News

State Brings Rapid Antigen Testing to Providers Working in IDD/DD Facilities

January 22, 2021
— January 21, 2021 – The Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) in partnership with the Division of Public Health (DPH) is bringing a rapid COVID-19 testing program to group homes, day programs and other provider-managed settings in Delaware that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Beginning this month, Delaware provider agencies serving individuals with... 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

Gov. Carney Announces Stay-at-Home Advisory, Indoor Mask Mandate to Combat COVID-19 Surge

December 4, 2020
— Due to the rising cases of COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations, on Thursday, December 3, Delaware Governor John Carney issued a new Stay-at-Home advisory from December 14 to January 11, asking individuals to avoid gathering with anyone outside the immediate household.  This does not include workplace gatherings or traveling to and from the workplace.  The governor... Read More

AHCA/NCAL Praises CDC Panel Decision To Include LTC Residents, Staff In Initial COVID-19 Vaccine Round

December 4, 2020
— From Provider Magazine: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has decided to include long-term care residents and staff in the first round of COVID-19 vaccine distribution.  “On behalf of our long-term care industry, we applaud the ACIP for prioritizing our residents and caregivers for... Read More

JAMA Study: Private Equity-owned SNFs Had Less PPE

November 5, 2020
— Researchers at the Weill Cornell medical College in New York found that nursing homes owned by private equity firms had lower PPE supply levels than for-profit, nonprofit, and government-owned facilities in a study of 11,470 SNFs. The reason for this was unclear, but the researchers speculate that cost-cutting strategies may have caused the shortage. The... Read More

DPH Updates LTC Testing Guidance

October 16, 2020
— The Delaware Division of Public Health released updated Testing Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities on October 12. The guidance includes an update definition of “facility Staff” to include employees, consultants, contractors, volunteers, and caregivers who provide care and services to residents, and students in a nurse aide training programs or from affiliated institutions. Download the... 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

LTC Facilities May Reopen Visitation With Approved Plans

September 8, 2020
— The Delaware Division of Public Health and the Division of Health Care Quality announced that its COVID-19 Reopening Plan for Long Term Care Facilities will allow visitations to resume based on each provider’s status, as determined by three stages. Providers must submit written plans, and receive approval of the plans, from DHCQ for visitations to... Read More
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