Facility Operations
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Visit this website daily for the latest information that FHCA has to share about COVID-19. As concerns arise with the emerging coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working with our state partners, including Florida Department of Health and Agency for Health Care Administration to ensure nursing centers receive necessary guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.
FHCA Health & Regulatory Partners Call
Every Other Thursday at 4:15 p.m. EST (Access Call Schedule Here)
1-866-951-1151
8484844#
There are limited lines available for this call; dial in early to ensure participation.
Members of the media are asked to consider listening to call recordings to allow providers to access lines during the live calls. All audio recordings can be found below.
Vaccination Distribution Program
FHCA COVID-19 Facility Vaccine Readiness Web Page
- FL Dept of Health COVID-19 Vaccines, Launch of Newly Licensed Healthcare Providers and Facilities Lookup, and Reactivation of Inactive Licenses Alert (1/11/21)
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine FDA Briefing Document (12/10/20)
- CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) December 2020 Meeting
- AHCA Emergency Rule 59AER20-15, Mandatory Entry to Conduct Voluntary COVID-19 Vaccinations of Nursing Home Staff and Residents
- AHCA Emergency Rule 59AER20-14 Mandatory Entry to Conduct Voluntary COVID-19 Vaccinations of Assisted Living Facility Staff and Resident
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
- Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines
- HHS COVID-19 Video: How Do Vaccines Work
- 10 Things Healthcare Professionals Need to Know about U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Plans
CDC Pharmacy Partnership Program
- Federal Retail Pharmacy Program NEW
- CDC Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program for COVID-19 Vaccination
- CDC Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program for COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs
- AHCA/NCAL Pharmacy Partnership for LTC Program Overview
- AHCA/NCAL Pharmacy Partnership for LTC Program for COVID-19 Office Hours (10/19-10/28)
CDR Health (Assisted Living Facilities)
- CDR Health Vaccination Website
- AHCA Alert: COVID-19 Vaccinations for Assisted Living Facilities (1/7/21)
- Contact Info: ltcvaccines@cdrmaguire.com | 833-491-1237
Walgreens
- Webinar Recording
- COVID-19 Resident Handout - What to Expect Guide (English)
- COVID-19 Resident Handout - What to Expect Guide (Spanish)
- Facility Tip Sheet
CVS
CMS Required Testing
- New Nursing Facility COVID Testing FAQs (12/8/20)
- Interim Final Rule
- AHCA/NCAL Detailed Analysis
- AHCA/NCAL Webinar Recording (AHCA/NCAL members only login)
- AHCA/NCAL Resources to Get Started
- FDOH COVID-19 Reporting Portal Registration Factsheet 10-13-2020
- AHCA Provider Alert on Use of State Data for County Positivity Rate (9/25/20)
- Florida Department of Health County Positivity Rates (scroll to 'Testing' section; updated weekly)
- Florida Department of Health Instructions for Reporting POC Test Results
- Abbott BinaxNOW™ Test Kits Contact Information/Training Resources
- NHSN Updated with Testing Requirements Questions
- CMS QSO Memo 20-38: Complying with 483.80(h) Testing of Staff Regulations and New F-tag (F-886) (8/26/20)
- CMS QSO Memo 20-37: NH: Requirements of Reporting by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Certified Labs (8/26/20)
- CMS PowerPoint Presentation: New COVID 19 Testing and Reporting Requirements
