop group activities, and scatter people around the dining room. But as this virus rages through our country and hits our most vulnerable populations, we’re seeing something that years of programs, conferences, and webinars could never produce. We’re seeing humanity, and that is the heart of culture change. No longer are our residents seen by some as a byproduct of a forward-moving society. Instead, they are a living testament that in the face of adversity, life goes on!

MC5 wants to thank all of our friends and partners for a wonderful 15 years, with a special recognition of the MO Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the Missouri Healthcare Association (MHCA), the Missouri Assisted Living Association (MALA), the Missouri League for Nursing (MLN), the Ombudsman program, and Missouri Leading Age, as well as those corporations, DMEs, hospice companies, food suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, and so many, many more that have helped us bring education throughout the state.

We are honored to continue to fight alongside you. Stay in, stay safe, stay strong. Thank-you.

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Check out our Facebook page for inspiring stories of Missourians making a difference during COVID-19.
#COVIDcan’ttouchthis
MC5 Facebook.com/MC5

HQIN: COVID-19 Focused Survey Readiness Book & Office Hours Call

As your CMS-funded Quality Innovation Network – Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO), the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) offers resources to help you deliver the best possible care to your residents. To prepare your facility for the COVID-19 Focused Survey, we have created a “COVID-19 Focused Survey Readiness Book,” a comprehensive checklist intended to help facilitate a smoother survey. This three-page resource outlines the required entrance documents as well as additional resources that may be requested during the survey. Having these documents in-hand before the survey is initiated will ensure you are well prepared for the visit.

HQIN will be hosting a COVID-19 Focus Survey Preparedness “Office Hours” call on Wednesday, April 15 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT. Click here to register.

We encourage you to submit questions in advance to aspangler@hqi.solutions with “Office Hours” in the subject line. There will also be a live Q&A.

 

Important Information Regarding State Waiver Implementation for the Certified Medication Technician Training Program

SLCR has issued guidance for the implementation of state waivers related to the certified medication technician training program. Please read through this important guidance. Questions regarding these waivers should be directed to CNARegistry@health.mo.gov.

Please see the documents below for details.
CMT Waiver Implementation 4-9-20
Certified Medication Technician Training Program 4-9-20

Important Information Regarding State Waiver Implementation for the Level I Medication Aide Training Program

SLCR has issued guidance for the implementation of state waivers related to the Level I Medication Aide training program. Please read through this important guidance. Questions regarding these waivers should be directed to CNARegistry@health.mo.gov.

Please see the documents below for details.
LIMA Waiver Implementation 4-9-20
Level I Medication Aide 4-9-20

CMS Call on COVID-19 with Nursing Homes

Please join the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a call on COVID-19 with Nursing Homes today, Wednesday, April 8th at 3:30 PM CST. CMS leadership will provide updates on the agency’s latest guidance and we will be joined by leaders in the field interested in sharing best practices with their peers. The call will be recorded if you are unable to join us.

Dial-in details below. Conference lines are limited, so we highly encourage you to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser. You are welcome to share this invitation with your colleagues and membership.

Date: Wednesday, April 8th from 3:30 – 4:00 PM CST
Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820
Conference ID: 6798274
Web Link: https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=fe1249b7-a24740a4-fe127888-0cc47adb5650-02e519beae86a324&u=https://engage.vevent.com/rt/cms2/index.jsp?seid=1822

Missouri Interim Guidance on Crisis Capacity Strategies for PPE

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has created a document offering guidance on strategies for optimizing the use of PPE during crisis capacity. Please utilize the strategies in this document, as appropriate, to conserve PPE supply. The document can be found at: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/pdf/ppe-usage.pdf.

Important Information Regarding State and Federal Waiver Implementation for the Nurse Assistant Training Program

SLCR has issued guidance for the implementation of federal and state waivers related to the training and certification of nurse aides. Please read through this important guidance. Questions regarding these waivers and the nurse aide certification process should be directed to CNARegistry@health.mo.gov.

Please see the Nurse Aide Registry Waiver Implementation 4-7-2020 for details.

COVID-19 Reporting of Confirmed and Presumptive Cases

The Department of Health and Senior Services issued guidance regarding reporting of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases. The guidance can be found at: https://health.mo.gov/emergencies/ert/alertsadvisories/index.php.

