Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020 Baker announces continued efforts to support older adults Launches 2nd round of nursing home reforms; strengthens staff fl u vaccine requirements T he Baker-Polito Administration has begun implementing its second round of comprehensive nursing home reforms to keep older adults safe, improve the standards of care and infection control and respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the Accountability and Supports Package 2.0 announced in September, the first phase includes $82 million in restructured Medicaid rates and immediate steps to eliminate three- and four-person bedrooms in nursing homes. In addition, the state released updated surveillance testing guidance for nursing homes and rest homes and announced new funding for Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) to support surveillance testing. The Administration also announced strengthened flu vaccine requirements for staff at nursing homes, rest homes, ALRs, adult day health programs, and dialysis units to protect vulnerable residents and providers. More than 55,500 older adults live in 700 nursing homes, rest homes and ALRs in Massachusetts. The Administration has taken significant action to support these residents throughout the COVID-19 emergency, and the actions announced on October 6 reinforce the state’s commitment to improving care for these residents both during the pandemic and long-term. Nursing facility Accountability and Supports Package 2.0 The Executive Office of Health and Human Services is implementing the first phase of several significant reforms announced as part of the Accountability and Supports Package 2.0 in September. This package of reforms holds long-term care facilities to higher standards of care and infection control, provides up to $140 million in additional funding to nursing homes and restructures Medicaid rates to be consistent with the recommendations of the Nursing Facility Taskforce. This first phase of reforms includes: • Requiring nursing homes to take immediate steps to Caring for you in it’s what we do best Dental care at no cost to you $305 towards eyeglass frames YMCA membership or $55 per month for gym membership We speak your language Join today! Call 1-888-566-3526 (TTY 711) www.seniorwholehealth.com/SNP Senior Whole Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Senior Whole Health (HMO SNP) and Senior Whole Health NHC (HMO SNP) are Coordinated Care Plans with a Medicare Advantage contract and a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts/ EOHHS MassHealth program. Enrollment depends on annual contract renewal. H2224_2019_77906_M Accepted 9/24/2019 *Limitations may apply Nurse Care Manager to coordinate your care Up to $400 a year for health-related items Transportation to and from your doctor appointments* reduce or eliminate rooms with more than two residents to improve infection control standards and resident quality of life, the first step in eliminating threeand four-person bedrooms in nursing homes • $82 million in restructured Medicaid rates, which incentivize high-quality, high-occupancy, and care for high-acuity special populations, including residents with substance use disorder and/or several mental health diagnoses, while ensuring stability for high-Medicaid facilities • Strengthened criteria for nursing homes that establish isolation spaces for COVID-19-positive residents being discharged from hospitals, limiting isolation spaces to facilities that have a high-quality score from the state Department of Public Health (DPH), meet specific staffing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements and have no deficiencies on DPH infection BAKER | SEE PAGE 16
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