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.

LeadingAge Coronavirus Policy Updates

Join LeadingAge today, Wednesday, and Thursday at 2:30 pm CT for online policy updates. Today, Dr. Lee Fleisher, CMS Medical Director and head of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, will talk about the IFR and what’s coming next down the pike. On Wednesday, LeadingAge member Gus Keach-Longo will explain how his community worked with residents and staff to change their rules around masking in public areas. On Thursday, LeadingAge member Lori Summers will discuss how her organization achieved high vaccination rates.

Learn more and register >>

You can register for our Virtual Annual Conference & Solutions EXPO throughout the duration of the conference, but the sooner you register, the sooner you can connect with our conference platform. From exchanging ideas and experiences with colleagues state wide to exploring bold new strategies for propelling our field forward, you won't want to miss this opportunity to come together!

Driving Excellence through QAPI
June 1 • 1 - 2 pm CT • Webinar

This webinar will provide guidance for incorporating QAPI principles into existing facility continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities. Self-assessment for goal setting, QAPI written plan, policies, and leadership’s role in accountability for QAPI programs with case examples of Performance Improvement Projects will be reviewed.

Learn more and register >>

Strengthening the Direct Care Workforce
June 3 • 11 am - 12:30 pm CT • Webinar

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed long-standing fault lines in the direct care workforce—the people who provide hands-on care and supervision to frail older adults and people with disabilities. On June 3, LeadingAge’s Senior Vice President of Research, Robyn Stone, will participate in a webinar hosted by Mathematica to discuss evidence-based policies and practices for strengthening the direct care workforce in the wake of the pandemic.

Learn more and register >>

Skin/Wound Care, Pressure Injury/Ulcer Prevention
June 15 • 1 - 2 pm CT • Webinar

This webinar will review regulatory requirements and best practices for assessing skin, preventing, identifying and treating wounds, and monitoring changes in skin condition to ensure optimal resident outcomes. 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 >>

LATEST UPDATES & RESOURCES

New Guidance for LTC Facilities on Masks

On Friday, HHSC issued new guidance in response to Executive Order GA-36, which prohibits governmental entities, such as HHSC, from mandating face coverings in response to the COVID-19 disaster.

Providers must continue to comply with applicable infection control rules, including those addressing compliance with CDC and CMS guidance. Certified nursing facilities must continue to comply with CMS rules regarding masks. Assisted living facilities and licensed only nursing facilities may incorporate CDC guidance related to masking in their infection control policies and procedures.

DSHS has updated guidance for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Guidance for residents and staff of healthcare settings can be found in the Infection Control after Vaccination section of the CDC website.

Facilities should continue to follow PPE requirements when taking transmission based precautions. HHSC is in the process of revising emergency rules in response to the Governors order and recent updates to CDC guidance. Questions may be sent to Alyse Meyer at alyse@leadingagetexas.org. 

HCBS Infrastructure Action Alert

Aging services are an essential part of the nation’s infrastructure. Right now, we don’t have the infrastructure for aging services that we need. We now have the opportunity to invest $400 billion in home and community-based services as Congress considers the President’s proposal on providing these services as part of the next infrastructure package. ACT NOW by contacting your U.S. Representative and Senators and urging them to invest in our aging services infrastructure.

Public Perceptions of Aging Services Survey

LeadingAge is hard at work developing an initiative to build awareness of our field and the incredible work your organizations do every day. To ensure we get it right, we need to hear from you! We’ll use your insight, along with other research, to ground our strategies and materials in the best learning—so that we can build the most effective communications toolbox for you and your colleagues from across the continuum. Please complete this 5-minute survey ASAP (no later than Friday, May 28).

CDC Call to Action for Healthcare Providers

CDC shared by email a “Call to Action for Healthcare Providers,” asking them to make a strong recommendation to patients that they get a COVID vaccine. The note says that healthcare providers’ recommendations are one of the most important factors in a patient’s decision to accept vaccination. The Call to Action includes extensive resources on communicating, answering questions, and conducting outreach, as well as resources providers can use.

Texas/HHSC:

Reminder: State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee Applications Due May 31

New Guidance for Long-term Care Facilities, HCSSAs and In-patient Hospices on Masks

New Long-Term Care (LTC) User Guide for LTC Providers Now Available

QIPP Reporting and Performance Requirements Reinstated

HHSC has Published COVID-19 Emergency Rules related to Nurse Aide Transition from Temporary Status

May 19 Recording of ALF Provider COVID-19 Webinar with LTCR Available

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Value-Based Payment and Quality Improvement Advisory Committee Applications Due June 1, 2021

HHSC Plans to Submit 1115 Waiver Extension Application

HHSC-21-0112 - Nurse Aide Transition COVID-19 Emergency Rule - Emergency Rule Filing Notification

2021 Hurricane Season Emergency Preparedness with COVID-19

Test Kits Available for LTC Providers with Abbott ID NOW Machines

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

Federal/CMS:

Nursing Home Weekly: Recap of LeadingAge Update

Home Health and Hospice Weekly: Recap of LeadingAge Update

Life Plan Community Weekly: Recap of LeadingAge Update

CMS Staff Insights: Interview with Holly Norelli – May 20,2021

State by State Face Mask Mandates

Providers Await HHS Action, While Provider Relief Fund Deadlines Loom And Losses Mount

Workforce Legislation Introduced that Invest in Direct Care Worker Career Opportunities 

CMS Updates Guidance for Emergency Preparedness - Appendix Z of the SOM

HUD:

Senior Housing Weekly: Recap of LeadingAge Update

HUD Physical Inspection Bill Introduced

State-Level Projections of Older Adult Renters

Amicus Brief: Protect Nonprofit Low Income Housing Tax Credit Housing

Save the Date: Pre-1974 Section 202 Preservation

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

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

• McKesson PPE

Please reach out to your McKesson representative for pricing and to place your order! 

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

• Direct Supply Goodview Temperature Screening Solution
• Direct Supply PPE
• 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.

SecureTech – Temperature Screening Solution
SecureTech was launched to provide safe, simple and secure temperature screening entry solutions for offices, facilities and venues. Building on experience, a passion for doing the job right and exceeding customer expectations, we are committed to delivering customized technology solutions that allow our clients to thrive.

• SecureTech Safety Solutions