Coronavirus

Visit the AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus website daily for the latest information that we have to share with long term care providers about COVID-19.  As concerns arise with the emerging Coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working nationally with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure our long term care communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.

“Faces of Care”

In an effort to showcase both COVID-19 recoveries and the long term care heroes who make these recoveries possible, we have launched a page on CareNotCOVID.com titled “Faces of Care.” The landing page, CareNotCOVID.com/faces, features a gallery of residents who have recovered from COVID-19 as well as long term care staff who have stepped up to keep residents safe during the pandemic. There is also a form on the website to collection submissions of stories of hope from long term care facilities across the country. We are using news stories that we receive, videos and other testimonials.

On AHCA/NCAL social channels, we will continue to use the hashtag #CareNotCOVID to encourage others to share their stories and gain traffic to the site – serving our larger goal of continuing to push out positive, real-world examples of hope and support for long term care residents and caregivers.

We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative

AHCA/NCAL began a social media advocacy initiative last year and is encouraging all members to get involved.  The effort focuses on improving the overall image of the post-acute and long term care profession by sharing positive stories and pushing back on pieces that attempt to tie all providers to isolated negative events.

AHCA/NCAL will be sending interested members tips for getting more involved on social media, best practices for posting content, sample posts, and a roundup of positive stories about the profession on a regular basis. Individuals who want to get involved should email socialmedia@ahca.org to get on the mailing list.

The campaign also will include a rapid response to stories that are unfairly negative about the profession or do not accurately portray the reality of post-acute and long term care.  AHCA/NCAL hopes to build on these successes as the year continues. With thousands of buildings nationwide who touch the lives of millions of people, there is the chance to seriously affect the way the profession is viewed and treated by lawmakers and the media.

Articles and Resources of Interest

• Four Strategies to Help Long Term Care Providers Navigate the Impacts of COVID-19 on Healthcare Costs
• A Better Way for PT/OT Professionals to Address Functional Decline in SNF Patients
• Assisting Staff Through Adversity

Legislative and Agency Corner

• CMS Updates COVID-19 Billing FAQs Regarding Cost Reports and Government Furnished Resources
• NHSN Updates Instructions for Completing the Supplies and Personal Protective Equipment Pathway
• CDC Updates Transmission Based Precautions, Duration of Isolation, and Return to Work Criteria
• AHCA/NCAL Webinar on Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries with Representative Payees

2020 Health Care Observances

August 2020 marks, among other observances, National Health Center Week starting August 9 through August 15. The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.

Coronavirus

Visit the AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus website daily for the latest information that we have to share with long term care providers about COVID-19.  As concerns arise with the emerging coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working nationally with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure our long term care communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.