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MassHealth COVID-19 Guidance for Other Long-Term-Supports Services Providers

This page provides MassHealth Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidance and information specific to certain long-term-supports (LTSS) providers.

During the COVID-19 emergency, LTSS providers play an important role in serving some of MassHealth’s most vulnerable members. The following guidance is in addition to the MassHealth Guidance for Nursing Facilities, MassHealth Guidance for Home Health Agencies and Personal Care Attendants, and MassHealth Guidance for Day Programs.

For MassHealth COVID-19 guidance and information covering all MassHealth providers, please see MassHealth COVID-19 Guidance for All Providers. You may also find it helpful to review DPH’s COVID-19 guidance for health care professionals.

Table of Contents

Adult Foster Care

  • Adult Foster Care Bulletin 31: Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for Group Adult Foster Care Providers rescinds the COVID-19 vaccination requirements of previous GAFC communications effective September 12, 2023. PDF | Word
  • Adult Foster Care Bulletin 29: COVID 19 Flexibilities and Telehealth Guidance after the End of the Federal Public Health Emergency communicates provider requirements that were suspended during the Federal Public Health Emergency (FPHE) and that will be enforced after the FPHE ends. This bulletin also communicates changes in requirements implemented during the FPHE that will continue past the end of the FPHE. PDF | Word
  • Adult Foster Care Bulletin 21: Extended MassHealth Telehealth Policy for Adult Foster Care and Group Adult Foster Care Services and New Telehealth Documentation Requirement describes a COVID-19-related telehealth flexibility for MassHealth adult foster care/group adult foster care services that will remain in effect beyond September 13, 2021, until the end of the FPHE; clarifies that telehealth visits may be used for visits that do not require any hands-on care; and describes a new recordkeeping and documentation requirement regarding telehealth services. PDF | Word
  • Adult Foster Care Bulletin 19: COVID-19-related Administrative Flexibilities for Adult Foster Care and Group Adult Foster Care Providers updates MassHealth’s COVID-19 related flexibilities for providers of MassHealth-covered adult foster care and group adult foster care services, with the goal of helping to ensure that members retain access to appropriate adult foster care/group adult foster care services, promote social distancing, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. PDF | Word

Durable Medical Equipment Bulletins

  • Durable Medical Equipment Bulletin 32: COVID-19 Flexibilities after the End of the Federal Public Health Emergency communicates DME provider requirements that were suspended during the FPHE and that will be enforced after the FPHE ends. This bulletin also communicates changes in requirements implemented during the FPHE that will continue past the end of the FPHE and confirms an update to the types of non-physician practitioners that may prescribe DME. PDF | Word
  • Durable Medical Equipment Bulletin 32: COVID-19 Flexibilities after the End of the Federal Public Health Emergency communicates DME provider requirements that were suspended during the FPHE and that will be enforced after the FPHE ends. This bulletin also communicates changes in requirements implemented during the FPHE that will continue past the end of the FPHE and confirms an update to the types of non-physician practitioners that may prescribe DME. 
  • Durable Medical Equipment Bulletin 26​: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Durable Medical Equipment Providers - Extension extends COVID-19 related flexibilities for providers of MassHealth-covered durable medical equipment. Some of the flexibilities described in the bulletin will extend until the end of the federal public health emergency, while others do not have an end date. ​​PDF | Word

HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletins

  • HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 22: Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for Certain Home Health Workers supersedes and replaces HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletins 14, 17, and 18. Effective September 12, 2023, Non-Agency (self-employed) HCBS Waiver providers no longer need to complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Attestation Form.  PDF | Word
  • HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 18: Deadline for Vaccine Requirement for Home Care Workers Extended to March 21, 2022 announced that the deadline for compliance with the vaccination requirements outlined in HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 14 was extended to March 21, 2022, for HCAW, including those providing ABI/MFP Waiver services. PDF | Word
  • HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 17: Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Home Care Agency Workers communicates updates to the HCAW vaccine requirement previously issued through HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 14 to also include a COVID-19 additional dose/booster vaccination requirement. All requirements in HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 14 remain in effect. PDF | Word
  • HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 14: Expanded Vaccine Requirement to Include Home Care Agency Workers states that all Home Care Agency Workers, as defined within the bulletin, must complete the full required regimen of COVID-19 vaccine doses, or document that they qualify for an exemption by October 31, 2021. This bulletin is in accordance with the Baker-Polito Administration’s September 1st vaccine requirement. PDF | Word
  • HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 13 Additional Guidance and Requirements for Day Services throughout the Remainder of the Federal Public Health Emergency and Billing Guidance for Community-Based Day Supports replaces and supersedes guidance and requirements for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Moving Forward Plan (MFP) Waiver Providers with day services set in place by HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 9. The guidance and requirements within this bulletin are in addition to EOHHS guidance. PDF | Word
  • HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 10: Updated Guidance for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Providers Delivering Telehealth/Remote Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency consolidates and restates MassHealth’s current telehealth policy for HCBS Waiver services which will extend six months after the end of the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19, consistent with Appendix K. PDF | Word
  • HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 6: Updated Guidance for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Providers Delivering Telehealth/Remote Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency This bulletin is a restatement of HCBS Waiver Provider Bulletin 4 with the following addition: “Requirements for a written member signature may be waived so long as the provider receives a verbal attestation from the member in lieu of a written signature; documents the date and time of the verbal attestation; and includes the note ‘COVID-19’ on required documents for record-keeping purposes.” PDF | Word

