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Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

Provider Notice Issued 09/08/2020

Date:  September 9, 2020                                                                      

 

To:      Supportive Living Program (SLP) Providers

 

Re:      WEBINAR: Phased Reopening Processes for Supportive Living Program Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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This Notice informs Supportive Living Program (SLP) providers that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has scheduled a webinar on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. to review the phased reopening processes for SLP providers. Click link to register for the event.

https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/onstage/g.php?MTID=ea7d4a5530c77670cc7e5a6db1f0c1467

 

Reporting Positive COVID 19 Results

There are no changes to the current reporting process. SLP providers should continue to report positive test results for staff and residents to HFS daily using the designated reporting template via fax to (217) 557-5061. Please be sure to indicate if a resident is currently in the building, hospital or has been transferred to a nursing home. In addition, the local health department must be notified of positive tests. If a resident or staff member passes away from COVID 19 or complications from COVID 19, please notify the Bureau of Long Term Care Supportive Living Program at (844) 528-8444.

 

HFS Phased Reopening Inventory  

HFS Regional Supervisors will be reaching out to individual SLP buildings or corporate staff to gather information regarding planned submission of attestation to Phase 2. The Regional Supervisors will not be contacting SLP providers with current outbreaks.

Phase 2 is not reached until all the required criteria in the Guidance have been met and a completed HFS SLP COVID 19 Phased Reopening Attestation form is submitted to HFS. Additionally, SLP providers cannot progress to the next phased reopening level if the Restore IL region does not meet required metrics. HFS will continue to track positive cases within each building and monitor the reopening phase along with any applicable tiered mitigation assigned by the local health department or Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). It is important HFS has current information regarding the status of positive cases within each SLP provider building and its current reopening phase.

 

Attestation of Phased Reopening Progression

When a SLP provider meets all the required criteria for the next level of phased reopening, the HFS SLP COVID 19 Phased Reopening Attestation form must be completed by the SLP provider and submitted to the HFS Regional Supervisor via email. The Regional Supervisor will review the form for completeness, verify HFS information regarding reported positive cases within the building and confirm that IDPH’s regional COVID 19 resurgence information allows for progression to the next reopening phase. The Regional Supervisor will notify the SLP provider by email when the reopening phase is confirmed.

Link to IDPH’s website for the Illinois Regional COVID 19 Resurgence Criteria:

                             http://dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics

 

Phase Regression

SLP providers must complete daily assessments to assure all the phase criteria are still being met. If all the criteria is not met, the SLP provider must revert to the previous phase until the criterion is fulfilled. NOTE: Providers only need to remain in the previous phase until the criteria is met, not 14 days. Attestation forms must be completed for this phase regression and again later for progression to the next reopening phase when all criteria is met.

If there is a new facility-onset COVID 19 case at any phase of reopening, the SLP provider will revert immediately to Phase 1. New, facility-onset case is defined as “a COVID 19 case that originated in the facility, and not a case where the facility admitted an individual from a hospital with known COVID 19 positive status or unknown COVID 19 status that became COVID 19 positive within 14 days after admission”. This also includes any staff member who tests positive. Again, all new positive test results must be reported to HFS daily on the designated reporting template. HFS central office staff will relay this information to Regional Supervisors. In addition to notifying HFS of the positive test, SLP provider staff must also complete the Attestation form indicating regression to Phase 1 and submit to the Regional Supervisor.

 

HFS Onsite Visits

HFS may begin onsite visits on a limited basis for SLP providers that are in Phase 2. These onsite reviews will involve issues of potential harm to residents.

Normal review processes are resumed during Phase 3. This includes annual certification reviews.  

A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is being developed and will be distributed soon  

If you have questions, contact the Bureau of Long Term Care toll free at 844-528-8444

 

Kelly Cunningham

Interim Medicaid Administrator