CIVIL MONEY PENALTY REINVESTMENT FUND GRANT BACKGROUND
The Connecticut Department of Public Health, Facility Licensing and Investigations Section is responsible for the oversight and administration of the Long-Term Care Program and seeks innovative projects that support, protect and benefit nursing facility residents.
Civil money penalties are imposed by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) when the department finds long term care facilities to be in violation of CMS conditions of participation. Connecticut receives a portion of the collected funds to be used to support projects that improve the overall quality of life and/or care of nursing facility residents.
CMP fund grants are only available for quality improvement initiatives that are outside the scope of normal facility operations and cannot be used to fund goods or services that the applicant already offers or is required to provide by state or federal law or regulation.
NEW
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) CMS created a process to enable states to approve requests for communicative technology that meet CMS parameters. The parameters are detailed in the instructions portion of the application template (below). This template and process will reduce the amount of time for approval of CMP funds for in-person visitation aides to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The application is for nursing homes certified to participate in Title 18 and Title 19t of the Social Security Act. Applications should be submitted to https://dphflisevents.ct.gov/. Questions regarding the CMP funding request may submit a ticket online at https://dph-cthelpdesk.ct.gov/Ticket and select 'FLIS' under “What program you need assistance with” and a staff will respond to you shortly. Once an application is approved, the Connecticut Department of Public Health will contact each applicant.
Funding for In-Person Visitation Aids
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed the COVID-19 In-Person Visitation Aids Request Application Template for the use of CMP Reinvestment funds to provide nursing homes with in-person visitation aids, such as tents and clear dividers. When completing the application, be sure to include any shipping and handling costs, taxes, and installation costs on the application as we can only reimburse expenses that have been approved. The total of all costs cannot exceed $3,000 per facility. Please review the application and the FAQs carefully prior to completing the application. COVID-19 In-Person Visitation Aids Application / FAQ / Related Administrator Letter
The application must include the following:
- Request for funds must include funds to purchase aids and/or equipment that will support visitation, i.e. outdoor tests and clear dividers. The application cannot include requests for items that are prohibited as noted below
- Applications must ensure that Life Safety Code (LSC) requirements found at 42 CFR 483.90 are met, unless waived under the Public Health Emergency declaration;
- Applications must ensure appropriate infection prevention and control practices are in place. Surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected between resident and visitor uses. Review of the EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Uses against SARS-CoV-2 to determine if the disinfectant identified in the manufacturer’s instructions meet EPA’s criteria; and
- Application must demonstrate the appropriate level of visitation restrictions within available guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), e.g. limiting the number of individuals visiting any one resident.
Expenses that are prohibited include the following:
- Outdoor furniture
- Portable air conditioning or heating units
- Fans
- Ventilation systems
- Lighting systems
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Portable fire extinguishers of approved types
- Disinfectant and cleaning supplies
- No smoking signage
- Administrative fees
- Indirect costs
- Travel expenses
- Infrared temperature scanners
- COVID-19 testing and testing equipment