Notice of Public Hearing – CSN and IN Program Regulations - April 26th, 2024
April 26th, 2024
Dear CCM members and families,
The proposed amendments to 130 CMR 438.000 clarify and reorganize sections of the regulation and add requirements for Continuous Skilled Nursing Agency providers, including recordkeeping, incident and accident reports, clinical criteria for nursing services, limitations on covered services, biweekly supervision requirements for complex care assistant services, Face-to-Face encounters, a CSN high-tech rate add on, and annual staffing report requirements.
The regulation amendments are being proposed with an effective date of August 30th, 2024.
There will be a virtual public hearing on May 17th, 2024:
- 130 CMR 438.000 from 12pm – 2pm
- 130 CMR 414.000 from 2pm – 4pm
A copy of the Notice of Public Hearing and links to register to testify at the public hearing can be found here:
- 130 CMR 438.000 Notice of Public Hearing
- 130 CMR 414.000 Notice of Public Hearing
A copy of the proposed amendments and regulations can be found here:
If you have any questions, please reach out to your CCM Clinical Manager.
Best,
Annie Kazarnovsky
Program Manager of Continuous Skilled Nursing Services
MassHealth Office of Long Term Services and Supports
CCM Natural Caregiver Relief Funds – Deadline to Receive Funds - April 23rd, 2024
April 23rd, 2024
Sending on Behalf of MassHealth
Dear CCM Members and Families,
Sharing important information regarding CCM Relief Funds.
In November 2022, MassHealth began issuing Relief Funds to CCM Natural Caregivers. These relief payments were funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). MassHealth has worked with UHealthSolutions to issue four rounds of relief funds, mailing letters to eligible members and families at the beginning of each round. The dates and eligibility for each round were:
- Round One: Issued November 29, 2022 for members enrolled in CCM in September 2022
- Round Two: Issued June 20, 2023 for members enrolled in CCM in April 2023
- Round Three: Issued October 17, 2023 for members enrolled in CCM in August 2023
- Round Four: Issued February 13, 2024 for members enrolled in CCM in December 2023
MassHealth will not be issuing any further rounds of relief funds. The fourth round of relief funds, issued on February 13th of this year, was the final round of relief funds.
If you or your family were eligible for any of the four rounds of relief funds, but you did not collect a relief payment, you are still eligible. Members and families may submit an attestation form by June 1st, 2024, to receive relief funds for any rounds for which they are eligible. Please submit your completed form through the mail or via the online secure link by June 1st, 2024. Members and families who do not submit a form by June 1st, 2024, will not be able to receive any outstanding relief funds.
If you have questions about the CCM Relief Funds and whether you are eligible for any previous rounds of relief funds, please contact your CCM Clinical Manager at (800) 863-6068 or email at CommCase@umassmed.edu. UHealthSolutions and CCM will also be conducting outreach to families who have not received relief funds for any previous rounds.
Annie Kazarnovsky
Program Manager of CSN Services
MassHealth Office of Long Term Services and Supports
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
One Ashburton Pl. 5th floor
Boston, MA 02108
Email: anne.kazarnovsky@mass.gov
CCM Member and Family Quarterly Call – April and May 2024
April 8th, 2024
Dear CCM Members and CCM Families,
You are receiving this email as a Community Case Management (CCM) Member or as a Family Member of a CCM Member who is receiving Continuous Skilled Nursing (CSN) services through MassHealth.
MassHealth will be hosting a Quarterly Call with CCM Members and CCM Families to discuss updates on all CSN service delivery enhancements and to give CCM Members and CCM families the chance to provide feedback regarding CSN Services.
The call will be offered on two days: Tuesday, April 23rd, from 10am – 11:30am and Thursday, May 2nd, from 5pm – 6:30pm. Please join whichever call time works best for you, but you are welcome to join both.
Agenda:
Tuesday, April 23rd
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
- Updates on all CSN Service Delivery Enhancements
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- MassHealth would like to spend the rest of the call hearing feedback from CCM members and families.
Thursday, May 2nd
5:00 – 5:30 p.m.
- Updates on all CSN Service Delivery Enhancements
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- MassHealth would like to spend the rest of the call hearing feedback from CCM members and families.
These calls will take place on Zoom and will have Spanish interpreter services. Please use the information in the original email to participate in the calls.
