COVID-19 Information

Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders relating to COVID-19 & possibly affecting long term care

• EO-325 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order to Lift COVID-19 Testing Requirements in Congregate Care and Health Care Settings
• EO 294 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Clarifying COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Workers in Health Care and Congregate Settings
• EO 292 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Lifting COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• EO 290 – Executive Order No. 290 updates and clarifies timeframes for requiring covered workers at health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including having received a booster shot.
• EO 288 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Extending Public Health Emergency in New Jersey
• EO 283 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Strengthening COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Workers in Health Care and Congregate Settings and Requiring COVID-19 Booster Doses
• EO 281 – Governor Murphy continues Executive Orders Nos. 111, 112, and 207, allows Executive Orders Nos. 251, 252, 253, 264, and 271 to remain in effect, and extends various regulatory actions taken by the departments in response to COVID-19
• EO 280 – Governor Murphy Declares that a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of New Jersey and that the State of Emergency declared in Executive Order No. 103 (2020) remains in full force and effect
• EO 271 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Instituting Vaccination or Testing Requirement for State Contracted Employees
• EO 253 – Instituting Vaccination or Testing Requirement for All Preschool to Grade 12 Personnel and for All State Workers
• EO 252 – Directs Vaccination or Testing Requirement for Workers in Health Care Facilities and High-Risk Congregate Settings
• EO 244 – Governor Murphy Signs Legislation and Executive Order Ending COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• EO 242 – Governor Murphy Lifts Major COVID-19 Restrictions, Moves Forward with Most Significant Reopening Steps to Date
• EO 241 – Governor Eliminates Mask Requirement in Outdoor Public Spaces
• EO 239 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Implementing Second Phase of COVID-19 Restriction Easing
• EO 230 – Governor Murphy Announces Increased Capacity Limits for Indoor Businesses and Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings
• EO 219 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Raising Indoor Capacity Limits from 25 Percent to 35 Percent for Certain Businesses
• EO 196 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Lowering Limits on Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings
• EO 194 – Governor Murphy Announces New COVID-19 Mitigation Measures
• EO 192 –  Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order to Protect New Jersey’s Workforce During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• EO 173 – Governor Murphy Announces Decreased Indoor Gathering Capacity Limit
• EO 163 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Requiring Individuals to Wear Masks in Outdoor Public Spaces When They Cannot Social Distance
• EO 152 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Lifting Limits on Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings
• EO 113 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Authorizing Commandeering of Property Such as Medical Supplies
• EO 112 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order to Remove Barriers to Health Care Professionals Joining New Jersey’s COVID-19 Response and Provide Protections for Front Line Health Care Responders
• EO 111 – Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Directing Health Care Facilities to Report Data, Including PPE Inventory and Bed Capacity, On a Daily Basis
• EO 107 – Governor Murphy directs all residents to stay at home until further notice

Department of Health Waivers, Executive Directives, Standing Orders & Memos relating to COVID-19

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE

• The Emotional PPE Project – The Emotional PPE Project connects healthcare workers in need with licensed mental health professionals who can help. No cost. No insurance. Just a trained professional to talk to.
  • Template letter to healthcare workers
  • Poster

• AHCA/NCAL – Complying with Infection Control Regulations
• AHCA/NCAL Email Updates (Time-sensitive updates, e.g., webinars, calls, etc., may not be listed)
  

  May 26, 2020 – CARES Act Attestation Extension, AL Reporting Guidance, NHSN Update & FAQ, CDC Webinar on Hurricane Season, Senate Aging Hearing

  • HHS Releases $4.9 Billion to Skilled Nursing Centers

  May 19, 2020 – Reimbursement and Legal Issues Related to COVID-19 Testing

  • Member Email Update #70

  May 20, 2020 – CHOW FAQs, OSHA Revised Policies, ACO FAQs

  • Member Email Update #68

  May 18, 2020 – CMS Issues Reopening Guidance, IPCO Version 2, OSHA Alert, Updated Provider Relief Fund FAQs, Economic Impact Payments for Residents, House Passes HEROES Act

  • Member Email Update #67

  May 15, 2020 – NHSN Trainings, Reporting to NHSN Accurately CMS Toolkit for Nursing Homes, QIN-QIOs Targeting Assistance, New Blanket Waivers, Documentation Guidance for Reimbursement Waivers

  May 7, 2020 – Summary of CMS Reporting Requirements and Attestation Period Extended for CARES Act Provider Relief Funds

  • Member Email Update #62

  May 6, 2020 – CMS Releases Memo on Interim Final Rule Updating Requirements for Reporting and Notification of Confirmed and Suspected COVID-19 Cases Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes

  • Member Email Update #61

  May 6, 2020 – Retrospective Reporting to Jan. 1 Optional in NHSN; DHHS Clarifies CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Questions

   

  • Member Email Update #58

  May 2, 2020 – New Reporting Requirements Effective May 1, More NHSN Resources, and App for PPE Burn Rate Calculator

  • Member Email Update #57

  May 1, 2020 – Updated CMS Blanket Waivers and CMS Delays Implementation of New MDS Items for 2 Years

  • Member Email Update #56

  April 30, 2020 – CMS Issues Interim Final Rule with New Requirements for COVID-19 Reporting for Nursing Homes

  • Member Email Update #55

  April 30, 2020 – Getting Started with NHSN Reporting on COVID-19 and Webinar from John A. Hartford Foundation

  • Member Email Update #54

  April 29, 2020 – CDC Webinars for LTCF COVID-19 Module, Priority Testing Updates, Ombudsman Program, Frontline Staff Trainings, CDC Updates COVID-19 Symptoms

  • Member Email Update #53

  April 28, 2020 – Document Your Calls for Help & FEMA to Ship PPE to Nursing Homes

