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KDADS Posts FY24 HCBS Rates
Please click here for a list of the HCBS rates across all waivers that will go into effect July 1, 2023.
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Focus MDS Update of the Week
Since their release on April 3, 2023, the final MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11v2 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 were updated. For the next few weeks, AHCA will be focusing on a different section to highlight changes and what members need to know.
Changes to Section B
- Incorporation of the Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements (SPADES).
- Health Literacy, which allows for standardized data collection across all health care settings.
AHCA has created an MDS Section B resource document to help providers understand the changes. The information in the resource document outlines key changes to MDS Section B, Coding Instructions/RAI Guidelines for each item, and Actions to Consider for implementation across a facility.
It is important that facilities develop a training plan to ensure all staff impacted by the changes are well versed in them.
Additional Resources:
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Supreme Court Upholds Resident Right to Sue Publicly Owned SNFs
In a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday morning ruled that nursing home residents and their families can sue publicly owned nursing home facilities under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act. READ MORE
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CMS Urging Hospitals To Revamp SNF Discharge Process
Skilled Nursing News (6/7, Stulick) reports, "As hospital advocates criticize low reimbursements to nursing homes and home health, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is bearing down on hospitals to revamp their discharge process when releasing patients to SNFs." The agency, "citing areas of concern related to missing or inaccurate patient information upon discharge...is requiring that hospitals have an effective planning process for this transition in care." In a memo, "CMS suggested hospitals review several resources to improve discharge policies and procedures, including a ‘re-engineered’ discharge toolkit, collaborating with SNFs to standardize a process, and conduct case reviews of previous discharges to improve outcomes of future transitions in care." The American Hospital Association "submitted a letter this week to CMS on the SNF proposed payment rule, calling for higher reimbursements to SNFs." AHA’s "recommendations fall in line with suggestions from the" AHCA/NCAL "to rethink how the payment rule is calculated."
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AHCA/NCAL To Present 2023 Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Award To Two Honorees
HealthLeaders Media (6/8, 118K) reports that during AHCA/NCAL’s "Annual Congressional Briefing event this week, the organizations will present an advocacy award to two honorees." HMG Health care Government Relations Director Leticia Caballero and Marquis Limited Founder and President and Tryko Partners’ Health care Division Principal/Partner Norman Rokeach "will be recognized as recipients of the 2023 Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Award." This "award is given to AHCA/NCAL members who work directly to educate members of Congress about the issues and needs of long-term and post-acute care and patients, and how to advance quality care." AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson said, "I applaud all of these providers for taking this important first step in their quality journey. ... The work that they have accomplished lays the groundwork to continue to improve the lives of the individuals who live and work in long-term care."
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NEXT WEEK: KCAL District 1 Round Table
Thursday, June 15, 2023
1:30PM - 3:00PM
Mission Chateau Assisted Living
4100 W 85th Street
Prairie Village, KS 66206
(Enter on the North Side)
Located on the west side of Mission Road, a block south of Corinth Square.
Assisted Living Round Table with Kansas Center for Assisted Living Board Members and KHCA/KCAL President/CEO Linda MowBray
Includes all Assisted Living, Home Plus, and Residential Health Care Communities in Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte Counties.
If you plan to attend this meeting, please RSVP to Teresa Keating by emailing tkeating@khca.org. Please indicate your name, what community you are with, and a phone number where you can be reached. You will then be sent a calendar invite.
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Over 500 Long Term Care Professionals Gathered For AHCA/NCAL’s Congressional Briefing
HealthLeaders Media (6/5, Ray, 118K) reports that "more than 500 long-term and post-acute care professionals gathered on Capitol Hill" on Monday for AHCA/NCAL’s annual Congressional Briefing. This "weeklong event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill beginning Tuesday, June 6." Along with "presenting issues in long-term and post-acute care to legislators, they will also hear from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington." AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson said in a statement, "It is crucial that we share our story with members of Congress, so it is amazing to see so many of our members here in D.C. this week to do exactly that." Moreover, AHCA Chair Phil Fogg said, "We must share the meaningful and vital work we do in providing quality care to millions of Americans, the hurdles in place that make caring for our residents more difficult, and the need for policymakers to invest in our seniors and their caregivers."
McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (6/6, Marselas) reports the attendees on Tuesday will "try to head off a minimum staffing rule and win support for legislation that could make recruiting and training workers easier." During his opening remarks Monday, "Parkinson said providers were well positioned to argue the improvements they had made during the pandemic and convince lawmakers to more seriously consider the legislative and financial support they need." Fogg also "encouraged providers to look forward to what he predicts will be better times after another two- to three-year slog." Meanwhile, on Monday, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) offered support in fighting the federal staffing mandate.
