LeadingAge Texas provides crucial, proactive oversight, and key contacts to help your organization stay compliant, informed, and connected. This weekly update summarizes state and federal guidelines and regulatory updates related to COVID-19.

Questions? Ask LeadingAge Texas, your national association, or one another.

There are many ways to get help during this crisis. Contact LeadingAge Texas' team directly or submit questions here. If you have questions about national issues, contact LeadingAge national's team directly or by email at covid@leadingage.org. Join the LeadingAge Member Community COVID-19 group to ask questions, access resources, and share best practices for dealing with the coronavirus.

Stay up-to-date by visiting the LeadingAge Texas COVID-19 Resources page and the LeadingAge national COVID-19 Resources page.

THERE'S STILL TIME TO RSVP!
Spring 2021 Virtual Networking Event
March 23 • 12 - 2 pm CT • Virtual Event

If you haven't already, RSVP to join us for tomorrow's FREE Virtual Networking Event. You'll come away from the event feeling more connected with your LeadingAge Texas community & the membership efforts that strengthen our association!

What to Expect:
• A learn-at-lunch presentation on “Coping with Loss Within the Community”
• A call-to-action & tips for advocating for your organization
• Breakout discussions led by your respective Network Representative to share ideas on boosting employee morale

NOTICE:
COVID-19 Discussion Calls

REMINDER: In lieu of the tomorrow's COVID-19 Discussion Call, LeadingAge Texas is hosting a free Virtual Networking Event from 12 - 2 pm CT for the membership. 

UPDATE: Beginning in April, COVID-19 Discussion Calls will be held twice a month on the first and third Tuesdays from 1-2 pm CT. 

Past session recordings, PowerPoints, and additional materials are available here.

This Week's LeadingAge Coronavirus Policy Updates

Join us on Monday, March 22 at 2:30 pm for the latest policy updates and a conversation on a program to engage residents and alleviate the impact of isolation.  Amber Carroll of COVIA will discuss the Well Connected program, that has attracted 80% of residents. On Wednesday, CDC staffer Sara Oliver will join to answer questions about the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and discuss what it might mean for aging services communities. 

Learn more and register >>

Legal Aspects of Documentation
April 6 • 1 - 2 pm CT • Webinar

This session will review regulatory requirements and best practices for completing legally sound documentation that supports the facility met the standard of care. Through lecture and mock deposition analysis we will identify critical legal and AHIMA documentation principles to apply in your daily practical operations to promote resident well-being and minimize potential risks.

Learn more and register >>
Register for the full series to save >>

2021 Finance & Strategy Symposium
April 7 + 8 • Virtual Event

Join LeadingAge Texas & Ziegler for this two-day symposium focused on strategic trends in the aging services sector. This symposium was built to provide industry insight to senior living community leadership (CEOs, CFOs, board members, etc.) about how to not only navigate current trends, but to offer strategies on how to thrive in the current economy and the state of the capital lending environment.

Learn more and register >>

HHSC CNA Strong Virtual Symposium
April 8 • 8:30 am - 6 pm CT • Virtual Event

Register for this free, full-day symposium for CNAs. There are separate sessions for nurses, administrators and other long-term care leaders.

Learn more and register* >>
*Click the session titles to register

Care of the Dialysis Recipient
April 20 • 1 - 2 pm CT • Webinar

This session will review regulatory requirements and best practices specific to the resident receiving in-house or offsite dialysis with guidance on pre- and post-treatment monitoring protocols. Through lecture and case study analysis we will identify critical nursing assessment and documentation principles to apply in your daily practical operations to promote resident well-being and minimize potential risks.

Learn more and register >>
Register for the full series to save >>

Selling During a Pandemic (And We are ALWAYS in a Pandemic!)
April 21 • 12 - 4 pm CT • Virtual Event

Make plans to join us for a deep-dive session into the critical role of selling in the senior living industry. Not marketing, but SELLING. Specifically, we will seek to change our behavior to adopt a “Selling to the Individual” model versus “Marketing to the Collective” model. The participant will learn to develop relationships of trust with both internal and external customers. In addition, effective communication skills will be discussed which again lead to trust-based relationships.

Learn more and register >>

Guarantee Your Meeting On Lobby Day: Register Now!
April 21 • Virtual Event

Every year, LeadingAge connects members with their lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for policies that remove barriers to care, advocate for more affordable senior housing, develop new services, improve reimbursement, and make America a better place for older adults. Join LeadingAge’s Lobby Day on April 21, 2021. Register before March 24 for guaranteed scheduling with your lawmakers.