  • Member Email Update #52

  April 27, 2020 – Grant & Loan Management Resource Guide; COVID-19 Related Loss and Cost Calculator; Updated FAQs on Accelerated and Advance Payments

  • Member Email Update #51

  April 25, 2020 – CMS Updates to Nursing Home Compare, Five Star, Staffing Data and FAQs; Continue Visitor Restrictions, and Updated Medicare Billing FAQs

  • Member Email Update #50

  April 24, 2020 – Additional $20 Billion to be Distributed to Medicare Providers Today

  • Member Email Update #49

  April 23, 2020 – Congress Passes the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act

  • Member Email Update #48

  April 23, 2020 – Preparing for Widespread Testing

  • Member Email Update #47

  April 22, 2020 – Distributing Provider Relief Funds, ICF/IID waivers, National Healthcare Safety Network reporting, and ASPR Webinar

  • Member Email Update #46

  April 21, 2020 – More on CDC Return to Work Guidance, Updated Steps to Limit Spread and Outbreaks, Help Staff to Embrace Social Distancing, and Happy Careers in Aging Week!

  • Member Email Update #45

  April 21, 2020 – CMS Memo on Reporting Requirements, Communications Strategies, and Flowcharts on Skilled SNF Coverage Decisions

  • Member Email Update #44

  April 19, 2020 – New CMS Requirements for Reporting Confirmed Cases and Guidance for Nebulizing Treatments

  • Member Email Update #42

  April 16, 2020 – Where to Turn for Help, Provider Relief Fund Update, Survey Suspension Continues, Administrator Exams, CMS Call Tomorrow

  • Member Email Update #40

  April 14, 2020 – When Residents Try to Leave, FAQs on Provider Relief Fund and Medicaid, Disposable Face Shields and Marriott’s Special Rate for Caregivers

  • Member Email Update #36

  April 10, 2020 – HHS releases $30 billion of COVID-19 health care fund

  • Member Email Update #34

  April 8, 2020 – OSHA, PBJ, CMS Calls, Payroll Protection Program, HUD

  • Member Email Update #28

  April 1, 2020 – CMS Call Later Today and FAQs on Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments

  • Member Email Update #27

  March 31, 2020 – Temporary Nurse Aide Training & Competency Checklist; Revised Screening Checklist; ICF/IIDs and PRTFs Guidance; A New Video from Mark

  • Member Email Update #26

  March 30, 2020 – CMS Issues Blanket Regulatory Waivers

  • Member Email Update #23

  March 28, 2020 – Medicare Accelerated and Advanced Payments, Telehealth Toolkit

  • Member Email Update #22

  March 27, 2020 – Third Stimulus Package Becomes Law, VA Update, and Issues with Postal Carriers

  • Member Email Update #21

  March 26, 2020 – Senate Passes Stimulus, New Video Series from Mark Parkinson, What To Do if COVID Gets Into Your Facility, and more

  • Member Email Update #18

  March 23, 2020 – CMS Announces Prioritization of SNF Surveys

  • Member Email Update #17

  March 23, 2020 – Calls for Supplies, Preparing for Increased FMAP Funds, End-of-Life Wishes, SNF Relief on QRP and VBP

  • Member Email Update #13

  March 19, 2020 – Relief Package Signed by the President

  • Member Email Update #7

  March 12, 2020 – CMS Releases COVID-19 Medicare FFS and Medicare Advantage Plan Guidance

  • Member Email Update #3

  March 4, 2020 – CMS Issues Three New Quality, Safety and Oversight Memos about COVID-19

   

  Member Email Update #71Member Email Update #63

• CMS Approves New Jersey 1135 Waiver for Provider Relief from certain Medicaid Provisions
• This link contains COVID-19 information released by CMS including:
  • Coronavirus 1812(f) Waiver
  • General Info & Updates
  • Press Releases
  • Clinical and Technical Guidance
  • Billing and Coding Guidance
  • Survey and Certification Guidance
  • Coverage Guidance
  • Medicaid and CHIP Guidance
  • Consumer Information

• Refer to these two web sites and accompanying document regarding three-day hospitalization stay requirements:
  • https://www.cms.gov/files/document/coronavirus-snf-1812f-waiver.pdf
  • https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid19-emergency-declaration-health-care-providers-fact-sheet.pdf
  • https://www.hcanj.org/wp-content/themes/hcanj/emails/Medicare3day.pdf
• See this section for guidance on visitor restrictions, communal activities, and communal dining.  Please remember these are guidelines and are not regulatory. Refer to CDC guidelines regarding social distancing:
  • Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes-REVISED (PDF) (3/13/20)
• See this web site for FAQs on current  State Survey Agency licensing processes during COVID-19 Outbreak
  • Frequently Asked Questions for State Survey Agency and Accrediting Organization Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF) (3/10/2020)
• See this web site to see what State Survey inspections are suspended and what investigations will continue during the COVID-19 Outbreak
  • Suspension of Survey Activities (3/4/20)
• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for State Medicaid Agencies
  • https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/downloads/covid-19-faqs.pdf
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Partner Toolkit
  • https://www.cms.gov/outreach-education/partner-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-partner-toolkit

• NJDOH COVID-19 Website
• NJDOH COVID-19 Dashboard
• COVID-19 Temporary Operational Waivers and Guidelines
• NJDOH Public Hotline – 1-800-222-1222
• PPE Update – March 18, 2020
• State of NJ COVID-19 Jobs and Hiring Portal

• CDC COVID-19 Website
• CDC Travel Notices
• Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings
• Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
• Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators
• Hand Hygiene in the Healthcare Setting
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Preparedness Checklist for Nursing Homes and other Long Term Care Settings
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Burn Rate Calculator

• WHO COVID-19 Website