COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. While much about the spread of the disease is still unknown, indications point to the fact that older people, and those with preexisting medical conditions, appear to be more vulnerable. There is not yet a treatment or vaccine. 

As part of the response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) will be relaxing regulatory enforcement for certain medical professional licensing by issuing temporary (90 day) licenses to professionals holding valid out-of-state licenses.

As expected, legislation to increase the minimum wage is moving quickly through both the House and the Senate. The legislation, which is going to pass, increases minimum wage by $1.00/hr, bringing it to $11.50/hr effective October 1, 2020.

As expected, there are already a number of minimum wage proposals pending before the General Assembly. This includes legislation providing for a one year increase of $1.00/hr as well as legislation to gradually increase the minimum wage to $15.00/hr by 2024.

DOH is implementing a new process for ALRs to submit variances. Beginning in 2020, providers will be able to e-mail a variance request to [email protected]. 

The food service in each residence shall comply with the appropriate requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 21-27 and 21-31, Rhode Island Food Code (Part 50-10-1 of this Title), and such other applicable statutory or regulatory provisions.

Snack availability after dinner hours must be posted; this applies to Traditional Assisted Living and Memory Care

Recent surveys show DOH are looking carefully at residents with multiple falls.  (e.g. if fall prevention is included in the care plan, what interventions were put in place to lower fall risk?) Be sure to document file, even if no additional interventions are put in place.

Jennifer Olsen Armstrong has been promoted to Chief Center for Health Facilities Regulations, formerly Ray Rusin’s role. Diane Pelletier has accepted the position of Chief Health Program Evaluator, replacing Jennifer Olsen Armstrong. Jessica Marcaccio, most recently the primary AL Surveyor, has been promoted to Principle Nursing Care Evaluator, in RI speak Adele Renzulli’s role.

RI Health Office of Facility Regulations requires all AL communities to have a Life Safety Code inspection within 1 year of ALR License renewal. See sample letter

This week the RI Department of Health sent out a RI Assisted Living Inventory Survey. The survey is due back to DOH by October 25, 2019.  This will be used to help DOH understand Health Systems Capacity. 

The long awaited ruling from the US Department of Labor was finally issued on Monday of this week.  The impact of this ruling now enables all employees who make less than $35,568 annually, eligible for overtime pay.  The new rule also raises the threshold for highly compensated employees from $100,000 a year to $107,432 (of which $684 must be paid weekly on a salary or fee basis).  The new rate will take effect January 1, 2020.

The federal government's Form I-9, used by HR departments across the country to verify workers' employment eligibility, is expiring on August 31, 2019.  What should your organization do to prepare? 

Hospice care is considered a significant change, even if the services provided by the AL community do not change as a result. ALR Regulation Section  2.4.16 D states: The assessment shall be reviewed and at intervals not to exceed twelve (12) months and each time a resident’s condition changes significantly. 

Today, with the low unemployment rate and so many job openings, more employees are voluntarily leaving their jobs than at almost any other time. When an employee quits, it can leave managers scrambling to cover their work load. The loss can be particularly acute when employees simply don’t show up to work, sometimes only days after starting the job.

Some AL providers have experienced delays in confirmation of license renewals for CNA and Med Aids. RI Dept of Health, Professional Regulations report that CNA and MAD licensees who renew online should be active automatically but "holds" may occur for multiple reasons

NHPRI recently sent a letter to providers announcing they will be running an update file, which will contain amended Cost of Care (co-share) information for residents on Integrity. Providers may see residents with higher co-shares and possible recoupments in payments. NHPRI will issue a follow-up letter to clarify how this update will impact providers.