COVID-19 Information for Providers and Long-Term Care Professionals

COVID Unit Directory

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has contracted with multiple nursing facilities to establish dedicated units to care for residents with a confirmed COVID-19+ diagnosis. The following is a directory of the statewide dedicated COVID-19 units.

COVID+ Unit Facility Name

Address

County

Facility Phone

Western WA

 

 

 

Newgen Orchard Park Health and Rehabilitation

4755 South 48th St, Tacoma, 98409

Pierce County

253-475-4611

Avamere Heritage Rehabilitation of Tacoma

7411 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 98408

Pierce County

253-474-8456
Bethany at Pacific 916 Pacific Avenue; Everett, 98201 Snohomish County 425-330-6069

Eastern WA

 

 

 

Caldera Care Franklin Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center

6021 N Lidgerwood St, Spokane, 99208

Spokane

509-489-3343 ext. 204

Accessing the COVID-19 Vaccine 

Visit the WA State Department of Health vaccine website for information about the COVID-19 vaccine. 

 

WA Roadmap to recovery

The Roadmap to Recovery plan establishes phased criteria for the state. 

COVID-19 Reporting Requirements

You must report suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 to the following parties (see list of notifiable conditions)

ALTSA requests that all long-term care facilities report COVID status twice per week. (See Instructions)

THE SEMIWEEKLY REPORTING DOES NOT REPLACE CRU REPORTING FOR FACILITIES AND AGENCIES

Vaccine Administration

Refer to the Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine page for general information about the vaccine.

Informational Flyers

Long-Term Care Advisory Group

An advisory group has been formed to address pandemic-related issues affecting long-term care providers. The group is comprised of members of state government, industry representatives, labor representatives, and other stakeholders.

Advisory Group Purpose Statement

The purpose of this Long-Term Care Facilities COVID-19 Advisory Group is to:

  • Communicate across agencies and across advisory group representation what is needed to fully support residents, families, providers and facility staff in response to the COVID-19. 
  • Share information that has been captured from other groups and sources with the goal of coordinating the many channels of information that are occurring as a result of COVID-19 response.
  • Advise agencies and local jurisdictions on policy decisions and practices related to COVID-19 response in long-term care facilities and home and community-based programs.
  • The activities of this group are specific to COVID-19 related needs.  Unless the group decides to adjourn earlier, once the threat of the pandemic is past, activities of this advisory group will terminate.
Represented long-term care facilities include adult family homes, skilled nursing facilities, supported living agencies, and assisted living facilities.

Resources:

Meeting Agendas:

Meeting Minutes:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Pay close attention to our "Provider/Administrator Letters" for the latest guidance. Refer procedural questions to your local health department.

Protocol for Donning (Putting On) and Doffing (Taking Off) PPE

The effectiveness of PPE depends on its proper use. Putting on or removing PPE inappropriately can negate its protective properties. Adhere to CDC guidelines for use of PPE and refer to CDC instructions for properly donning (video) and doffing (video) PPE.

How to Acquire PPE

All long-term care facilities are instructed to purchase necessary personal protective equipment. In the event of an urgent shortage, visit this page to review your backup options.

Individual Providers are eligible to request PPE from the state.

COVID-19 Testing    

Who should get tested?

The Washington State Department of Health recommends prompt testing for anyone with symptoms of COVID-19. If a resident, client, or staff member at a long-term care facility tests positive for COVID-19, contact your local health jurisdiction for immediate instruction on broader testing.    

Infection Control and Prevention

COVID-19 Guidance for Home Care Workers

This document details important safety measures for home care workers to protect themselves and their clients. It is also available in a variety of languages:

Amharic

Arabic

Cambodian

Chinese

English

Spanish

Korean

Laotian

Russian

Samoan

Somali

Tagalog

Ukrainian

Vietnamese

 

Appendix K Waivers

Appendix K waivers have been filed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These waivers temporarily modify some processes of care, provider qualifications, service limitations, and other guidelines. Providers should stay current with these waivers to optimally respond to COVID-19.

Provider Rate Enhancements

The outbreak of COVID-19 has burdened providers with increased costs. Emergency rate enhancements have been extended to providers to offset some of these increased expenses.

Home and Community Services (HCS) Rate Enhancements

Home Care Agencies will receive a vendor rate of $35.68 per hour, or $8.92 per quarter hour, through September 30, 2020.

Individual Providers will receive an additional $2.56 per hour for hours worked through September 30, 2020.

  • H20-068 details temporary rate changes for Home Care Agencies, training class time and the Family Caregiver Support Program.
  • H20-070 details rate add-ons for Medicaid service providers, including assisted living facilities, enhanced services facilities, adult family homes, community choice guides, supportive housing, behavior support agencies, nurse delegators, private duty nursing and skilled nursing during the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • H20-077 details rate enhancements for Individual Providers.

Residential Care Services (RCS) Rate Enhancements

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services have increased Federal Match Assistance Percentages (FMAP), resulting in an effective 12-15% rate increase for facilities.

Admitting nursing home facilities will receive an exceptional rate of $100 per client per day atop regular rates for admitting a hospitalized client who transitions to their facility during the surge period.

DSHS has also begun establishing contracts with providers that can establish buildings or wings that can provide services dedicated to COVID+ residents. These COVID+ facilities will receive an enhanced daily rate of $450/day.

ALTSA issued a “Dear Provider” letter on May 4 that details rate increases for Assisted Living Facilities and Adult Family Homes.

Additional Guidance for Providers

Guidance for Individual Providers

The work performed by Individual Providers is considered essential under the Governors Proclamation 20-25. See our Guide for Individual Providers top strategies to limit close contact and protect yourself and others.

Phased Reopening Guidance for Adult Day Services

ALTSA Response to COVID-19

The Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) has reacted to the COVID-19 outbreak by securing federal waivers to afford providers much-needed flexibility in care delivery, and by delivering timely guidance to providers and facilities. Our guidance consolidates input from Governor Jay Inslee, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and other authoritative bodies.

Help, Hotlines, and Guidelines

Washington State Department of Health Coronavirus Call Center

  • 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

Washington State Department of Health Web Resources

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Applicable to federally certified programs such as nursing facilities and ICF/IIDs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Washington State Coronavirus Response Website

DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration