Advocacy Update! New Bill Would End Federal Requirement that State Medicaid Programs Recoup Costs from Families In February U.S. House Representative Jan Schakowsky introduced the Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act, which would repeal a federal law which requires state Medicaid programs to recover long-term care costs from estates of deceased recipients. The law often forces family […]
Category Archives: News
Advocacy Update! Senate Bill 11 Your voice was heard, and the Senate Committee Substitute of Senate Bill 11 grants Assisted Living residents with the same rights as other long-term care residents. In addition, Assisted Living residents will have access to the Ombudsman program. In case you missed it, Senate Bill 11 was filed on 1/4/2022 and is […]
On November 12, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revised their Coronavirus Disease 2019 Public Health Emergency guidance for nursing facilities Memorandum QSO-20-39. Visitation is now allowed at all times for all residents, including indoor visitation. Read the entire e-newsletter here.
Thank you to Governor Andy Beshear for proclaiming October Residents’ Rights Month in Kentucky! Residents’ Rights Right to Be Fully Informed Right to Complain Right to Participate in One’s Own Care Right to Privacy and Confidentiality Rights During Transfers and Discharges Right to Dignity, Respect, and Freedom including freedom from abuse and neglect Right to […]
New COVID-19 Guidance Issued September 10, 2021 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) memo QSO-20-38-NH REVISED 09/10/2021 regarding the Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency related to Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements was released Friday September 10. In this version of the latest […]
Residents Eligible for Booster Shot State health commissioner Dr. Steven Stack announced on August 17, 2021 that residents of Kentucky’s long term care facilities are eligible to have a third booster shot against COVID-19. In a letter to providers and their pharmacies Dr. Stack wrote, “Due to the age, condition, and high COVID-19 mortality rate of nursing […]
NEW GUIDANCE! Restrictions are reduced for long-term care On May 13, 2021, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services released Provider Guidance Update: Phased Reduction of Restrictions for Long Term Care Facilities. As everyone knows by now, long-term care was hardest hit by COVID-19 because residents of these facilities tend to be older and have multiple […]
The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services Issued New Visitation Guidance for Nursing Facilities. The new guidance allows indoor and outdoor visits for all residents, except in limited circumstances. Infection prevention protocols are still in place and must be followed by all visitors. Visitation is allowed regardless of vaccination status. Limitations on visitation may occur: for unvaccinated […]
The LTC COVID-19 county indicator map is changing colors! At one time all 120 counties in KY were in the red. As counties move out of the red nursing facilities are able to resume more indoor visitation. According to guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19 one tool facilities use […]
Visiting Residents in LTC Facilities The in the newsletter above on devastating effects of lockdowns on residents points out that in September 2020, The federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) eased visitation restrictions and permitted visits under limited circumstances. Since September nursing facilities have been allowed by federal COVID-19 guidance to coordinate Compassionate […]