Skilled Nursing Facilities have taken the brunt COVID cases with about 69-71% of the facilities currently reporting a COVID positive or suspected case (counting both residents and staff). Assisted living facilities have seen the most dramatic increase in cases.  

While the data is showing that LTC facilities reporting suspected or positive is starting to flatten, we don’t have enough of a trend to be too excited just yet.

FEMA PPE distribution.

It was reported earlier in the week that FEMA will be delivering PPE to skilled nursing facilities. There have been few details released on how this will be distributed and what agency this will be coordinated under. We also noted and complained that assisted living or other HCBS services, aren’t included in the distribution plan.

Since this meeting, it has been reported that, under the direction of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, FEMA will coordinate two shipments totaling a 14-day supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to more than 15,400 Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing homes across the Nation. LeadingAge will continue to advocate for both increasing the PPE distributed and expanding the distribution to also include licensed only SNFs and HCBS. You can find a story on out advocacy here.

CARES Funding 

Very little details have been shared about the CARES funding in HCBS. Only that other Medicaid providers may see money as early as next week, but have still not heard any details on exactly who it will go to. Those funds are specifically needed for: testing, workforce, loss of revenue, and PPE. Lack of federal relief is compounded by the fact that our state funds, using enhanced FMAP dollars and retainer payments, have yet to be distributed.

Mandatory Testing 

On April 23, the EEOC updated its COVID-19 guidance, expressly stating that employers can require employees to participate in COVID-19 testing before they are allowed to enter the workplace, even if they do not exhibit symptoms of the virus. This is a change of the previous guidance where an asymptomatic employee could not be required to test.  

This change is welcome, however, highlights the need for additional guidance on what to do with asymptomatic staff who will likely test positive.

We will continue to update you on these calls. 

Questions?

Contact:

Alyssa Odegaard- Vice President, Public Policy 

c: 206.948.2279