On April 2, CMS and CDC issued a new set of recommendations after learning from on-site surveys that more needs to be done to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Major highlights of this guidance are presented below. Advocates are urged to read the full guidance. Nursing homes should ensure they are complying with all CMS and CDC guidance about infection control, with a particular focus on hand hygiene. State and local leaders should work together to help address nursing home needs for PPE and tests. Facilities should screen every single person entering the facility (with the exception of EMS personnel…
CMS has issued blanket waivers for certain federal requirements it believes will free up nursing home providers to focus on containing the spread of COVID-19. Several of the regulations are waived only in COVID-19 related situations, while others apply in general. Regulatory areas impacted include transfer/discharges; nurse aide training and certification; care planning; physical environment; and more. For detailed information, see Consumer Voice’s summary and read the CMS publication. For a complete list of upcoming seminars, visit our website at www.davidwingate.com. Peace of mind is only a call or click away! For an Initial Consultation call Estate and Elder…
Senators Casey and Wyden sent a letter dated April 2 to CMS and CDC requesting release of a list of nursing homes that have had a resident or staff member with a positive COVID-19 test. The request was made after the Senators learned that the agencies are maintaining a list of facilities with documented cases of COVID-19, but are refusing to release the information. The Senators also requested information on how CMS intends to spend $100 million provided to the agency to limit the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes as part of the recently passed CARES Act. For a…
On March 18, 2020, the United States Senate passed the revised “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” (“FFCRA”) that had been passed by the United States House earlier this week, which President Trump has now signed. The FFCRA becomes effective within 15 days (April 2, 2020), so employers should immediately begin preparations to ensure compliance with the law. Importantly, the new law does not require that employers provide paid leave for employees who are off work just because of an office closure. Additional eligibility requirements must be met. Notable provisions of the FFCRA for employers include the following: Emergency Paid Sick…
There’s a lot of change happening right now and life is doing what it does – being unpredictable! We want to take a minute to be sure you know we are here for you! We are able to keep serving you and our community during this difficult time, especially for the majority of those we serve. We are open and fully functioning as we have full virtual capabilities in our office so reduced in person contact is not preventing us from being here to help you be sure that you, and those you love, will be okay. We are in…
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Diane Winiarski, the director of vocational rehabilitation at Allsup Employment Services, provides insight on the current state of disability employment in the country. Related: Ten Disability Policy Questions Every Presidential Candidate Should Answer SOURCE/MORE: FORBES For a complete list of upcoming seminars, visit our website at www.davidwingate.com. Peace of mind is only a call or click away! For an Initial Consultation call Estate and Elder Planning by David Wingate at (301) 663-9230 or visit www.davidwingate.com David Wingate is an estate planning and elder law attorney at Estate and Elder Planning by David…
Medicare coverage of nursing home care depends on a resident’s need for skilled nursing and/or therapy, not the resident’s potential for improvement. Yet many nursing home residents continue to be denied skilled services on the basis of an “Improvement Standard,” which was firmly rejected by the court-approved settlement in Jimmo v. Sebelius. Read the article. Access the template. For a complete list of upcoming seminars, visit our website at www.davidwingate.com. Peace of mind is only a call or click away! For an Initial Consultation call Estate and Elder Planning by David Wingate at (301) 663-9230 or visit www.davidwingate.com David Wingate…
Despite estimates of a large potential market, use of reverse mortgages in the U.S. is very low, with less than 2 percent of the population age 62 and older holding a reverse mortgage. It is suggested that the market can be improved by offering simple, streamlined product options that target specific consumer segments with demonstrated demand for home equity borrowing. For a complete list of upcoming seminars, visit our website at www.davidwingate.com. Peace of mind is only a call or click away! For an Initial Consultation call Estate and Elder Planning by David Wingate at (301) 663-9230 or visit…
Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) have proposed a new federal law to improve hiring practices at places where many seniors spend their last days. She cited a Senate report detailing widespread problems at nursing homes nationwide and also Buffalo News stories that revealed dangerous conditions for residents at several local facilities. Read the bill. SOURCE/MORE: BUFFALO NEWS For a complete list of upcoming seminars, visit our website at www.davidwingate.com. Peace of mind is only a call or click away! For an Initial Consultation call Estate and Elder Planning by David…
Virtual reality isn’t just for gamers. The same technology that lets users battle monsters in mythical worlds has proven useful for everything from overcoming phobias and practicing surgical procedures to getting a look inside the International Space Station. SOURCE/MORE: NBC For a complete list of upcoming seminars, visit our website at www.davidwingate.com. Peace of mind is only a call or click away! For an Initial Consultation call Estate and Elder Planning by David Wingate at (301) 663-9230 or visit www.davidwingate.com David Wingate is an estate planning and elder law attorney at Estate and Elder Planning…
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