December 8, 2023
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The Latest News
In Case You Missed Yesterday's Breaking News for HCBS Providers

I believe that we have the EVV/AuthentiCare issue resolved. I have verbal confirmation from EVV Project Consultant- Senior Project Manager that in his opinion, their team missed the exemption for our adult care homes that we fought so hard for in 2011 and 2012. Click here for the “About EVV" bulletin that exempts us. The take away is this: READ MORE

Update since yesterday's notice: We are expecting an official notice by Friday, December 15, 2023. I have had a few more emails affirming our position but nothing any more official than what we already know.
Changes to Civil Money Penalties (CMP): Waiver of Hearing, Reduction of Penalty Amount (§ 488.436)

In this rule, we are streamlining an administrative procedure for CMS by adopting a constructive waiver process that will consider a facility to have waived its hearing when CMS does not receive a request for a hearing within the requisite timeframe. The accompanying 35% penalty reduction would remain unchanged, though CMS is committing to review the appropriateness of this policy and the reduction amount in the future. This revision will reduce the administrative burden for CMS and allow the agency to shift resources toward bolstering other oversight and enforcement activities, including providing additional focus on nursing home compliance.

The final rule can be downloaded from the Federal Register by clicking here. 
LTC & Child Care Connection: Follow Up

Adult Care Home Administrators and Operators:

Did you know? Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services have a partnership that promotes the development of licensed child care programs in adult care homes while maintaining equitable standards in health, safety and services for both children and adults.
 
Become part of the child care solution in Kansas while increasing opportunities for your staff and residents. If you want to explore opportunities for your community and program, information on next steps can be found here. KDHE looks forward to hearing from you!
CMS Outlines New Survey Testing, MDS Changes for Nursing Homes in 2024

Minimum Data Set (MDS) changes for 2024, along with updates to nursing home surveys were top of mind among representatives of CMS on Thursday, as the agency outlined its plans for next year in an Open Door Forum. READ MORE
1 in 8 older adults use cannabis; experts urge screening

Cannabis use in older adults is on the rise and clinicians should screen for it, according to a new study. A report on people ages 50 through 80 finds that 12% of older adults say they’ve consumed a substance that contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the past year. Additionally, 4% of people in that age group say they have substances that include THC multiple times a week. THC is the part of the cannabis plant that can affect a person’s mental state. READ MORE
Are you a current AIT Preceptor or are you interested in becoming one?    
 
If you are a current Preceptor we would love to have you on our list. Please contact Teresa with your Preceptor number at tkeating@khca.org. Are you interested in becoming an AIT Preceptor and shaping the future of the profession?  Our team is happy to walk you through that process. Click here for the KDADS information and give Teresa a call at 785-267-6003.
In Case You Missed It
KDADS Promotes Two on Leadership Team

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services promoted two people on the agency’s executive leadership team, Secretary Laura Howard announced Monday.

Andrew Brown, the department’s behavioral health services commissioner, has been promoted to deputy secretary for programs.

Brown will be responsible for the overall program services function of three commissions for the agency: long term services and supports, behavioral health services, and the new aging commission.

“As Behavioral Health Services Commissioner over the last four years, Andy has demonstrated the leadership ability to make progress on key systems changes in the behavioral health system, including implementation of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics model and leading the state’s 988 implementation,” Howard said in a news release. “I am confident he will bring the same strategic approach and strong relationship and partnership skills to this new role.”

Drew Adkins, behavioral health services assistant commissioner, will serve as interim behavioral health services commissioner.

“Drew’s promotion to Interim Commissioner leaves BHS in very competent hands,” Howard said. “Drew will quickly step in to continue to affect change and build on the impactful strategic work BHS is implementing.”
FY 2025 SNF VBP Program December 2023 Quarterly Reports are Now Available 

The December 2023 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program are now available to download via the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES).

These reports contain facility and stay-level data and results for the SNF 30-Day All-Cause Readmission Measure (SNFRM) for FY 2019, the FY 2025 SNF VBP Program baseline period. READ MORE
Interest In Telehealth Stays Strong In Skilled Nursing Sector Following COVID-19 Pandemic

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (12/5, Hall) reports that "during the height of the COVID pandemic, telehealth experienced prolific skilled nursing penetration – jumping from 5% of all facilities in 2019 to nearly 92% in 2020." Telehealth is still earning "accolades for promoting greater access to doctors and improving outcomes and patient satisfaction for everything from stroke rehab to dementia care." There is "also plenty of interest in telehealth’s potential to help fill the vacuum created by workforce shortages." 
Free Webinar: Elevating the Assisted Living Dining Experience for Less

NCAL and Incite Strategic Partners are hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, December 13 at 1 p.m. CST. This informative session focuses on raising assisted living dining excellence through smarter buying at the best prices and effective culinary practices. READ MORE
Education Spotlight
4 Week Series: Getting Together Meetings That Work

4 Week series (Every Wednesday for four weeks starting November 29-December 20 from 1:30 - 2:30)

Join us for a 4-week webinar series running from November to December 2023, focusing on skill-building for successful and productive team meetings. This series covers standards and content of effective and efficient facility meetings including: Daily clinical/stand up, UR/Medicare, Triple Check, Falls, Weight Loss/Nutrition at Risk, QAPI, Skin/ PU, Behavior and includes monitoring tools, video examples and policy templates.

November 29th: Daily Clinical and QAPI Meetings Mastery (it's not too late if you sign-up for the series you can still receive the recording)

Sign-up for one course or sign-up for the whole series!
Upcoming Education
Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.70 Administration Requirements

12/12/23 - 1:30PM-3:00PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Getting Together - Meeting That Work Series: Meetings that Go More Than Skin Deep – Pressure Ulcer/Skin and Weight Loss

12/13/23 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Customer Service Concepts for the Crew

12/19/23 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Getting Together - Meeting That Work Series: Getting to the Root Cause – Falls and Behavioral Health Meetings

12/20/23 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
RAC-CT Certification In-Person Workshop

1/29/2024 8:00AM - 1/31/2024 5:00PM

Click here for more details.
Administrator in Training (AIT) Program

Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.

Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org
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