December 1, 2022
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The Latest News
Biden Nursing Home Agenda Progresses as Industry Prepares for 2023

For the nursing home industry, 2022 will go down as a historic year, in no small part because the Biden administration announced a comprehensive list of nursing home reforms. READ MORE
NCAL Urges Lawmakers To Back Measure Expanding Veterans’ Access To Assisted Living

McKnight’s Senior Living (12/1, Bonvissuto) reports the National Center for Assisted Living participated in "a grassroots ‘Day of Action’ on Wednesday to urge lawmakers to support a bill expanding veterans’ access to assisted living." Together with three other trade groups, NCAL "sent a joint letter to House and Senate leaders of various Veterans Affairs committees, as well as bill sponsors, to reinforce their desire for passage of the bill during the lame duck legislative session." That measure "would create a small pilot program to offer eligible veterans who participate the option to have their care needs met in an assisted living community instead of at a Department of Veterans Affairs state home." 
Tips for Successful IDR/IIDR

The IDR process gives nursing homes one informal opportunity to dispute cited deficiencies after any survey of Federal requirements for participation. Facilities are also provided the opportunity to request and participate in an Independent IDR if CMS imposes civil money penalties against the facility and these penalties are subject to being collected and placed in an escrow account pending a final administrative decision. With either of these processes, facilities must understand the Federal Requirements outlined in 42 C.F.R. §488.331 and 488.431 to make sure that they adhere to these directives and understand when they can and cannot dispute cited deficiencies. READ MORE

For a deeper dive into the IDR/IIDR process register for our December 6th webinar.
Congress may give providers 2-year relief on CMS physician fee cuts

Congress appears to be ready to soften proposed Medicare physician pay cuts and might make its aid good for two years instead of one, the executive vice president of Advion told McKnight’s Long-Term Care News Wednesday. READ MORE
A Publication from the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal: The Trumpet

In this issue:
  • Safety Concerns, Power Strips
  • Dangers of Carbon Monoxide in Daycares
  • Keeping Nursing Homes Safe this Winter

Click here for more details.
𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿—𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 (𝗥𝗔𝗖-𝗖𝗧®) 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 - NEXT WEEK!

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 that you are a knowledgeable and capable MDS professional.
In Case You Missed It
HCBS Final Settings Rule Public Comments Notification - Nov. 29 - Dec. 29, 2022

The time to comment on the HCBS final Settings Rule is here! Comments will be accepted through December 29, 2022. READ MORE
NSHN Up to Date Vaccination Status: Surveillance Definition Change for LTC Facilities

The CDC held a webinar recently regarding up to date vaccination status. The definition of up to date was updated in September 2022 to indicate: 

  • Individuals are considered up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines during the surveillance period of September 26, 2022 – December 25, 2022 (Quarter 4) for the purpose of NHSN surveillance if they meet ONE the following criteria: ​
  • Received their last booster dose less than 2 months ago, or 
  • Completed their primary series less than 2 months ago 
  • This definition is the same regardless of immunocompromised status ​

As of September 2, 2022, the original monovalent mRNA vaccines are no longer authorized as a booster dose for people ages 12 years and older. 

Beginning September 26, 2022, most individuals should only be counted as up to date if they received an updated bivalent booster dose. If they have not received an updated bivalent booster dose, they WOULD NOT be counted in question #5. The CDC recommends revising the report if facilities have reported incorrectly over the last few weeks.  

It is recommended to utilize the Person-Level (Event-Level) Vaccination Forms. There are resources on the page to provide instructions and templates for reporting, including a one-page overview with links. 

The webinar slides​ have additional information and reporting scenarios for clarification. 
Where is your McKnight’s email?

Recently McKnight’s has made a change in their email distribution service which has created issues with delivery to many providers. If you are no longer receiving your daily trade publication of McKnight’s via email, please email Polly Berkley as we are working directly with McKnight’s to get the issue resolved.
Upcoming Education
Webinar: Survey Success! Avoiding Top Citations. Post Survey Activities: Developing Effective Plan of Correction & IDR

12/6/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Astute Survey Preparedness & Application of Infection Control Regulatory Requirements

12/20/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course

2/15/2023 9am 2/28/2023 3pm

Click here for more details.
Looking for options for required Staff In-Service?

KHCA’s online learning platform is BACK! We’ve loaded the in-services for SNF and for AL first. Many more education sessions to come.

Access the new learning platform by clicking here. 

Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
Two Webinar Series Coming to you in 2023!
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