- COVID-19 County-Level Positivity Rates
- CDC Considerations for Interpreting Antigen Test Results in Nursing Homes Algorithm
Communications
FHCA-Partner Conference Calls
Click Here for Archives of FHCA Partner Call Audio Recordings
- 3/4/21 FHCA Call Recording
- 2/18/21 FHCA Call Recording
- 2/4/21 FHCA Call Recording
- 1/21/21 FHCA Call Recording
- 1/14/21 FHCA Call Recording
- 1/7/21 FHCA Call Recording
FHCA Email Alerts
Click Here for Archives of FHCA Email Alerts
- 3/3/21 Alert - COVID-19 State of Emergency Extended, Personal Care Attendant Program, Medicaid Billing Provisions Extended, Vaccine Administration/Protecting Florida's Seniors Executive Order, Johnson and Johnson Vaccine Update, Vaccine Allocations fo States, FEMA Vaccination Sites for HCP in Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade and Orange Counties, Applying New CDC Quarantine Guidance to LTC Staff, Medicaid Benefits Waivers, COVID-19 Funding Resource Page, PRF HHS FAQ Update, CMP Funds Still Available for Technology/Visitation Resources
- 2/17/21 Alert - Dept. of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Updates; CDC Updates - Risk Assessment and Work Restrictions for HCP; Maximizing Fit for Cloth & Medical Procedure Masks; Personal Care Attendant Program Staff Applications for Prometric Florida Nurse Aide Exam; Potential Next Steps Following Vaccine Clinics; Research Study on Pandemic Response;Provider Relief Fund Outstanding Issues; Outpatient Therapeutics Mini-Series & Monocolonal Antibodies Resource Available
- 2/4/21 Alert - AHCA Emergency Orders Renewed, Vaccinations for Staff Outside CVS/Walgreens/CDR Health Clinics, CDC Releases Information on Early COVID-19 Vaccination Update in SNFs, Open Recruitment for AHRQ ECHO COVID-19 Action Network, CDC Guidelines on Vaccination for COVID-19 Positive Residents or Staff, HHS Announces Updates to Provider Relief Fund FAQs, Executive Order for Worker Health & Safety
- 1/20/21 Alert - ALF COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs, CDC Updates Guidance on Antigen Testing in Long Term Care Facilities, HHS Opens PRF Reporting Portal for Registration, Important Change to NHSN POC Test Reporting Requirement, Alliant Quality NSHN Updates Shop Talk (1/21), Workforce Updates Through Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021
- 1/13/21 Alert - Vaccine Updates, Guidance, Resources; PHE Extension Extends Blanket Waivers
- 1/6/21 Alert - CMS Vaccine Safety Call, Revised Infection Control Survey Criteria, ICD10 Codes
Guidance and Resources
Visitation
- CMS COVID-19 Holiday Recommendations NEW
- AHCA FAQs for Emergency Order 20-11 (11/4/20)
- Florida Health Care Association Side-by-Side Comparison FDEM Emergency Order 20-009 and FDEM Emergency Order 20-011
- Emergency Order 20-009 Lifting Restrictions for Visitation to Nursing Homes, ALFs, Adult Family-care Homes, Adult Group Homes and Other LTC Facilities (9/1/20)
- Final Report of Task Force on the Safe and Limited Re-Opening of Long Term Care Facilities
- FHCA LTC Facility Visitation Resources (Webinar Recording & Additional Tools)
- CMS CMP Grant Resources for Visitation Tools (Tents, Barriers)
Issue Reporting
- Click Here to provide FHCA with details of the issue facilities may be experiencing with guidance or directions inconsistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection control standards (DOH local staff, their representative, AHCA surveyor) or required testing of staff and voluntary residents by DOH Testing Teams or Test Specimen Collection Kits for in-house collections (scheduling, results, receipt of supplies).
