May 10, 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
"Thanks" will never be enough. Know that each and everyone of you are truly appreciated for all that you do! We hope you have an excellent week!
CMS Daily Digest Bulletin

Join CMS for a Stakeholder Call on the Medicare Coverage Policy for Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against Amyloid for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease - Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 10:00 AM CT 

Click here for more details.
HRSA PRF Reporting Extensions for Periods 1 & 2 for Providers in Extenuating Circumstances

HRSA sent out a notice regarding a limited opportunity for recipients of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments who are out of compliance with their reporting requirements. READ MORE
In Case You Missed It
NHSN users received an email from the CDC updating them on changes coming

On April 29th, NHSN users received an email from the CDC updating them on changes coming to NHSN in the month of May. AHCA reached out to NHSN last week to ask about a date that this will go into effect, and at this point CDC thinks that it will be around May 16th or so. NHSN will send out another notification when the changes have been made in NHSN.

The changes that are to be expected include:
  • Removal of Supplies and PPE Pathway - no longer need to report to this pathway
  • Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Pathway and the Staff and Personnel Impact Pathway data elements removed include:
  • OCOVID-19 test type
  • Vaccine Manufacturer
  • COVID-19 re-infections
  • Other respiratory illnesses
  • Possible addition is the expansion of vaccination status for booster doses and a simplified PPE shortage question.

CDC will be hosting webinars to go over the updates, but the dates of the trainings have not yet been announced.
FDA Limits Use of Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine to Certain Individuals

The FDA has published an important press release limiting Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine use. The Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine now reflects the revision of the authorized use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. It includes a warning statement at the beginning of the fact sheet for prominence, which summarizes information on the risk for TTS. Additionally, information on the revision to the authorized use of the vaccine and updated information on the risk of blood clots with low levels of blood platelets have been added to the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers. KDHE encourages all providers to carefully review and follow the updated EUA immediately when Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine is being considered.
A Message From the Office of the State Fire Marshal

Nuclear Exposure Emergency Plans

Click here for more details.
Getting Started with Adult Dental Benefits

Oral Health Kansas is finally put Medicaid dental services for adults over the finish line this year! The next step in the journey to getting Medicaid dental services in place for adults is working with KDHE to design the benefit package that will be available. All services cannot be included at first, but Oral Health Kansas wants to advocate to include the services that are most needed by Kansans. 
 
Please help advocate for the services that are most important to you and your constituents. Share your experience and suggestions in this short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/823KGCB
A message from your Acting HHS Regional Director, CAPT Scott Conner
A little about what we do in the Office of the Regional Director:
Our office is your "front door to HHS" -- we are here for you, answering your questions and providing you resources.

We engage in meaningful dialogues with governors, mayors, tribal leaders, and partners like you about HHS regulations, policies, and programs. 

And we are achieving the Biden-Harris Administration's goals, namely: tackling COVID-19, reducing health care costs and expanding access, and addressing health disparities and inequities, to name a few. 

In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to continuing our efforts together to build a better, healthier America.
Education Spotlight
RAC-CT Certification Workshop (In Person)
Topeka, KS
6/1/2022 8:30am - 6/3/2022 5pm

Increase your knowledge of clinical assessment and care planning, completion of the MDS, the regulations surrounding the RAI/MDS process, and managing the PDPM by attending an AAPACN Resident Assessment Coordinator-Certified (RAC-CT) certification workshop. Having the RAC-CT credential behind your name shows you are a knowledgeable and capable MDS professional. RAC-CT certification is the nationally recognized gold-standard in resident assessment in the long-term care nursing profession. By earning this credential, individuals have shown their expertise in skilled nursing facility prospective payment system and minimum data set (MDS 3.0) assessment. Click here for more details.
Upcoming Education
Webinar: MDS Mastermind Series: Becoming an MDS Genius: Rooting out Common Coding Errors

5/11/22 from 1:30PM - 2:30PM
Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Conducting Skillful IPC Program Surveillance

5/17/22 from 1:30PM - 2:30PM
Webinar: MDS Mastermind Series: Masterly Assessment and Reporting of Self-Care and Mobility

5/18/22 from 1:30PM - 2:30PM
Webinar: MDS Mastermind Series: Becoming a CAA and Care Planning Maestro

5/25/22 from 1:30PM - 2:30PM
AAPACN RAC-CT Certification - In Person

Topeka, KS
6/1 - 6/3/22 from 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Nurse Leadership Conference - In Person

Manhattan, KS
6/14/2022 11AM - 6/15/2022 3:30PM
QAPI for Assisted Living - Lunch and Learn - In Person

Topeka, KS
6/14/2022 11AM - 6/15/2022 3:30PM
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