Maine Department of Labor Releases Revised Paid Family Medical Leave Rules for Public Comment

• By: Ben Hawkins
• On: 08/29/2024 15:28:53
• In: Legislative/Government Affairs

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Labor has reviewed the over 1,000 comments submitted by nearly 300 people regarding the proposed rules for Maine's new Paid Family and Medical Leave Program, and has now released updated rules for public comment. The public can submit comments through a link on the Department’s website or mail through September 30, 2024.
“Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback during the first public comment period,” said Luke Monahan, Director of Paid Family and Medical Leave. “Your valuable input was taken into consideration, and the Department has modified the proposed rules as a result. Please review the changes that have been made and provide further comment if needed.”
The updated rules are posted, and comments can be submitted online at www.maine.gov/labor/rulemaking/. Comments can also be submitted to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program via mail sent to 50 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0050.

For those who are unable to provide comments through the above ways, the Department will also receive comments in person on September 17, 2024 at 9 a.m. in the Maine Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Room at 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta. Those who wish to listen, but not offer comment, can listen through the Department’s rulemaking site given above.
American Sign Language interpreters will be available. If you require other accommodations, please reach out to the Department with that information at 207-623-7900 or at www.maine.gov/labor/contact/ under "General Inquiries."

The new public comment period for Paid Family and Medical Leave rulemaking will end on September 30, 2024 at 5pm. Comments made by mail must have a postdate of September 30, 2024 or earlier.

The Department will continue to update its Paid Family and Medical Leave website whenever new information is available: www.maine.gov/labor/pfml/

Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org

DHHS Commissioner Confirmation Hearing Set for September 16th

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 08/29/2024 15:27:14
• In: Legislative/Government Affairs

POSITION:  Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services
NOMINEE:  Ms. Sara Gagne-Holmes of Readfield
PUBLIC HEARING: Monday, September 16, 2024, 10:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 209  before the Health and Human Services Committee

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Commissioner is responsible for the overall direction and supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services, which has broad statutory authority for the general supervision of the interests of health and life of all Maine citizens.  The Governor appoints the Commissioner, who is subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over human resources matters and to confirmation by the Legislature.  The Commissioner serves at the pleasure of the Governor.  The Department's specific duties and functions are outlined in 22 MRSA § 1 et seq.  These functions include carrying out programs in health care maintenance, protective services for children and adults, assistance programs for the economically indigent, rehabilitation of the physically handicapped, and services for the elderly.
The Commissioner has the power to distribute the functions and duties of the department among various bureaus, offices, and committees with the objectives of integrating the work properly and promoting the most economical and efficient administration of the department.  The Commissioner may employ any bureau and division heads, deputies, assistants and employees who may be necessary to carry out the work of the Department.

All personnel of the department are under the immediate supervision, direction and control of the Commissioner.

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: Written comments relevant to qualifications of the nominee may be filed with the Legislative Information Office by 9 am on the day of the hearing.

CONTACT PERSON: Casey Milligan, Legislative Information Office, 100 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0100; 207-287-1692
 
Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

Come out and support the Mike McNeil Scholarship Fund’s annual Golf Tournament Scholarship Fundraiser – Chance to win $10,000 Hole in One!

• By: Dianne Chicoine
• On: 08/29/2024 08:26:23
• In: Special Events

The Mike McNeil Scholarship Fund is hosting its annual fundraising golf tournament on October 15, 2024, at the Samoset Resort, Rockport, Maine. The Fund has awarded $78,250 to more than 128 students pursuing careers in long term care. Prizes will be awarded for individuals and teams PLUS a chance to win $10,000 for a Hole in One!
 

To fund the scholarship program, we need your support in the
form of sponsors and golfers for the tournament.

 

For more information, register to play and/or sponsor the event, click here. Don’t have a team? MHCA will pair you with other golfers.

The Samoset Resort golf course is suitable for players of all skill levels. The 18-hole championship Samoset Golf Course boasts seven oceanside holes, 14 holes with spectacular views of the Atlantic, and one of the most challenging finishing holes in New England. Golf Digest named the course the “Pebble Beach of the East” in a 2023 article. The golf complex also features a clubhouse with a golf range, practice green, short game facility with bunkers, Pro Shop and a Clubhouse Grille restaurant.
 
The Mike McNeil Scholarship Fund promotes careers in long term care through scholarships for individuals affiliated with MHCA long term care facilities. Scholarships are open to MHCA member facility employees, their immediate family members and volunteers wishing to pursue post-secondary education and training in the areas of Nursing, Physical or Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Social Work, Activities and Food Service.
 
Questions? Contact Dianne Chicoine, Tournament Coordinator (dchicoine@mehca.org or 207.623.1146, ext. 201)
 
Staff contact: dchicoine@mehca.org

Administrators- Complete Survey for $100!

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 08/28/2024 10:59:11
• In: Quality/Regulatory

The Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association-Paltmed (formerly the American Medical Directors Association) is offering $100 to administrators who complete a crucial survey on the cost/benefit of vaccinating in skilled nursing facilities or assisted living communities. This survey, conducted through a CDC-funded cooperative agreement, aims to better understand the operational value—beyond the positive clinical outcomes—of immunizing residents and staff.

Skilled Nursing Facility Administrators: Please complete this survey.

Assisted Living Administrators: Please complete this survey. 

If your organization serves both AL and SNF, please complete the survey for the side with more beds (AL or SNF). 
If you have any questions, please contact dcasey@paltmed.org

Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org

COVID-19 Vaccines for 2024-2025

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 08/28/2024 10:43:48
• In: COVID-19

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 season. These vaccines have been specifically designed to target the KP.2 strain, offering protection against the prevalent variants. Although the vaccine may have limited impact on the ongoing summer wave, it will be crucial as we approach the fall and winter seasons. It's important to note that while the vaccine may not completely prevent infection, it significantly lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, particularly among older adults and those with chronic health conditions.

