Late Monday, Governor Laura Kelly announced her budget reconciliation allotments (cuts) for the FY2021 budget which begins today, July 1, 2020. Kansas nursing homes were not spared. (
Click here to view the Allotment Plan
) Instead of receiving the 1% increase July 1 that was published in the Kansas register May 21, 2020, we will be held to the June 30, 2020 rates. That means the base years will remain FY 16, 17, & 18. New rates will be published in the Register next Thursday. We do believe that your case mix index will be updated to reflect the 2 most recent blended quarters. We are awaiting verification from KDADS. Providers should have received an official notice from KDADS early this morning. Rate letters will be forthcoming.
KHCA staff continue to work with KDADS, the SPARK taskforce and the Governor’s office to provide relief to nursing home providers through the CARES Act funds. Our $20 dollar per Medicaid resident per day from March 13, 2020 for 120 was part of a CMS approved
state plan amendment
. The mechanics and the timing of the additional funds are part of the ongoing discussions with the administration.
Yesterday,
Tony Johnson (RecoverCare), Garen Cox (Medicalodges), Jim Klausman (Midwest Health), Stephen Duerst (Federico Consulting)
and I met in person (masked and socially distanced) with
Governor Laura Kelly
. The purpose of the meeting was to revisit immunity to liability for long term care providers, additional funding through the CARES Act and to share experiences and challenges that COVID-19 has presented to our profession. We were granted an unprecedented 45 minutes of open discussion. Typically, these meetings are 15 to 30 minutes at tops. I’m please to say that KHCA members were well represented and your message was well articulated. I look forward to continued interaction with the Governor’s office and feel that we have opened the door a little wider for understanding the tremendous strain this profession is under. Also participating in the meeting were
Tim Graham
Director of Governmental Affairs, KDADS Secretary
Laura Howard
and Special Liaison to KDADS
Kathy Greenlee
.
