Sharing a reminder that the deadline to opt-in to HHS’ Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program is Friday, October 30. This program is intended to help long-term care communities, at no cost, with complete vaccination management through a retail pharmacy partnership with CVS and Walgreens. Long-term care communities are not mandated to participate in this program and can request to use their current pharmacy contracts to support COVID-19 vaccination. However, providers should ensure that their long-term care pharmacy is a registered provider with their state. It is also important to note that if communities opt-in to the HHS program, the decision on how to receive vaccines can be changed at any time before vaccines are distributed.

Based on a call with HHS officials today, it has been clarified that independent living residents are included for prioritization in the vaccination program and as such, should be included in vaccination clinics in partnership with CVS/Walgreens or qualified long-term care pharmacies. This would include standalone independent living communities and CCRCs, as well as previously recognized senior living communities. As such, we are encouraging all senior living providers (assisted living, independent living, memory care, and continuing care) to register for the HHS’ Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. And be sure you adequately account for all residents, staff, volunteers, and vendors in providing census counts.

More information on HHS’ Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program can be found here.