The Perla Law Firm

02/11/2022

On February 2, 2022, CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) updated their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that clarify their November 2021 revised Nursing Home Visitation Guidance. They continue to emphasize that visitation must be permitted at all times, in accordance with residents’ rights, with very limited and rare exceptions. Read more at this link

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have made updates to their COVID-19 guidance. On February 2, 2022, CMS updated their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which clarify their November 2021 revised Nursing Home Visitation Guida...

02/09/2022

CMS announces new guidance on free Covid test kits for Medicare recipients.

12/23/2021

Our office will be closed tomorrow, December 24th and next Friday, December 31 so our staff can enjoy some well deserved rest and the company of their loved ones.

We hope that you get the opportunity to do the same. Happy holidays!

05/20/2021

If you've received at least your first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Ohio, enter for your chance to win here:

Ohioans 12 to 17 years of age, who have received at least their first dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination, may enter for a chance to win one of five, four-year full-ride scholarships, including room-and-board, tuition, and books, to any Ohio state college or university.

05/12/2021

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announces new incentives for Ohioans to be vaccinated.

In an effort to increase the number of Ohioans who currently have not taken a COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated, Governor DeWine announced a series of statewide drawings to help incentivize vaccinations.

Ohioans under the age of 18 who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be entered into a drawing for a four-year full scholarship to any of Ohio's state colleges and universities, including full tuition, room, and board.

Ohioans aged 18 and older will be entered into a weekly drawing with a prize of up to $1 million.

A total of five weekly drawings for each prize will take place, with the first winners being announced on May 26th. Winners must have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the date of the respective drawing.

The drawings will be administered by the Ohio Department of Health, with technical assistance from the Ohio Lottery Commission, and will be funded through existing allocations to the Ohio Department of Health of unexpended coronavirus relief funds.

Further details and contest rules will be announced by the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Lottery Commission next week during a briefing to news media.

02/24/2021

COVID-19 “Long-Haulers” Push for Disability Status and Benefits

Many patients suffering from long-term effects can no longer work and want the Social Security Administration to provide guidance on who qualifies for disability benefits.

02/23/2021

Nursing Home Visitation Update from the Governor:

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio's nursing homes has dropped significantly to 343 new cases last week compared to the peak of 2,832 new cases in December.

As the number of nursing-home cases continues to drop due to vaccinations in long-term facilities, Governor DeWine today reminded nursing home staff and families of nursing home residents about the status of visitation in Ohio's nursing homes.

Visitation is permitted at nursing homes in Ohio if the facilities meet the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) criteria to allow visits:
• No new onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days;
• The facility is not currently conducting outbreak testing; and
• CMS reports the COVID-19 county positivity rate at less than 10 percent.

Compassionate care visits, which are special visits in which a family member or other visitor provides comfort, support, and assistance to a resident whose well-being is suffering or at risk, are always permitted regardless of the criteria above.

Governor DeWine sent a letter today to all nursing homes in Ohio reminding them to check their county positivity rate every week to determine their visitation status and to remind them to allow for compassionate care visits.

Ohio’s nursing home facilities are required to report their visitation status to Ohio's Long-Term Care Visitation Dashboard.

If you have a loved one in need of a compassionate care visit but are having trouble scheduling a visit, contact Ohio's Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at [email protected] or 1-800-282-1206.

02/19/2021

Many Ohioans with medical conditions are now eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

This week, vaccine eligibility opened up to Ohioans born with the medical listed in the link below, or those who were diagnosed in early childhood whose conditions continued into adulthood.

Following anecdotal reports of individuals with these conditions being denied vaccination appointments, particularly those with cystic fibrosis, Governor DeWine stressed that vaccine providers should vaccinate those of any age with any of the listed conditions.

02/19/2021

Update on Nursing Home Visitation in Ohio from The Governor

Governor DeWine announced that he has assembled a team of doctors and nurses to develop a plan for safe nursing home visitation. Members of the team are experts in infectious disease control, skilled nursing, and other types of long-term care settings.
Ohio's existing visitation order does allow compassionate care visits. Examples of compassionate care situations could include:
• A resident who was living with their family before recently being admitted to a home, is struggling with the change in environment and lack of physical family support.
• A resident who needs cueing and encouragement with eating or drinking, previously provided by family or caregiver(s), is experiencing weight loss or dehydration.
• A resident, who used to talk and interact with others, is experiencing emotional distress, seldom speaking, or crying more frequently.

The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is available to assist citizens with questions about compassionate care visits. The office can be reached at [email protected] or 1-800-282-1206.

02/18/2021

New Enrollment Window Opens for Health Insurance Shoppers

Health insurance shoppers stuck in a bad plan or unable to find coverage have a new option for help. A sign-up window opened Monday for government insurance markets and runs through May 15...

02/18/2021

At least 34 states have passed laws that have shielded nursing homes — along with other health providers and private businesses — from lawsuits over coronavirus deaths and infections during the pandemic, citing unforeseen challenges and economic hardships. Ohio passed its own legislation in September 2020.

Because a new Ohio law that shields businesses from civil liability related to COVID-19 provides narrow protections, employers should continue to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration, state and local guidance to demonstrate reasonable protective measures, says Jeffrey Smith at Fisher...

02/11/2021

In you are a Veteran and planning on getting the vaccine through the VA, the VA has set up a platform for you and your caregivers at

We’re working to get COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans as quickly and safely as possible based on CDC guidelines and available supply. Stay informed and help us prepare.