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Regional VP for Recover Care - Anthony Johnson and NCAL's Future Leader, Brett Pu of Village Shalom. |
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NCAL's Future Leader, Brett Pu of Village Shalom, Regional VP for Recover Care - Anthony Johnson, VP of National Accounts at Medline Industries, Inc. - John Cervino, KHCA/KCAL President/CEO - Linda MowBray, VP of Operations for Axiom HealthCare Services - Brian Barbeau. |
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KHCA/KCAL's VP of Operations and Education, Polly Berkley with NCAL's Future Leader, Brett Pu of Village Shalom. |
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KHCA/KCAL's VP of Operations and Education - Polly Berkley, US Congressman - Jake LaTurner (Representing the 2nd District of KS), VP of National Accounts at Medline Industries, Inc. - John Cervino, VP of Operations for Axiom HealthCare Services - Brian Barbeau. |
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AHCA Prepared To Take Legal Action Against Federal Staffing Mandate
McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (6/7, Marselas) reports AHCA Government Relations Senior Vice President Clif Porter "said Tuesday his group is prepared to take legal action if an upcoming federal staffing mandate proves to be overly prescriptive." Over 500 AHCA/NCAL members gathered in Washington, DC "this week for meetings with their Congressional representatives," and "most were asking for support in making sure the staffing rule, details of which have still not been made public, offers a reasonable chance of compliance." Porter said, "If it’s going to be bad, the question is how bad. I think we’ve shaped the ‘how bad,’ but we’re still going to need to work on fixing it." Meanwhile, on Tuesday, "AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson and several providers beseeched lawmakers for solutions that would lead to a pipeline of workers, rather than a punitive measure that might increase burnout among existing workers who would be stretched too thin."
Skilled Nursing News (6/6, Siddiqi) reports other industry leaders "sounded alarms over the possibility of a minimum staffing rule at the conclusion of their meeting with policy makers Tuesday." Parkinson added, "I know that the folks that want to do this are well-intentioned, but the results will be the opposite of what they want. Seniors will not be benefited. They will be hurt because access will decline."
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Infection Control Pathway Updated to Reflect End of Staff Vaccine Requirement
This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated the Infection Control Critical Element pathway related to the end of the Healthcare Provider Vaccine Mandate announced May 31, 2023. The pathway was updated to remove all surveyor guidance related to F888 (Staff Vaccine).
Surveyors are advised to verify compliance with requirements for educating and offering COVID-19 immunization only. All other areas regarding staff COVID vaccines were removed from the pathway. The Entrance Conference form was also updated to remove all staff vaccine requirements. The Entrance Conference form removed the need for facilities to maintain a vaccine matrix. Facilities are reminded to continue to document vaccine education to both residents and staff.
There is also a change unrelated to the vaccine update. Under "Instructions" for the Interim LTCSP Initial Survey and Certification Process, facilities that are not yet certified should still complete minimum data set (MDS) assessments, despite not being able to submit them until the facility is certified.
The Final Rule was added to the Federal Register, as expected. The rule becomes effective on August 4, 2023.
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Webinar: Long-Term Care Antimicrobial Stewardship: Focused Initiatives Targeting Common Infections & Disease Scenarios
This Antimicrobial Stewardship Webinar Series for Long-Term Care (LTC) & Communal Living settings will be with Dr. Wark on the following Thursdays from 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (3rd Thursday of the month).
Session #1 - June 15, 2023
Session #2 - July 20, 2023
Session #3 - August 17, 2023
Session #4 - September 21, 2023
Session #5 - October 19, 2023
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MDS - RAI Changes Workshop
6/12/2023 9:00AM - 4:00PM
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Nurse Leadership Conference
6/13/2023 11:00AM - 6/14/2023 4:00PM
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Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.25 Quality of Care Requirements
6/13/2023 1:30PM - 3:00PM
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Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Helps and Hints for Housekeeping
6/27/2023 1:30PM - 2:30PM
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6 Week Series: Restorative Nursing Excellence: Revitalizing Programs and Restoring Function After COVID-19
Every Thursday from June 22-July 27 from 1:30PM - 2:30PM
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Adult Care Home Operators Course
7/12/2023 9:00AM - 7/24/2023 10:00AM
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Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
We are excited to announce our new AIT Program! Click here for more details.
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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
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