Effective immediately, long term care communities must report these cases directly to DHSS utilizing the Disease Case Report (CD-1 Form). The CD-1 form can be accessed at https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/communicabledisease/cdmanual/pdf/CD-1.pdf.

There are two methods of communicating this information: fax or Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). The information reported will be communicated with the Local Public Health Agency (LPHA). Long term care communities may continue to reach out directly to their respective LPHA as well.

Please see the Health Update for details.

Resident Advocate Newsletter April 2020

The April 2020 Resident Advocate is now available.

The Resident Advocate provides:

  • Information on residents’ rights and care issues
  • News and updates on national policy
  • Self-advocacy tips for obtaining person-centered, quality care

This issue includes updates on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and suggestions for staying engaged and advocating for yourself to continue to receive the care you deserve. This issue also features an article on COVID-19 prevention tips and ideas to stay connected with friends and family during isolation.

This newsletter is a great resource to share with long-term care residents. Nursing home staff, long-term care Ombudsman programs, family members, and other advocates are encouraged to forward this newsletter to residents or print and share copies with residents. Download this issue or past issues from this webpage.

NOTE: The Resident Advocate newsletter is usually mailed free of charge to residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, board and care facilities, and individuals receiving long-term care in their home or community. However, because of COVID-19, this issue is only being offered virtually.

Important Information Regarding 1135 Waiver Implementation for Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR)

Background:
On March 25, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services notified MO HealthNet Division of their approval of a Federal Section 1135 Waiver request to suspend pre-admission screening and annual resident review (PASRR) Section 1919(e)(7) of the Act allows Level I and Level II assessments to be waived for 30 days. All new admissions can be treated like exempted hospital discharges. After 30 days, new admissions with mental illness (MI) or intellectual disability (ID) should receive a Resident Review as soon as resources become available.

Effective April 2, 2020 and until April 25, 2020, certified Skilled Nursing Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities may follow the process outlined below for new admissions into Medicaid-certified beds.

For an applicant that may require a Level II evaluation (have a qualifying mental illness (MI) or intellectual disability (ID) diagnosis):

  • The applicant may enter the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) prior to completion of a Level II PASRR evaluation or Special Admission Category.
  • The Hospital (or other individual completing the paperwork) will send the completed DA 124 C form to the SNF prior to discharge. The SNF should review the client’s information to ensure the Level of Care points (24) would meet prior to admission and ensure they have enough information to determine if they can meet the medical and behavioral needs of the individual.
  • The SNF will submit the entire DA 124 application (DA 124 A/B, DA 124 C and any other supporting documentation) with a Special Admission Category form indicating “Waiver due to COVID-19” to COMRU@health.mo.gov. The SNF should indicate if the client plans to reside at the SNF after 30 days.
  • DHSS recommends that SNFs submit the complete DA 124 application to COMRU within 14 days of admission to the SNF.
  • Once received, COMRU will determine if the applicant meets Level of Care and refer applicants requiring a Level II PASRR screening to DMH.
  • After 30 days, new admissions with mental illness (MI) or intellectual disability (ID) will receive a Resident Review as soon as resources become available.

For completed applications already submitted to COMRU for processing:

  • The applicant may enter the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) prior to completion of a Level II PASRR evaluation or Special Admission Category.
  • COMRU will process all pending Level II PASRR applications as Special Admission Category #5 indicating “Waiver due to COVID -19”.
  • Upon discharge, the hospital or other submitter will notify COMRU via email of the following information:  the client’s name, DCN or SSN#, and the receiving SNF information (Name, Telephone number and fax number).
  • The hospital/submitter will ensure a copy of the DA 124 application (DA 124 A/B form and DA 124 C form) are sent to the accepting SNF prior to discharge.

This information should be added to the DA 124 application in process and sent to DMH. For the DA 124 applications that were already referred for Level II PASRR screening, DHSS will notify DMH and Bock & Associates via email of the individuals change in location.

Questions regarding this process can be directed to COMRU@health.mo.gov. The DA 124 application (DA 124 A/B form, DA 124 C form and Special Admission Category Referral form) can be accessed at https://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/pasrr.php.

Transfers Between Hospitals and LTC

The Missouri Hospital Association, Long Term Care Associations and the Department have collaborated to provide guidance on transfers between hospitals and long-term care communities. These documents may be used to help guide decision making during this time.

Please see the documents below for further reference.
Post-Acute Care and Behavioral Health to Hospital Transfer
Hospital to Facility Transfer