In recent weeks, Maine along with the rest of the country has seen a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, marking the largest surge since January. This upward trend is also evident in long-term care (LTC) facilities, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealing a steady rise in new cases from May to August 2024. Experts attribute this increase to the emergence of new variants and waning immunity from vaccines administered over six months ago.

The most recent variant, named FLirT, comprises the KP.3, KP.3.1.1, and KP.2 strains. According to CDC data, the KP.3.1.1 variant is responsible for nearly 37% of current cases, followed by KP.3 at 17% and KP.2.3 at 14.4%.

Residents of LTC facilities are particularly vulnerable to respiratory viruses due to their age and underlying health issues. Prioritizing LTC residents for the fall vaccination campaign—including vaccines for flu, RSV, and COVID-19—will be key to protecting them from severe illness and hospitalization.

The new COVID-19 vaccine is now available through retail pharmacies, LTC pharmacies, and other suppliers. LTC providers should reach out to their LTC pharmacies to order the vaccine and arrange vaccination clinics.

Visit GetVaccinated.us for resources to help prepare for the upcoming respiratory virus season.
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org

Celebrate Inspiring Generations During National Assisted Living Week

• By: Ben Hawkins
• On: 08/22/2024 15:08:55
• In: Announcements/Reminders

FTC Non-Competes Ban Update – No Longer Effective Sept. 4th

• By: Ben Hawkins
• On: 08/22/2024 15:08:10
• In: Workforce

Fall Conference: Introduction to Keynote Melissa Forziat!

• By: Maureen Booth
• On: 08/21/2024 14:51:26
• In: Education

What does a doughnut have to do with pursuing your goals? Find out at our annual Fall Conference from October 15th to 17th, where Melissa Forziat will present:
Take the Doughnut - How to Go After What You Want!
Click here to watch a special welcome video from Melissa, created just for our conference! For more insights into Melissa's work and a taste of what’s in store, you can explore her YouTube channel here.
If you’d like more details about this exciting event happening at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine, you can view this year’s brochure on our website or register here!

MDS Changes Coming October 1st

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 08/21/2024 13:48:28
• In: Quality/Regulatory

The final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.19.1 is now available in the Downloads section on CMS’?MDS 3.0 RAI Manual webpage. It will be effective beginning October 01, 2024.

Changes in this version of the MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual contains:

Guidance for new MDS items, including:
   N0415K: Anticonvulsant and
   O0350: Resident’s COVID-19 vaccination is up to date. 
The Discharge Goals column in Section GG (items GG0130: Self-Care and GG0170: Mobility) has been removed. The guidance and examples in Section GG have been revised to reflect the change. 
Expanded guidance has been added regarding Manual Assessment Correction/Deletion Requests in Chapter 3, Section X, and Chapter 5 regarding situations where an erroneous PPS assessment is combined with an OBRA-required assessment (e.g., for a Medicare Advantage stay).
 
Maine will offer training on the updates; Zoom meeting training will be 2 hours in length and pre-registration is required.  

Select and click one of the following dates/times to register for the trainings.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

September 12, 2024 09:00am-11:00am (Meeting ID 890 5088 8840)
September 16, 2024 1:00pm-3:00pm (Meeting ID  829 1241 9019)
September 25, 2024 12:30pm-2:30 pm (Meeting ID 836 9434 9522)
 
Click here to access the handouts for this training.   
 
Staff Contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Final Rule Issued (CMS 1802-F)

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 08/15/2024 15:18:24
• In: Legislative/Government Affairs

At the end of July, CMS issued the final rule for the skilled for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2025 update.
 
Medicare rates are increasing by more than 4% in the coming fiscal year; however, it is disappointing to see that CMS enhanced its enforcement provisions around civil monetary penalties. CMS expanded the penalties that can be enforced allowing for more per instance and per day CMPs to be imposed, permitting both types of penalties to be imposed, not to exceed the statutory daily limits. Enforcement updates go into effect on October 5, 2025. However, CMS will operationalize these requirements beginning in March 2025.
 
Here are some highlights of the final rule:

• The final rule increases SNF PPS rates by 4.2%, or approximately $1.4 billion, beginning October 1, 2024. This is based on the SNF market basket increase of 3.0%, plus a 1.7% market basket forecast error adjustment, and a negative 0.5% productivity adjustment.
• The above impact figures do not incorporate the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) reductions for certain SNFs subject to the net reduction in payments under the SNF VBP program; those adjustments are estimated to total $187.7 million in FY 2025. CMS finalized several operational and administrative proposals for the SNF VBP program.
• CMS also finalized updates to the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP), SNF VBP program, SNF PPS Patient-Driven Payment Model ICD-10 Code Mappings, and the SNF PPS wage index.
• The rule finalizes revisions to regulation surrounding enforcement authority related to Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) that were outlined in the proposed rule. Under this new policy, State Survey Agencies, along with CMS would have the authority to issue Per Diem and Per Instance CMPs on the same survey, as well as the authority to issue multiple Per Instance CMPs when the same type of noncompliance is identified on more than one day. CMS or the States would also be able to impose CMPs for the number of days of previously cited noncompliance since the last three standard surveys for which a CMP has not yet been imposed.
• These enforcement updates go into effect October 5, 2025 (60-days after it is published in the Federal Register, scheduled to be published on August 6, 2024). However, CMS will operationalize these requirements beginning March 3, 2025.

AHCA has developed a summary of the final rule. You will be required to log in as a member to access.

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org