COVID-19 Positive Cases
- FHCA Positive Case Identified: What to Expect Webinar Resources (5/14)
- Discontinuation of Transmission-based Precautions and Disposition of Patients with COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities (7/20/20)
- CDC LTCF COVID-19 Reporting Module / CDC LTCF COVID-19 Reporting Module Enrollment
- AHCA Alert: LTC and Residential Facility Family Notification of Positive Case Requirement Reminder (4/17/20)
- DOH Update on Reporting COVID-19 Cases for Health Care Providers and Facilities (4/3/20)
Cohorting/COVID-19 Units
- COVID-19 Isolation Centers (Regional Resources for COVID-19 Positive Patient Requiring Nursing Facility Level of Care) NEW
- FHCA Cohorting: Steps to Setting Up Your Facility's COVID-19 Unit Webinar Resources (5/21)
- Discontinuation of Transmission-based Precautions and Disposition of Patients with COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities (7/20/20)
- AHCA Guidance for Converting a Patient Room into a Temporary Airborne Infection Isolation (TAII) Room
- AHCA Office of Plans & Construction COVID-19 Guidance/Q&A
- CMS Cohorting/LTC Facility Transfer Scenarios Guidance
- Cohorting Consideration Guide (AHCA/NCAL Resource)
Testing
- Abbott BinaxNOW Training Videos & Documents
- CMS Point-of-Care Testing Frequently Asked Questions NEW
- DOH Lab Results Call Center/ Call Center: 833-956-0323 or stateesf8.planning@flhealth.gov
- DOH LTC Facility Administration Registration Flyer
- DOH How to Conduct Testing in the LTC Facility Flyer
- DOH Employee Testing Registration Flyer
- AHCA QAs Re: Emergency Rules for NH and ALF Testing
- AHCA Emergency Rule 59AER20-3 Regarding Testing & Infection Prevention and Control Purposes - Nursing Homes (5/10/20)
- AHCA Emergency Rule 59AER20-2 Regarding Testing & Infection Prevention and Control Purposes - ALFs (5/10/20)
- AHCA/NCAL Preparing for Widespread Testing Guidance
- FHCA Testing Expectations & Precautionary Measures Webinar Resources (5/12)
Hurricane Season & COVID-19
- AHCA Provider Alert with Guidance on Hurricane Season & COVID-19 Considerations (5/29/20)
- CDC Webinar Recording - 2020 Hurricane Season During COVID-19
EMS Facility Site Visits
Restrictions/Screening Tools
- Employee Screening Tool: PDF / MS Word (Updated 9/17/20)
- Employee Return-to-Work Screening Tool: PDF / MS Word (Updated 9/17/20)
- Sample Employee Screening Log - Excel (Updated 4/29/20)
- Visitor Screening Tool: PDF / MS Word (Updated 4/29/20)
- Screener Competency Tool
- Emergency Order 20-006 Re: Visitation Limits at Residential, Skilled Nursing and Long-term Care Facilities
- AHCA Provider FAQs on Emergency Order 20-006
- CMS Guidance RE Visitor Restrictions (3/13/20)
Transfer/Admissions
- Hospital to SNF Transfer Form (Updated 11-6-20) NEW
- SNF to Hospital Transfer Form
- Acute/Post-Acute Collaborative (Hospital-Nursing Center Virtual Meetings, Resources & More)
- FHCA Transfer and Admissions: Keys to Building a Strong Hospital -Nursing Home Partnership Webinar Resources (5/19)
- AHCA Alert: Nursing Home COVID-19 Response/Resident Transfer (5/5/20)
- CMS Cohorting/LTC Facility Transfer Scenario Guidance
- Clarification of COVID-19 Guidance Pertaining to Testing and Disposition of Hospital Patients
- Admitting Residents with Respiratory Illness
Health Care Personnel
- CDC Updated Healthcare Personnel Return to Work Criteria (4/13/20)
- CDC Guidance on Critical Workers Implementing Safety Practices
- DOH Guidance - Return to Work Criteria for Essential with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 (7/20/20)
- Health Care Staff Travel Letter for Use During Established Curfews (DOH Ltr to Law Enforcement)
- Temporary Personal Care Attendant Program: Overview & Facility Training Materials
- AHCA Alert: Health Care Provider Background Screening (3/28/20)
- Dept. of Health Live Scan Service Providers
- Managing Stressful Conditions: Best Practice Tips
- Healthcare Staffing Agencies (FLHealthFinder.gov - Search by Provider Type - “Health Care Services Pool”)
- CNA Competency Tool
- Sample Facility Letter Re: Essential Health Care Worker (to attach with DOH Law Enforcement letter)
Residents
- Nebulizer Treatment for COVID-19 Infected Residents with Severe Respiratory Symptoms
- AHCA/NCAL Guidance on Offering Compassionate Care/Advance Care Planning Discussions
- Recommendations for When Residents Want to Leave Building
- Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries with Representative Payees Webinar Recording NEW
- Economic Impact Payment Guidance
- Medicaid FAQ document Re: Eligibility Implication of Stimulus Checks (#54)
- Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries with Representative Payees / SSA Press Release
Child Care
- Priority Childcare for First Responders/Healthcare Workers - Checklist for submitting application
- Early Learning Coalitions (local list)
Communal Dining
Personal Protective Equipment
- PPE Resources (Staff Competency Training, Video/Posters on Proper Use, Conservation Strategies)
- N95 Mask Decontamination for Florida Nursing Centers (Free Program Through Battelle)
- FDEM COVID-19 Emergency Requisition Request Form (Submit to Local Emergency Management Office)
- CDC PPE Burn Rate Calculator
- CDC Guidance on PPE Listed as Expired
- Contact List of Resources (PPE, Telehealth, Staffing, Hygiene Care, Laboratories, etc.)
