September 19, 2017
Volume I, Issue 2
In this edition:
-Breaking News
-Money Matters
-Coming Down the Pike
-Follow-up to August
-ACT Senior Living
    Consulting Services

Spotlight
The leaders and team members of ACT contributed to our communities during the past three months through fundraising efforts that benefited the following:   YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, St. Jude's, and Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief.









WEST VIRGINIA
Charleston
304.346.0441 | 800.642.3601
Bridgeport
304.624.5471 | 866.624.5471
Buckhannon
304.472.5550 | 800.924.0729
Morgantown
304.225.6000 | 866.624.5471

PENNSYLVANIA
New Castle
724.658.1565 | 800.452.3003
Pittsburgh
412.635.6270 | 800.452.3003
Meadville
814.336.2133 | 800.452.3003

OHIO
Columbus
614.223.9209 | 800.642.3601
Breaking News

On September 12, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) offered clarification about the requirements for notification to the State LTC Ombudsman for transfers and discharges: 

  1. Resident initiated discharges do NOT require notification to the Ombudsman. This includes discharge according to plans made upon admission or during the stay. 
  2. Facility initiated transfers or discharges require Ombudsman notification. This includes all unplanned transfers or discharges, even emergency room visits. 
  • Transfers that are facility initiated due to non-payment and other issues not considered emergent require the facility to make Ombudsman notification when it occurs (at the same time notice is provided to the resident or responsible party).
  • Transfers to the emergency room, or other unplanned transfers for treatment outside of the facility may be compiled into a list containing the required information and submitted monthly to the Ombudsman.

Legionella - The CMS released a Survey & Certification (S&C) Memo on June 2, 2017, addressing expectations of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) in regard to Legionella. Facilities are required to conduct a risk assessment and have a water management program. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a toolkit that can successfully guide you through the process. Requirements are effective immediately. 

Money Matters

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act ( MACRA ) of 2015 requires the removal of Social Security Numbers (SSNs) from all Medicare cards by April 2019. A new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) will replace the SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) on the new Medicare cards for Medicare transactions like billing, eligibility status, and claim status. The transition period for shifting to the new MBIs will begin in April of 2018. Providers should stay up-to-date on the progress to ensure compliance and prevent billing issues.

Coming Down the Pike

CMS has developed new Emergency Preparedness Training which is available on-demand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Emergency Preparedness Basic Surveyor Training Course is a required course for surveyors; however, non-survey professionals and others responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations are also encouraged to take the course. Surveying under the new requirements begins November 15, 2017. Interested parties may self-register and self-launch the course on the Integrated Surveyor Training Website . For additional information, please see the CMS notification Admin Info: 17-24-ALL .

Follow-up to August

The CMS released a SNF Review and Correct Reports training video. A video recording of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Review and Correct Reports Refresher webinar, which took place on Monday, August 7, 2017, is now available. The focus of the webinar is to provide additional training and guidance on how Review and Correct Reports fit within the overall SNF QRP. Additionally, the training provides information on timelines and quarterly submission deadlines.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgs6Ho0CVkg&feature=youtu.be

  ACT Senior Living Consulting Services

The seasoned consultants with ACT's Senior Living Consulting (SLC) team can provide valuable resources to ensure you are compliant with the changes necessary due to the updated CMS Requirements of Participation. Our team members have conducted multiple readiness assessments to identify the areas facilities need to focus on to achieve compliance. We work collaboratively with the facility team to develop resources and roll-out systems that fit the unique needs of individual centers while promoting success. 

To contact us to determine how we can meet your needs, email us at ACTSLConsultants@actcpas.com.
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