We look forward to having you join us!
Sincerely,
Annie Kazarnovsky
Program Manager of CSN Services
MassHealth Office of Long Term Services and Supports
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Families/Members Invited to Volunteer for CCM Nurse Directory User Testing-Please respond, 3/20/2024
Hello MassHealth Community Case Management (CCM) member or family member,
We’d love to hear your feedback on our updated CCM Nurse Directory so that we can work to make it better.
We are holding voluntary user testing April 3 through April 9. During user testing, interested families will be able to access a test site that includes updates and improvements to the directory.
We are asking families to test these enhancements and let us know how well they work.
If you’d like to participate, please email Christina.Andrianopoulos@mass.gov. Please put “Nurse Directory User Testing” in the subject line of the email.
We will send you instructions the week before the testing that include a link to the test site. We’ll also send you questions to answer about the directory. Your answers will help us collect your valuable feedback.
If you plan to participate, please let us know by March 27, 2024.
Important note: The directory will be fully functional during the testing phase.
Thank you for helping us improve the CCM Nurse Directory.
Sincerely,
MassHealth Community Case Management Team
Enroll in the MassHealth CCM Nurse Directory Now! March 7, 2024
Date: March 7, 2024
RE: Enroll in the MassHealth CCM Nurse Directory Now!
Hello CCM Member and Family
We want to update you about the CCM Nurse Directory, which began in April 2023. Many members and families, as well as independent nurses and agencies, have found it to be very helpful and we hope you will consider enrolling so you can benefit from it too!
The CCM Nurse Directory connects members and families with CSN nurses in their area. CCM members and their families may search for independent nurses and agency nurses based on location and the nurse’s skills.
If you haven't yet enrolled, we encourage you to sign up and create a profile in the directory. Even if you don't need a nurse right now, having your profile there is useful! You can easily log in to see details and skills of nurses in our network and when they are available, at any time.
To sign up, click Nurse Directory Enrollment Link. You can also ask your Clinical Manager or someone at CCM to help you sign up. If you have any questions or need help with the directory, please contact your Clinical Manager.
Thanks for considering this great opportunity!
Sincerely,
MassHealth OLTSS Team
Reminder: MassHealth DME Office Hours and End of CCA Office Hours - March 4th, 2024
March 4th, 2024
Dear Community Case Management (CCM) Members and Families:
The MassHealth Durable Medical Equipment (DME) team has learned that some members are having difficulty getting DME and supplies, oxygen and respiratory equipment and supplies, and orthotics/prosthetics. To help resolve these issues, the DME team hosts online and phone-in office hours every Tuesday from 4:30pm to 5:00pm. During this time, MassHealth will listen to your feedback and concerns and try to find solutions.
Important: If you need help with a problem, remember to first reach out to your CCM clinical manager. The CCM clinical manager will work with the appropriate CCM specialist (Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, Respiratory Therapist) and contact MassHealth if necessary.
Here are the details on how to connect for DME office hours.
- DME Office Hours:
Every Tuesday from 4:30pm – 5:00pm
You can also email the MassHealth DME team at dmeposprogram@mass.gov at any time with DME issues or questions.
Please note: MassHealth no longer hosts office hours for complex care assistant (CCA) services due to limited participation. Members and families who have questions about CCA services should reach out to their CCM clinical manager. If there are additional concerns, members and families may email Annie Kazarnovsky at anne.kazarnovsky@mass.gov.
We’ll send an email reminder of these office hours to CCM members and families every Monday.
Thank you,
Annie Kazarnovsky
Program Manager of CSN Services
MassHealth Office of Long Term Services and Supports
Updated Eligibility for CSN Loan Repayment – Please Share with Your Nurses - February 28th, 2024
February 28th, 2024
Dear CCM Family,
The MA-Repay: Continuous Skilled Nursing (CSN) Student Loan Repayment Program has recently updated its eligibility requirements. Nurses providing continuous skilled nursing (CSN) services to MassHealth members may now be eligible to receive money to pay off their student loans if they graduated from an accredited nursing program after January 1, 2018. Additionally, nurses who are currently enrolled in a nursing program with a graduation date of July 1, 2024, or sooner, may also apply. MassHealth has also added a third-tier award option for nurses who agree to provide at least 12 hours of CSN services per week for 45 weeks per year. Please see the FAQ link below for more details.
