CMS announced they are preparing to release the Internet Quality Improvement Evaluation System (iQIES) for Minimum Data Set (MDS) submission in early 2023. Although the MDS submission functionality will not be available immediately, CMS encourages Provider Security Officials (PSOs) to request access to iQIES as soon as possible, as doing so will allow for a smoother transition prior to the go live date. At a minimum, at least one PSO needs to be selected, but CMS highly recommends that at least two PSOs are designated so that there is a higher likelihood that there will be someone available to approve/reject iQIES access requests. Nursing homes and Swing Beds in CMS Region 7 (which includes Missouri) should onboard their Provider Security Officials October 31, 2022 through November 11, 2022. The onboarding of other nursing home and swing bed hospital staff can begin on November 15, 2022.

Harp Help: https://harp.cms.gov/login/help

The KMAP website has been updated with the following updates:

In keeping with current policy and procedures, the Home Health Agency Fee-for-Service Manual has been updated on the KMAP website.

Click here to find Request for Proposal 2022-078 that has been issued for Evergreen Living Innovations.

Constituents or potential interested parties may access the Request for Proposal at https://jocogov.ionwave.net.

Interested parties must register in order to submit a response, however, those not interested in responding may still access the documents using the “Current Bids” link on the login screen.

Questions may be directed to Robin Lynes. (913) 715-0596 or Robin.Lynes@jocogov.org

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REMINDER! INTENT TO APPLY

If you haven’t already, be sure to submit your Intent to Apply for AHCA/NCAL’s 2023 National Quality Award year. Members who plan to apply for a 2023 National Quality Award can submit an ITA to automatically save money on their overall application fee in January. No paperwork is needed. READ MORE

AHCA sent a letter today to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, requesting an extension of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). With public health officials anticipating a surge of cases this fall and winter, extending the PHE will ensure that long term care and other health care providers have the necessary resources to continue providing quality care to our nation’s most vulnerable citizens. READ MORE

Virginia-based freelance writer Paul Bergeron writes in Provider Magazine (11/1, 151K), "​Employing and retaining staff at long term care (LTC) facilities continues to be a challenge with nursing shortages, leading to potentially lower staff morale from more challenging workload and insufficient nurse-to-resident ratios." While "many LTC companies are at their wit’s end over the situation," Bergeron says "others are thinking creatively to help develop more certified nursing assistants," highlighting the efforts of multiple company officials across the US. 

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (11/2, Marselas) reports, "Calling work on nursing home transparency one of her agency’s ‘particular achievements’ of the past few months, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services leader said Tuesday that providers can expect the agency to act on research arising from the latest datasets." Deputy CMS Administrator and Center for Program Integrity Director Dara Corrigan said, "To enhance the overall nursing home safety and quality and to ensure compliance with the Biden/Harris administration’s executive order on promoting competition, CMS continues to make more data publicly available than ever before." These remarks "came as part of a wide-ranging CMS stakeholder call held Tuesday in conjunction with the start of Medicare open enrollment season. Much of the conversation revolved around behavioral health, value-based payments and other cross-sector strategies the agency is pursuing." 

Phase 3 of The Long Term Care Survey manual includes all the updates from CMS' three-phase implementation.

A limited number will be available for sale at the Joint Provider Surveyor Training.

Learn more about updates to this important resource and place your order today! 

E-mail Jennafer Sumner with desired quantity.

Do you need an Elder Justice Act or Resident Rights Poster for your Facility? We’re here for you.  $15 for one, $25 for two or $35 for three. E-mail Kristin Plantz your needs!

A limited number will be available for sale at the Joint Provider Surveyor Training.

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Access the new learning platform by clicking here. 

Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.

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