Learn more and register >>

LATEST UPDATES & RESOURCES

HHSC Updates Nursing Facility and Assisted Living Visitation Rules

HHSC will be publishing the new rules in the Texas Register today. These rules are in line with recent CMS guidance and effective March 23, 2021. 

• View draft NF rules
• View CMS and HHSC Side-by-Side Comparison Chart for NFs
• View draft ALF rules

Provider Relief Fund Survey

According to HHS, roughly $24 billion remains in the Provider Relief Fund general pot, as well as an additional $8.5 billion set aside for rural providers from the American Relief Plan. Without further Congressional action to appropriate more, this will be the end of the funds. We need your help to make the case to Congress about how much more you need. Please fill out this survey to find out the effect the Provider Relief Fund has had on your organization and how much more you might need to get through the pandemic. Question? Please contact Nicole Fallon.

Texas/HHSC:

Recording of NF COVID-19 March 17 Webinar with LTCR Available

HHSC Publishes PPE Guidance for Staff and Clients

New Computer-Based Training Now Available for Long-Term Care Providers

March 16 Recording of Clarification of Administrative Penalties and Related Processes Webinar Available

Reminder: Providers Can Request Free COVID-19 Testing Kits

Enrollment for NF QIPP Year Five is Now Open

NFs Encouraged to Provide Input About Their CNA Workforce

Comments on Proposed Rules Due 4/12 on Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program

HHSC Publishes EVV Requirements of Signatures on Enrollment Documentation (IL 2021-13)

HHSC Publishes Minimizing Claim Rejection for Service Group 6 (IL 2021-12)

HHSC COVID-19 Provider Updates | HHSC Gov Email & Text Updates

Federal/CMS:

Home Health and Hospice Weekly: Recap of LeadingAge Updates

Nursing Home Weekly: Recap of LeadingAge Updates

House Votes to Suspend Medicare Sequester and PAYGO Cuts

The Impact of COVID-19 on Nursing Home Residents and Staff and What We Can Do Better

Bill Introduced to Expand Broadband in Affordable Housing

Biden-Harris Administration Increases Medicare Payment for Life-Saving COVID-19 Vaccine

Overview: Care For Our Seniors Act

The American Rescue Plan and State and Local Financing

HUD:

Senior Housing Weekly: Recap of LeadingAge Updates

HUD Secretary Issues First Public Address

"Fully Vaccinated" Recommendations and Affordable Housing

White House Advisor on Housing and Urban Policy Announced

Join us May 25+26 at the 2021 Virtual Annual Conference & Solutions EXPO!

In educational sessions, during networking events and in the EXPO, you'll have many opportunities to exchange insights with others who share your interests and face similar challenges.

Apply for a scholarship thru March 26>>
Learn more and register thru May 4 to Save >>

COVID-19 TESTING, PPE, & RE-OPENING SOLUTIONS

COVID-19 TESTING SOLUTIONS

McKesson – PPE & Rapid Test Cards
McKesson does continue to see additional improvement in the supply of certain high demand PPE items.  Also Abbott BinaxNOW test cards will become available for purchase in March. 

• McKesson PPE
• CareStart Antigen Test Card
• Value First Flu Pre-Book Form
• Level II Gowns are available for a Bulk Purchase at $1.00 per gown for orders 20,000 and above. ( Non-Bulk orders are available as well).

Please reach out to your McKesson representative to receive updated availability. You may also reach out to Ann Castro, (817) 680-5471 should you have any further questions. Thank you!

Direct Supply – PPE & Re-Opening Solutions
Direct Supply has a robust portfolio of reopening solutions in addition to their PPE offerings:

• Shop Direct Supply March Discounts
• Direct Supply PPE
• Emergency Preparedness List
• Electrostatic Disinfecting Sprayers
• Covid-19 Equipment Solutions

For more information, please reach out to your Direct Supply Capital Consultants for North (Matt Christensen) and South (Mike Hankte) Texas.

Gulf Coast Paper - Network Distribution Free Electrostatic Sprayer Promotion
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on public health and Long Term Care facilities have been hit hard disproportionately. In order to help lessen the burden of infection by maintaining a healthier and safer facility, we, in partnership with Network, created the Clorox® Total 360® COVID Response Program. Purchase 2 cases of our disinfectant and sanitizer per month per device for 2 years and we will give you our Clorox® Total 360® Electrostatic Sprayer (est. value $4,995) for free.

• Clorox Total 360 Program Information
• Clorox Total 360 LOP

For more information please reach out to: Don Dempski, Director of National Accounts, Gulf Coast Paper Company.