MassHealth is now accepting applications on a rolling basis until April 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., or until all funds are committed, whichever comes first. Awards will be made on a rolling basis. Nurses are strongly encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.
Eligible nurses must commit to providing CSN services to MassHealth members as a MassHealth- contracted independent nurse (IN) or at an eligible MassHealth-enrolled CSN agency or MassHealth-enrolled home health agency providing CSN services.
In exchange for a two- or three-year full-time* service commitment, the program will provide up to:
- $35,000 for each individual eligible registered nurse (RN) who commits to three years of service
- $20,000 for each individual eligible RN who commits to two years of service
- $30,000 for each individual eligible licensed practical nurse (LPN) who commits to three years of service
- $15,000 for each individual eligible LPN who commits to two years of service
*Part-time awards are also available on a prorated basis. For more information, please visit https://www.marepay.org/continuous-skilled-nursing-csn.
To view a flyer with additional information, click here.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your CCM Clinical Manager.
Thank you.
Sharing important information regarding CCM Relief Funds - February 22nd, 2024
February 22nd, 2024
Dear CCM Members and Families,
Starting February 13th, UHealthSolutions (UHS) is mailing important information to Community Case Management (CCM) members and families about the fourth round of CCM Relief Funds. The fourth round of relief funds are available to the natural caregivers of CCM members who were enrolled in CCM with an established service record in December 2023. This letter is being sent on behalf of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).
The CCM Relief Funds are intended to support CCM family members and other unpaid individuals (“natural caregivers”) who help CCM members get the care they need. These “relief” payments—funded through the American Rescue Plan Act—will be made directly to the CCM member’s primary natural caregiver. Additional details about the relief payments and eligible caregivers are included in the letters mailed to members and families.
Qualifying natural caregivers will receive a relief payment of $3,500 to support their relief needs. Natural caregivers for CCM members who are authorized by MassHealth for more than 84 hours of continuous skilled nursing (CSN) services per week will receive an additional $1,000.
Please see the attached image of the envelope that CCM members and families should look out for in your postal mail, which will include a letter explaining the CCM Relief Funds in greater detail. The letter will also include an “Attestation Form” which you have to complete to receive the Relief Funds.
To help families get the Relief Funds, EOHHS has set up two ways for you to send in a completed Attestation Form.
1. Return the form via US mail in the postage paid envelope included in your letter
2. Upload the form electronically via the secure link provided in your letter and included here: https://commonwealthmedicine.my.site.com/CaregiverRelief
We have also attached a copy of the letter and form which will be included in your mailing, in case you prefer to access the form electronically or if the mailed copy is lost or misplaced.
Please Note: If you received a letter for a previous round of relief funds, but you did not submit an attestation form, you are still eligible. Please submit your completed form through the mail or via the online secure link. UHealthSolutions will contact you to confirm you would like to receive any prior rounds of the relief funds.
If you have questions about the CCM Relief Funds after reading your letter, please contact your CCM Clinical Manager at (800) 863-6068 or email at CommCase@umassmed.edu
Annie Kazarnovsky
Program Manager of CSN Services
MassHealth Office of Long Term Services and Supports
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
One Ashburton Pl. 5th floor
Boston, MA 02108
Notice of Public Hearing and Governor Proposed Increases for CSN Services - February 21st, 2024
February 21st, 2024
Dear CCM Members and Families,
The FY25 budget proposal includes $38.8 million in additional funding for continuous skilled nursing (CSN) services. Please note that while the Governor’s budget recommends this rate increase, the budget requires the approval of the legislature. As it stands, MassHealth is aiming to publish the regulation amendments and make the updated rates effective on August 16th, 2024; however, this date is subject to change.
The proposed amendments include an average 33% rate increase for services provided by registered nurses (RNs) and an 11% rate increase for services provided by licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Additionally, the proposed amendments establish a high-tech rate add-on, available for nurses who serve members with tracheostomy, ventilator, and or central line care needs. The proposed high-tech rate add-on is $2/15-minute unit, or $8/hour. The high-tech rate add-on increases rates on average by 41% for RN rates and by 21% for LPN rates.
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is holding a public hearing on the proposed amendments to 101 CMR 361.00: Rates for Continuous Skilled Nursing Agency and Independent Nursing Services. If you wish, you may register to testify at the public hearing and/or submit to EOHHS written testimony on the proposed amendments to 101 CMR 361.00. Written comments and testimony are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 8th, 2024.