Hospice Bulletins

  • Hospice Bulletin 29: COVID-19 Flexibilities after the End of the Public Health Emergency - Amended supersedes and replaces Hospice Bulletin 27 with updated guidance for hospice providers after the end of the federal public health emergency. PDF | Word
  • Hospice Bulletin 27: COVID-19 Flexibilities after the End of the Public Health Emergency communicates provider requirements that were suspended during the Federal Public Health Emergency (FPHE) and that will be enforced after the FPHE ends. This bulletin also communicates changes in requirements implemented during the FPHE that will continue past the end of the FPHE. PDF | Word
  • Hospice Bulletin 23: Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Hospice Programs communicates updates to the vaccine requirement previously issued through Hospice Bulletin 22 to also include a COVID-19 booster vaccination requirement. All requirements in Hospice Bulletin 22 remain in effect. PDF | Word
  • Hospice Bulletin 22: Expanded Vaccine Requirement to Include Hospice Programs describes the extended vaccine requirement exemptions and the implementation of this requirement. PDF | Word
  • Hospice Bulletin 19: MassHealth Telehealth Policy for Hospice Services - Extension explains MassHealth’s policy for the use of telehealth for certain hospice services and extends the policy until 90 days after the final date of the Governor’s Declaration of a State of Emergency​. PDF | Word
  • Hospice Bulletin 18: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Hospice Providers - Extension extends COVID-19 flexibilities for hospice services providers and extends these flexibilities until the end of the federal public health emergency. PDF | Word
  • Hospice Bulletin 17: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Hospice Providers provides updates to MassHealth’s COVID-19 related flexibilities for providers of MassHealth covered hospice services, with the goal of helping to ensure that members retain access to appropriate hospice services, promote social distancing, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. PDF | Word

Independent Nurses Bulletins

  • Independent Nurse Bulletin 15: Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for Independent Nurses Delivering Continuous Skilled Nursing Services rescinds the COVID-19 vaccination requirements of Independent Nurse Bulletins Bulletins 5, 7, and 9 effective September 12, 2023. PDF | Word
  • Independent Nurse Bulletin 13: COVID-19 Flexibilities after the End of the Public Health Emergency - Amended replaces and supersedes IN Bulletin 11 by clarifying the providers qualified to order services and establish a plan of care. PDF | Word
  • Independent Nurse Bulletin 11: COVID-19 Flexibilities after the End of the Public Health Emergency communicates provider requirements that were suspended during the Federal Public Health Emergency (FPHE) and that will be enforced after the FPHE ends. This bulletin also communicates changes in requirements implemented during the FPHE that will continue past the end of the FPHE. PDF | Word
  • Independent Nurse Bulletin 9: Deadline for Vaccine Requirement for Home Care Workers under a State Contract Extended to March 21, 2022, announces that the deadline for compliance with the vaccination requirements outlined in Independent Nurse Bulletin 5 was extended to March 21, 2022, for home care workers under a state contract. PDF | Word
  • Independent Nurse Bulletin 7: Vaccine Requirement for Home Care Workers under a State Contract communicates updates to the vaccine requirement previously issued through Independent Nurse Bulletin 5 to also include a COVID-19 booster vaccination requirement. All requirements in Independent Nurse Bulletin 5 remain in effect. PDF | Word
  • Independent Nurse Bulletin 5: Expanded Vaccine Requirement to Include Home Care Workers under a State Contract describes the extended vaccine requirement, that includes Independent Nurses under State Contract, including exemptions and the implementation of this requirement. PDF | Word
  • Independent Nurse Bulletin 4: Extended COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Independent Nurses Including Telehealth and New Telehealth Documentation Requirement describes COVID-19 related flexibilities, including telehealth requirements and guidance, for MassHealth independent nurses that will remain in effect until the end of the FPHE. PDF | Word
  • Independent Nurses Bulletin 2: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Independent Nurses including Telehealth - Extension extends COVID-19 related flexibilities for independent nurses providing continuous skilled nursing (CSN) services, including telehealth. Some of the flexibilities described in the bulletin will extend until the end of the federal public health emergency, while others will extend until 90 days after the final date of the Governor’s Declaration of a State of Emergency. PDF | Word
  • Independent Nurses Bulletin 1: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Independent Nurses including Telehealth​ provides updates to MassHealth’s COVID-19 related flexibilities for MassHealth Independent nurses providing Continuous Skilled Nursing (CSN) services, including telehealth, and with the goal of helping to ensure that members retain access to appropriate CSN services, promote social distancing, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. PDF | Word

Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Equipment Bulletins

  • Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Equipment Bulletin 26: COVID-19 Flexibilities after the End of the Federal Public Health Emergency communicates requirements for Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy providers that were suspended during the FPHE and that will be enforced after the FPHE ends. This bulletin also communicates changes in requirements implemented during the FPHE that will continue past the end of the FPHE. PDF | Word
  • Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Equipment Bulletin 20: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Equipment Providers - Extension extends COVID-19 related flexibilities for providers of MassHealth-covered oxygen and respiratory therapy equipment. Some of the flexibilities described in the bulletin will extend until the end of the federal public health emergency, while others do not have an end date. PDF | Word
  • Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Equipment Bulletin 19: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Equipment Providers provides updates to MassHealth’s COVID-19 related flexibilities for providers of MassHealth-covered oxygen and respiratory therapy equipment to help ensure that members retain access to appropriate oxygen and respiratory therapy equipment, promote social distancing, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. PDF | Word

Rehabilitation Center Bulletins

  • Rehabilitation Center Bulletin 16: COVID 19 Flexibilities after the End of the Federal Public Health Emergency communicates provider requirements that were suspended during the FPHE and that will be enforced after the FPHE ends. This bulletin also communicates changes in requirements implemented during the FPHE that will continue past the end of the FPHE and provides an update to telehealth policies for Rehabilitation Center providers of therapy services. PDF | Word
  • Rehabilitation Center Bulletin 14: Extended COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Therapy Services Including Telehealth and New Telehealth Documentation Requirement describes COVID-19 related flexibilities for MassHealth Rehabilitation Center services (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy) that will remain in effect beyond September 13, 2021, until the end of the FPHE; clarifies that telehealth visits may be used for follow-up visits that do not require any hands-on care; and describes a new recordkeeping and documentation requirement regarding telehealth services. PDF | Word
  • Rehabilitation Center Bulletin 13: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Therapy Services Including Telehealth - Extension extends COVID-19 related flexibilities for MassHealth therapist services, including telehealth. Some of the flexibilities described in the bulletin will extend until the end of the federal public health emergency, while others will extend until 90 days after the final date of the Governor’s Declaration of a State of Emergency​.  PDF | Word

Speech and Hearing Center Bulletins

  • Speech and Hearing Center Bulletin 16: COVID 19 Flexibilities after the End of the Federal Public Health Emergency communicates provider requirements that were suspended during the FPHE and that will be enforced after the FPHE ends. This bulletin also communicates changes in requirements implemented during the FPHE that will continue past the end of the FPHE and provides an update to telehealth policies for Speech and Hearing providers of therapy services. PDF | Word
  • Speech and Hearing Center Bulletin 14: Extended COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Therapy Services Including Telehealth and New Telehealth Documentation Requirement describes COVID-19 related flexibilities for MassHealth speech and language therapist services that will remain in effect beyond September 13, 2021, until the end of the FPHE; clarifies that telehealth visits may be used for follow-up visits that do not require any hands-on care; and describes a new recordkeeping and documentation requirement regarding telehealth services. PDF | Word
  • Speech and Hearing Center Bulletin 13: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Therapy Services Including Telehealth - Extension extends COVID-19 related flexibilities for MassHealth therapist services, including telehealth. Some of the flexibilities described in the bulletin will extend until the end of the federal public health emergency, while others will extend until 90 days after the final date of the Governor’s Declaration of a State of Emergency​. PDF | Word

Therapist Bulletins

  • Therapist Bulletin 18: COVID 19 Flexibilities after the End of the Federal Public Health Emergency communicates provider requirements that were suspended during the FPHE and that will be enforced after the FPHE ends. This bulletin also communicates changes in requirements implemented during the FPHE that will continue past the end of the FPHE and provides an update to telehealth policies for providers of therapy services. PDF | Word
  • Therapist Bulletin 17: Extended COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Therapy Services Including Telehealth and New Telehealth Documentation Requirement describes COVID-19 related flexibilities for MassHealth therapist services that will remain in effect beyond September 13, 2021, until the end of the FPHE; clarifies that telehealth visits may be used for follow-up visits that do not require any hands-on care; and describes a new recordkeeping and documentation requirement regarding telehealth services. PDF | Word
  • Therapist Bulletin 16: COVID-19 Related Administrative Flexibilities for Therapy Services Including Telehealth - Extension extends COVID-19 related flexibilities for MassHealth therapist services, including telehealth. Some of the flexibilities described in the bulletin will extend until the end of the federal public health emergency, while others will extend until 90 days after the final date of the Governor’s Declaration of a State of Emergency​. PDF | Word

Resources

  • EOHHS Support Package for Step-Down Care in Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals, Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Nursing Facilities ​​PDF | Word
  • 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Integrated Care Programs: One Care, Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and Senior Care Options (SCO) PDF | Word
  • Guidance for in-home caregivers
    • Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Emergency Paid Sick Leave:
      This notice provides information for Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) about using emergency paid sick leave under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
      English  PDF | Word  Spanish PDF |Word
Last updated: July 11, 2023

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