Telehealth
Financial/Reimbursement
- HHS General and Targeted Distribution Post-Payment Notice of Reporting Requirement (7/20/20)
- Beneficiary is Hospital Inpatient (Community Admission or SNF Readmission)
- Beneficiary Admission From Community, ER, or Hospital Observation Stay
- Beneficiary is SNF Long Term Care Resident (Skill-in-Place)
- CMS SNF Medicare Part A Coverage Waiver Guidance
- CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Website / Attestation Portal / FAQs on Provider Relief Fund
- Agency for Health Care Administration Medicaid Alerts & FAQs
- Emergency Order AHCA 20-2002 to Suspend Nursing Home and Intermediate Care Facility Assessment Payments (4/15/20)
- Florida Medicaid Alert: Medicaid Provider Enrollment 6-Month Revalidation Extension (4/15/20)
- CMS FAQ on Medicare Fee-for-Service
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)for State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Agencies
- Medicare Accelerated and Advanced Payment FAQs
Communication Tools
- Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment Application Template - Communicative Technology Request
- Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Application for Communicative Technology Request Frequently Asked Questions
- Crisis Communications Webinar Recording, Sample Family Communications, Media Resources
- CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Frontline Long-term Care Staff (YouTube Video Series)
- Dept. of Elder Affairs Project VITAL - Virtual Technology for LTC Residents to Help Mitigate the Effects of Social Isolation
Employer Guides
- Applicability of Paid-Leave Provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Addressing the Coronavirus Outbreak – An Employers Guide
- Additional Employment Resources (Members Only)
Regulatory Updates
National Healthcare Safety Network Reporting
- CDC National Health Safey Network (NHSN) System COVID-19 Module
- Point of Care Testing NHSN Reporting Requirements - Upgrade from Level 1 to Level 3 NEW
- Alliant Quality NHSN ShopTalk Video Shorts
- Alliant Quality Tips for NHSN Reporting
- Alliant Quality Office Hours for NHSN Enrollment Assistance Webinar Recording
- FHCA COVID-19 Alert with NHSN Reporting Updates
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COCA Facebook Page (check frequently for informative live stream meetings)
- CDC Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Tool for Nursing Homes Preparing for COVID-19
- CDC Guidance Re: Nursing Home Notifications to State/Local Health Dept.
- CDC Guidance on Critical Workers Implementing Safety Practices
- Updated CDC Guidance on Use of Masks, Gowns and Face Shields in Crisis Shortages
- CDC Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in LTC Facilities
- CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Preparedness Checklist for Nursing Homes and other Long-Term Care Settings
- Additional CDC Guidance and Resources
Florida Department of Health
- Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Updates
- DOH Guidance for Assisted Living Communities
- Health Care Practitioner Reporting Guidelines for Reportable Diseases and Conditions in Florida
- Clinical Screening Tool for Identifying Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 (5/11/20)
- Enhanced Surveillance and Preparedness for COVID-19 Reporting for Healthcare Providers
- Florida Department of Health (Florida Health) Contact Information For Providers to Report Diseases and Conditions
- Health Care Coalitions in Florida (The purpose of HCCs is to ensure that local providers and other health care partners plan collaboratively for the risks facing the health care community and identify available local resources)
- Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Toolkit (infographics, guidance)
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories
Agency for Health Care Administration
All nursing centers and assisted living facilities should be reporting into the Emergency Status System by 10:00 a.m. EST daily, including weekends, until further notice.