There will be a virtual public hearing on March 8th, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
A copy of the Notice of Public Hearing and links to register to testify at the public hearing can be found here: 101 CMR 361.00 Notice of Public Hearing
A copy of the proposed amendments and regulations can be found here: Proposed Amendments to 101 CMR 361.00 P
If you have any questions, please reach out to your CCM Clinical Manager.
Kind regards,
Annie Kazarnovsky
Program Manager for CSN Services
MassHealth, OLTSS
New Text Messages for alerts and updates – Response Required 2/2/2024
SUBJECT: New Text Messages for alerts and updates – Response Required
Date: February 5, 2024
Hello MassHealth Members/Families and Caregivers,
MassHealth has heard feedback from members and families that it would be helpful for MassHealth to send reminders or updates via text messaging. We are happy to announce that we can now send text messages as another communication channel to alert you of an email sent about an upcoming meeting, policy updates, and additions to our website.
If you would like to receive these text message alerts, please fill out the following form to provide your approval and preferred contact information. https://forms.office.com/g/hYqQX0c17t If you do not complete the form, MassHealth will not be able to send you text message alerts.
We have added a template of some text messages that you may be sent. These templates must comply with MassHealth privacy standards. As you see in the template, no personal information is referred to and the message simply serves as an alert to make you aware of an email or upcoming meeting.
Please complete the form by February 16, 2024, to be included in text messages. If we do not receive a form response, your phone number will not be added to the list for text alerts.
Text Templates that will be sent for different alerts:
Reminder of upcoming Meeting template
Reminder: If you are a CCM Member/Family, there is a call on [Date at Time]. Details were emailed on [date].
Update to the CCM Webpage
If you receive CCM Services, new materials have been posted at www.mass.gov/ccm.
Meeting minutes and Power Point slides from the meeting on [Date at Time] have been posted at www.mass.gov/ccm.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
MassHealth CSN OLTSS
Please complete the form by February 16, 2024, to be included in text messages. If we do not receive a form response, your phone number will not be added to the list for text alerts.
Opportunity for Southeast Mass Families to Participate in CSN Nurse Training 1/31/2024.
January 29, 2024
TO: Southeast Massachusetts Region (only) Families
FROM: Nightingale Northern Nest, LLC.
Dear Complex Care Members and Families,
Exciting news. Nightingale Northern Nest, LLC was awarded an ARPA American Relief Plan Act, funding to lead a MassHealth Continuous Nursing Skilled “CSN” Training initiative and have started our first course. This training will continue through 2025.
An important part of our curriculum is the training we will provide for our nurse enrollees with families. We know firsthand that you are vital in training CSN homecare nurses! We, therefore, invite your participation in the Southeast Region CSN Training Program with the following:
- Expert Clinical Pearls: Provide content for the Clinical Pearls section offering information to facilitate learning in the home environment.
- Member Family Highlights: Opportunity to be highlighted with photos and information with the goal of increasing knowledge of the CCM population.
- Care Plan Specifics: Provide care plan information so trainees can preview typical nursing care plans. All personal identifiers such as patient name, address, MD name, etc., will be removed.
Please respond to this email to learn about the program and your participation if interested at: info@NightingalesNorthernNest.com.
The Southeast Region CNS Training Program has been developed by Nightingale’s Northern Nest - a company dedicated to building a patient nest with education in High Acuity Homecare. The curriculum is designed to bridge the learning gap in homecare, focusing on filling the void of expertise and knowledge in this specialized field. Full program participation offers three layers with Online Learning, In-Person Demonstrations, and In-Home Observation Sessions.
Also, if you live in the SE Region (Plymouth, Cape Cod, or Islands) and would like your home to be considered as an In-Home Observation Site for Summer/Fall courses, please contact us for more information.
If you are located in other regions of Massachusetts, you can reach out to Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professionals “MGH IHP” to learn more on how to get involved with their training program. Reach out by email to: complexcare@mghihp.edu.
