Skilled Nursing

The HRSA Provider Relief Fund reporting portal is open right now for providers to submit their reports for Reporting Period 5 (RP5). RP5 reports cover PRF and ARP rural payments received between Jan. 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022. Keep in mind, these funds could be used for COVID-related expenses and lost revenues incurred between Jan. 1, 2020 and June 30, 2023. HRSA made an important change to the use of lost revenues for future reports after RP5. For reporting period 6 and beyond, providers will only be able to apply PRF and ARP rural funds to COVID-related lost revenues incurred up to June 30, 2023. Members are reminded that expenses and lost revenues are only allowable if they were connected to preventing, preparing for and/or responding to COVID-19. Some providers have recently had audit findings that identified unallowable costs. As there is no clear process currently for providers to correct previously filed PRF reports, these providers are being required to return some of their PRF funds. Watch tomorrow for an article with a few more details and resources on this topic.

Highlights: More than half of member nursing homes continue to turn down residents due to worker shortage and funding gap $99 million Medicaid increase needed in 2023-24 budget 7 of 10 PA nursing home residents rely on Medicaid

The Long-Term Care (LTC) Discussion Group’s monthly virtual meeting, set for March 30 from 2-3 p.m. will focus on “Exploring Stakeholder Perspectives on State-Based Catastrophic Long-Term Care Coverage.” Presenters John Cutler and John O’Leary will talk about their Society of Actuaries-sponsored study of various stakeholders’ views on backend (or catastrophic) coverage. The discussion will cover findings in the report, highlighting support and challenges for such a program, support (or not) for a mandatory program, concerns about the viability of a tax increase to support the program, and recognition of the value of working with existing programs (Medicaid and private LTC insurance).

This is a reminder that the 3% rate increase implemented on July 1, by Community HealthChoices managed care organization PA Health and Wellness as part of their Quality Incentive Program (QIP) will expire September 30, unless certain requirements of the QIP are met. For further instructions and education on this program, please click here to view an email sent to providers by PA Health and Wellness last week, which includes resources and contact information if you have questions. Among other requirements, please note that the NPI must be used when registering for training in the PA Long Term Care Learning Network in order to receive credit for attendance.

LeadingAge PA, the leading voice for senior services across Pennsylvania, today commented on the White House statement on improving safety and quality of care in the nation’s nursing homes.

LeadingAge PA today announced that Pennsylvania’s nursing homes were underfunded by nearly $1.2 billion in Medicaid in 2019-2020, according to a report commissioned by the Association. To begin helping address this inequity, LeadingAge PA is calling for state lawmakers to approve a $294 million increase in funding for the 2022-23 state budget.

LeadingAge PA President and CEO Adam Marles today issued the following statement on President Joe Biden's mandate that all nursing home workers be vaccinated: