June 30, 2022
KHCA/KCAL is committed to providing our members with important updates. Below is a list of the most recent information. Please visit our website for a list of complete updates. www.khca.org/covid-19-resources
The Latest News
KMAP Publishes 2023 HCBS Rates 

After much anticipation, KMAP has released the new rates and codes for HCBS waiver programs. Of special note, we anticipated that the FE waive for assisted living/Home Plus would move from $4.49 to $4.94. In fact, the new rate is $5.04. READ MORE
CMS Releases Revised Nursing Home Surveyor Guidance

CMS has issued QSO-22-19-NH, which includes new and updated surveyor guidance for the following areas:
  • Phase 2 and 3 Requirements: Clarifications and technical corrections of Phase 2 guidance issued in 2017; and new guidance for Phase 3 requirements, which became effective November 28, 2019. 
  • Arbitration Requirements: Guidance on the new requirements, which became effective September 16, 2019. 
  • Complaint and Facility Reported Incidents (FRIs): CMS revised the guidance in Chapter 5 and related exhibits of the State Operations Manual (SOM) to strengthen the oversight of nursing home complaints and FRIs. CMS also revised its guidance for all Medicare-certified provider/supplier types to improve consistency across the State agencies in their communication to complainants. 
  • Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide: CMS revised guidance to clarify the reasonable person concept and examples across the different severity levels. 

CMS has released an advance copy of the Appendix PP, SOM Chapter 5, and the Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide. The agency is also publicly posting training on these changes for surveyors and the public at the Quality, Safety, and Education Portal. 

Surveyors will begin using this guidance to identify non-compliance on October 24, 2022. AHCA has advocated to CMS to give facilities time to review and update existing systems and processes where needed when new guidance is released.  

AHCA will review this new and updated guidance in detail over the coming weeks and will share resources to assist members. READ MORE
Who has inspired you this year?


Recognize a worthy individual by nominating them for ​an AHCA/NCAL Award before the deadline on July 1, 2022. ​​​AHCA/NCAL members are strongly encouraged to nominate those in their community who go above and beyond to provide exceptional service in the long term care profession.

Only completed nominations for both ACHA and NCAL awards will be considered. Honorees will be recognized at AHCA/NCAL's 73rd Annual Convention and & Expo in Nashville October 9-12, 2022. READ MORE
Important Information regarding the use of GenBody Tests

Attached is a document with links to training and tips for using GenBody tests that may be helpful for your facility. Also included is the correspondence we received regarding the FDA authorized shelf life extension for the tests delivered to these facilities. The earliest expiration date for the tests shipped to facilities is now July 9, 2023. Facilities should check the lot numbers on the tests they’ve received and update the expiration dates accordingly. 
2022-23 PEAK Advisory Group Members

PEAK is excited to announce the 2022-23 PEAK Advisory Group members. Their appointment officially starts July 1, 2022.
 
Congratulations to the highlighted KHCA members that will serve the 2022-23 PEAK Advisory Group.
 
Here is a list of the full team members:

Returning Members:
Renee Porter, Dooley Center
Sue Brenner, Leonardville Nursing Home
Melinda Keever, Anew Healthcare
 
New Members:
Camille Russell, State Ombudsman
Chris Osborn, Evergreen Retirement Community
Jeana Poulter, The Nicol Home
Chelsie Helberg, High Plains Retirement Village
Daphne McTaugue, Cheyenne County Village
Jared Holroyd, Topeka Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare
Katie Ross, Region 5 Ombudsman
Kristen Mattox-Graham, Elmhaven East
Lori Palmer, Medicalodges, Inc.
Teresa Woods, Attica Long Term Care
 
Leadership:
Trescia Power, KDADS
Laci Cornelison, KSU- PEAK Coordinator
 
Support Members:
Judy Miller, PEAK consultant
Jackie Sump, PEAK consultant
 
We are excited about the new mix of providers and Ombudsmen joining the team. The leaving group has made a huge impact on the program including the revisions, which will release in 2023 and a PCC conference in October (detail released soon). This new group gets to carry out the work the leaving group started and make new goals. A big congratulations to the oncoming members.
In Case You Missed It

As of March 27, an estimated 91% of nursing home staff nationwide have received the required Covid-19 doses, 56% have received a booster dose and only 6% were granted a religious exemption in response to the health care worker vaccine mandate. READ MORE
A reminder that 2023 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award applications are available. The program year has opened early to give providers the extra time to prepare and complete applications. If you have not already done so, take the first step and download and review materials. The program provides a pathway to improved outcomes in areas including care, workforce, leadership and operations. Learn more and start today. Click here to learn more.
Education Spotlight
This 8-week webinar series runs August-September 2022 and focuses on skill
building for serving effectively as the Director of Nursing with emphasis on
effective leadership and staff engagement, nursing operations and systems
of care for common conditions treated in the LTC setting.

Discussion will include:
• Survey readiness & avoiding frequently cited deficiencies
• HR management
• Staff training/competency
• Risk Management
• QAPI activities targeting QM areas
• Fundamentals of reimbursement
• MDS oversight
• Promoting 5-Star quality.
Upcoming Education
Webinar: How Are You Feeling? Mastering Emotional Intelligence

7/13/22 2:00PM-3:30PM
Joint Provider Fire Marshal Training - Topeka

7/13/22 8:00AM-5:00PM
Joint Provider Fire Marshal Training - Wichita/Livestream

7/14/22 8:00AM-5:00PM
Assisted Living FCS, NSA and HSP Lunch and Learn

3 spots remain!

Topeka, KS
7/15/2022 12:00PM-4:00PM
Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Adept Antibiotic Stewardship for the Infection Preventionist

Topeka, KS
7/19/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
Webinar: Documentation for Social Services

Topeka, KS
7/26/2022 2:00PM-3:15PM
Kansas Health Care Association and the Kansas Center for Assisted Living
1100 SW Gage Blvd. | PO Box 4770 | Topeka, KS 66604
PH: 785-267-6003 FAX: 785-267-0833