Sincerely,
Program Director
Nightingale Northern Nest, LLC
Invitation to MassHealth Listening Sessions on Care/Case Management Supports for You and Your Family - January 17th, 2024
January 17th, 2024
Dear Community Case Management Members and Families,
This past fall, MassHealth created a Request for Information (RFI) to gather feedback from members, families, and organizations about care and case management services to support the community case management (CCM) population. The RFI responses will help MassHealth to contract with an organization to provide care and case management services to CCM members and families. Families will have the choice of whether to work with this new care and case management organization. Members and families will continue to work with their CCM clinical manager for their annual assessments and prior authorizations.
MassHealth heard feedback from several member and family stakeholders who shared that the RFI process was challenging for families, and asked MassHealth to create another way for families to share feedback. As a result, MassHealth is hosting four listening sessions to hear feedback from CCM members and their families about care and case management services that would be provided through a new organization. The listening sessions will be held at the following times:
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MassHealth is developing a Request for Responses (RFR) to contract with an organization to provide care and case management supports to the CCM population. As MassHealth works on the RFR, we want to hear from members and families about the types of services that would be helpful to them and their family. Some examples of services that MassHealth wants this new entity to provide include:
- Providing systems to ensure timely ordering and reordering of medical supplies
- Coordinating medications with pharmacies
- Helping to navigate and assist with insurance and benefits programs
- Helping to recruit direct care staff, including nurses, personal care attendants (PCAs), home health aides, etc.
- Helping to find in-network medical, behavioral health, dental, and vision providers
- Helping to find community resources
- Working with hospitals on discharge planning
- Helping to transfer from pediatric to adult providers
- Working with school districts on individualized education plans (IEPs)
This is just a sample of some of the activities MassHealth intends to include in the RFR.
At the listening sessions, MassHealth will be available to hear member and family feedback on care/case management supports that would be helpful. That feedback will then be used to improve the RFR to better meet the needs of the CCM population. Some questions to help members and families prepare for the listening session can be found in a survey that MassHealth has created for members and families who are unable to attend the listening sessions, or who would prefer to provide written feedback. The survey includes five questions about care/case management supports for members and families. If possible, please review the survey before the listening sessions to help guide your feedback and the discussion that will follow. | https://forms.office.com/g/np2G5u0EQ1 |
Please submit all survey responses by Friday, February 2nd at 5pm.
Please Share this Exciting Opportunity! FREE Home-Based Complex Care Training Program for Nurses-December 22, 2023
December 22, 2023
Dear CCM Members and Families:
MassHealth is paying for two clinical nurse training programs for Continuous Skilled Nursing (CSN) and we are hoping you will share this exciting news with the nurses you work with! The flyer is attached, and we are asking if can please tell your nurses about this wonderful FREE program. We greatly appreciate your help!
About the Training Program
This exciting opportunity allows CSN nurses to participate in a FREE Home-Based Complex Care Training program and starts next month! The training program will enhance nurses’ skills with a hybrid online and hands-on intensive course.
When they successfully finish the CSN training program, nurses will receive a generous $3,000 stipend along with Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The attached flyer has all the details and contact information for the program so nurses can learn more.
Opportunity for Families to be involved with Training.
Families can be a part of the training program too! Your experience as a caregiver and managing complex care nurses is an essential part of the course. If you want to learn more about how you can be involved and compensated for your participation, please email: Christina.Andrianopoulos@mass.gov. Thank you!
If you have any questions about this program, please contact the LTSS Service Center at (844) 368-5184 or support@masshealthltss.com.
Warm Regards,
OLTSS, MassHealth CSN Team
Summary of CCM Quarterly Calls October 18th and 24th, 2023 - December 14, 2023
December 14, 2023
Dear CCM Members and CCM Families,
MassHealth hosted two CCM Member and CCM Family Quarterly Calls on October 18th and 24th. The materials from those two calls have been posted to the CCM member webpage at www.mass.gov/ccm.
The materials include:
- The PowerPoint slide presentation describing CSN Service Delivery Initiatives that MassHealth is working on (link)
- A Meeting Summary, which summarizes feedback from participants and OLTSS responses to participant questions (link)
Additional information about the clinical CSN Training Programs mentioned in the presentation slides will be shared over email in the next couple of weeks.
Thank you,
Program Manager of CSN Services
MassHealth Office of Long Term Services and Supports
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
One Ashburton Pl. 5th floor
Boston, MA 02108
Email: anne.kazarnovsky@mass.gov
| Date published: | January 31, 2023 |
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