- AHCA COVID-19 web page
- AHCA Onsite Visit Form (8/6/20) NEW
- AHCA Provider Alert - Facility Site Visits (3/28/20)
- AHCA Provider Alert with Guidance on Hurricane Season & COVID-19 Considerations (5/29/20)
- Emergency Status System
- AHCA’s Emergency Status System: What’s New & What Facilities Need to Know Webinar (5/27 at 11 AM EST)
- COVID-19 Emergency Status System Resources
- AHCA ESS Reporting Updates (5/13/20)
- LTC Facility Additional Info Guidance Document
- AHCA ESS Who to Contact for Assistance
- Preadmission Screening and Resident Reviews (All Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) processes may be postponed until further notice by the Agency)
- FEDERAL SECTION 1135 WAIVER
- Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Policy Transmittal: 2020-12
- Novel Coronavirus Update for Health Care Facilities and Providers
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- CMS Current Emergencies Website
- CMS Targeted COVID-19 Training for Nursing Homes
- CMS How to Obtain a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Waiver NEW
- CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Call and Podcast Transcripts
- Alliant Quality COVID-19 Survey Readiness Booklet
- CMS Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes
- CMS QSO-20-28 NH Nursing Home Five Star Quality Rating System updates, Nursing Home Staff Counts, and Frequently Asked Questions (4/24/20)
- CMS Upcoming Requirements for Notification of Confirmed COVID-19 (or COVID-19 Persons under Investigation) Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes (4/19/20)
- CMS Long Term Care Facility Guidance (4/2/20)
- CMS COVID-19 Self-Assessment Infection Control Tool (developed with CDC) / American Health Care Association Action Brief on COVID-19 Infection Control Focused Surveys
- CMS Prioritization of Survey Activities (QSO-20-20-All, 3/23/20)
- CMS Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nursing Nomes (QSO-20-14 NH Revised 3/13/20)
- CMS Waivers of Three-Day Stay and Spell of Illness (3/13/2020)
- CMS Suspension of Survey Activities (QSO-20-12 All 3/4/20)
- Additional CMS Guidance and Resources
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Respiratory Protection Guidance for the Employers of Those Working in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, and Other Long Term Care Facilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic NEW
- Temporary Enforcement Guidance – Tight-Fitting Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) Used During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
- Respiratory Protection Plan Template
- Respiratory Protection Standard (29.C.F.R. 1910.134)
- OSHA Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 Reporting Obligations
- Template Letter in Response to OSHA Inquiries
- COVID-19 Guidance in Consideration of OSHA Obligations When PPE is Critically Low or Unavailable
- COVID-19 Recommendations for N95 Respirator Shortages Based on OSHA and CDC Guidance
- OSHA Revised Policies for Enforcing OSHA Requirements for COVID-19
- OSHA COVID-19 Resources (Including Interim Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases and Response Plan)
National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network (Project ECHO)
- National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network (Project ECHO)
- Alliant Quality - Florida Hub
- UMASS - Florida Hub
Florida Board of Nursing
- DOH Emergency Order 20-008 - Extends Professional Licensure Renewal through July 31. 2020 (5/28/20)
- DOH Emergency Order Re License Renewal Expiration
Florida Board of Pharmacy
Additional Resources
- ASPR COVID-19 Considerations for Long-Term Care Facilities (Sept. 2020)
- COVID-19 Information for Deaf or Hard of Hearing (English / Spanish)
- FDA Food Service Safety Practices (4/21/20)
- Hospice in LTC Facilities Guidance
- FMDA Stakeholders Meeting Video - Preparing for the COVID-19 Surge in Florida
- Resident Laundry Guidance with COVID-19
- Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up and Delivery Services During the COVID 19 Pandemic
- EPA-Registered Disinfectant Products (Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types to kill with appropriate disinfectants)
- Washington Nursing Home COVID-19 Outbreak: Lessons Learned
- AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus Resources
- AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus Webinar Recording (Mar. 3, 2020)
- The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA) Interim Recommendations for Post-Acute & LTC Facilities (Feb. 28, 2020)
- Long Term Care Respiratory Surveillance Line List
- Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health During Isolation