News

REPORT: Nursing Homes Down 221,000 Jobs Since Start Of Pandemic

November 10, 2021 — Long term care industry facing worst job loss among all health care providers  WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a report today... Read More

Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers

November 4, 2021 — The Biden-Harris Administration is requiring COVID-19 vaccination of eligible staff at health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The emergency regulation issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today protects those fighting this virus on the front lines while also delivering assurances to individuals and their families that... Read More

State Waiver on Healthcare Professionals Lapsed License-Ability to Work; Federal 3-Day Stay Waiver

July 30, 2021 — STATE Waiver on healthcare professionals lapsed license-ability to work The waiver that allowed medical professionals who had held a Delaware license within the last five years, in good standing – but whose license went inactive, expired or lapsed is still in effect according to Corinna Getchell. The “Joint Order Of The Department Of Health And... Read More

AHCA/NCAL Issues Policy Statement on Vaccination of Long-Term Care Personnel

July 29, 2021 — On July 29, AHCA/NCAL issued the following statement on COVID-19 vaccinations of long-term care personnel: AHCA/NCAL Issues Policy Statement Regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations of Long-Term Care Personnel The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and other long term care facilities across the country, released the... Read More

Despite End of State of Emergency, DHSS Guidance for Visitation at Delaware’s Long-Term Care Facilities Will Continue

July 14, 2021 — NEW CASTLE (July 12, 2021) – With the end of the State of Emergency in Delaware on Tuesday, July 13, the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is affirming that Delaware’s 86 long-term care facilities (LTCs) will continue to follow the state’s existing visitation and testing guidance in order to keep residents healthy and... Read More

Delaware Health Care Facilities Association Honors Residents and Staff During National Skilled Nursing Care Week® May 9 to 15

May 13, 2021 — Delaware Health Care Facilities Association (DHCFA) is recognizing National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW), May 9 to 15. This year’s national observance, “Together Through the Seasons,” celebrates the collaborative commitment of skilled nursing care facilities and their staff in providing compassionate care to their residents during this unprecedented time.  Created by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 1967, NSNCW,... Read More

Vaccine Prompts CDC Update of LTC Guidance for Visitors and Dining

April 28, 2021 — The Center for Disease Control has updated its guidance for LTC providers on masking, visitation, and dining that hinges on individuals’ vaccination status. These updates include: When both resident/patient and all visitors are fully vaccinated, they can have close contact and go maskless if along in the resident’s room or designed visiting room. All visitors... Read More

Gov. Carney Issues New COVID-19 Restrictions, Go In Effect Dec. 14-Jan. 11

December 11, 2020 — As new cases and hospitalizations grow, Governor Carney issued new COVID-19 restrictions to help mitigate the winter surge. The restrictions, that go into effect December 14 through January 11, include:  Businesses above 100,000 square feet are limited to 20 percent of stated fire capacity. All other businesses, including most retail stores and all restaurants, are... Read More

Medical Society of Delaware Telemedicine Guidance

October 12, 2020 — The Medical Society of Delaware has released guidance for telemedicine services in the state. This covers Department of Insurance guidance and guidance from insurers Aetna, AmeriHealth Caristas, Cigna, CMS Medicare, DMMA Medicaid, Highmark BCBS, and United Healthcare. Also included are the Delaware Telehealth Coalition and ERISA Plans. The guidance is available here.

CMS Issues Opportunity for Long-term Care Providers to US CMP for Visitation Requipment

September 23, 2020 — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is allowing long-term care providers to use Federal Civil Money Penalties (CMP) to purchase equipment to facilitate safe in-person visitation spaces to help fill residents’ psychosocial needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilities may apply for and use up to $3,000 in CMP dollars to purchase tents for outdoor... Read More