As a reminder, in mid-August, HHS modified which providers are eligible to apply for the Phase 2 General Distribution to include not only the Medicaid, CHIP and dental providers but also clarified and added the following:
It’s official HHS has opened the Provider Relief Funds application process to the following Medicare providers (this list includes some newly eligible categories of providers):
The multi association plan was to make the portal link and instructions available on Wednesday, July 29. However, while the portal is built and seems intuitive and easy to navigate, providers testing the system encountered glitches. Therefore, the vendor is working to fix those glitches and retest before the associations distribute to members to ensure an optimal experience once the portal goes live. Members are understandably anxious about the short timeframe to submit the data and don't wish to miss their opportunity.
These aides – or Basic Care Aides, as they are called in a LeadingAge-supported training program - help out certified nursing assistants with tasks that do not require a license. These aides may be current employees who were cross-trained – or, displaced workers from other fields.
Late July 27, Senate Republicans unveiled their COVID relief package. LeadingAge is currently reviewing the proposals. The package includes a reemployment bonus, and a retention bonus aimed at keeping workers on the payroll.
Key among our requests have been ensuring pandemic hero pay, paid sick leave, and health care coverage to recognize the frontline workers who are risking their own lives serving older people during this crisis.
These letters notifying providers of noncompliance with QRP are distributed to SNFs in at least one of three possible ways: 1) through the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs); 2) placed in a provider’s CASPER folders in QIES; and/or a 3) Via U.S. Postal Service. Providers deemed noncompliant will see their Medicare Fee For Service rates reduced 2% beginning October 1, 2020.
The Explainer breaks down the information by type of distribution (e.g., General Distribution, SNF Targeted Distribution or Medicaid/CHIP Distribution), lists available resources both internal and external, identifies and defines the steps providers must undertake upon receipt of funds, defines key terms, highlights hot topics and discusses additional frequently asked questions.
On June 30, Sens. Casey (D-PA), Whitehouse (D-RI), Hassan (D-NH), Shaheen (D-NH), and Blumenthal (D-CT) held the Senate floor urging passage of Sen. Casey and Whitehouse’s bill, “Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act of 2020”, which LeadingAge has endorsed.
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