Q and A for COVID19 IR RFR.docx

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

ONE ASHBURTON PLACE, 11TH FLOOR

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

regarding the

Request for Responses For COVID-19 Isolation and Recovery Site Services

Document #: 23EHSCOVID19IRRFR

Q & A Issued: October 18, 2022

This document contains responses to questions received regarding the Request for Responses for COVID-19 Isolation and Recovery Site Services issued by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) on September 23, 2022. Answers have been provided to those questions which are of general interest and relevant to the preparation of a Response to the Request for Responses.

Q1. To what extent did the State previously provide Isolation & Recovery (I&R) services and to what extent?

· Require assistance with Activities of Daily Living from on-site staff; or

· Require medication administration (except for methadone); or

· Require the level of care provided at a Skilled Nursing Facility.

Q4. What level of medical care is expected to be provided by the vendor in the I&R?

A4. An awarded staffing vendor is expected to provide on-site medical monitoring and, when necessary, access to offsite car to ensure individuals admitted to the I&R facility can safely complete their isolation period.

Q5. Can standard 911 service be utilized for emergency medical transportation?

A5. In the event of a medical emergency, the vendor is expected to call 911.

Q6. What is Massachusetts’ current policy for time of isolation due to COVID-19?

A6. Please refer to the State’s COVID-19 Public Health Guidance and Directives webpage for the most up-to-date State guidance on isolation an quarantine periods.

Q7. Who will be responsible for costs if a guest/resident is admitted to a hospital or other healthcare facility?

A7. Medical services rendered outside of the I&R and associated costs, such as emergency transport occurring as a result of calling 911, are not to be billed by the vendor and are expected to be billed by the rendering provider to the individual’s health insurance.

Q8. Will vendor be responsible for scheduling and transportation for outpatient medical services?

A8. The vendor is expected to coordinate transportation for both admissions and discharges to and from the site. Individuals admitted to an I&R site are expected to remain at the site through the completion of their isolation period. In the event an individual needs to be transported offsite for emergency medical or safety reasons, the vendor will be responsible coordinating transportation services.

Q9. Who will prescribe any needed medications beyond over the counter medications?

A9. A I&R bidder for staffing services should include as part of its proposal a description of how it will ensure access to a medical provider who can prescribe necessary medications to individuals while they reside in the I&R to individuals .

Q10. Who is responsible for paying for Over-the-Counter Medications?

A10. Expenses related to supplies such as toiletries, personal protective equipment (PPE) over-the counter (OTC) medications and other operational supplies should be budgeted for and included in a bidder’s proposal submitted in response to this RFR.

Q11. Will guests/residents manage their own medications, or will contractor staff be expected to manage and distribute prescribed medications?

A11. Residents are expected to manage their own medications (except for methadone). Residents that require assistance in administering their medication are not appropriate for referral to an I&R.

Q12. Are bidders permitted to include start-up/readiness expenses necessary to meet the requirements of the RFA, such as the cost of establishing subcontracts?

A12. Bidders are encouraged to include all expected costs they anticipate necessary to meet the requirements of the RFA and complete their proposal. EOHHS will evaluate bids and, in the process of awarding contracts to vendors, will identify if any proposed costs are ineligible or impermissible under the RFR, prior to executing a contract with the vendor.

Q13. Will EOHHS or the state be suppling security for I&R sites?

A13. For bids proposing to provide staffing services, EOHHS expects awarded bids to provide their own security and staffing, which would be outlined in the proposed staffing model and costs.

Q14. If a guest/resident decides to leave prior to completion of isolation (an “administrative discharge”), what is vendor expected to do and who is responsible for the transportation and costs?