This message contains confidential information and is intended only for KHCA/KCAL membership. Dissemination, distribution or copying the contents of this email beyond this group is strictly prohibited. |
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Membership Reminder: As a reminder, the renewal deadline for your KHCA/KCAL membership is March 31st. We strive to give you a highly-valued return on your dues investment, and we look forward to serving you in the year ahead.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your membership status, please contact Kristin Plantz kplantz@khca.org.
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Did you miss yesterday’s CMS Stakeholders call?
These articles sum it up nicely and include links with details about what waivers will end.
McKnight's LTC News: CMS Still Weighing Data Related To Time Requirements For Staffing Mandate, Official Says
Skilled Nursing News: CMS Officials Confirm End of PHE Nursing Home Waivers, Barring Congressional Action
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Attention HCBS Providers – March 17, 2023 is almost here. Are you Ready?
Here is a follow up on the recent webinar CMS held titled "Medicaid Home and community Based Services Setting Regulation: Fitting the Pieces Together".
If you missed it, here are a few notes.
- CMS is on track to implement the HCBS Final Rule on March 17, 2023
- Currently there are 11 states that will be going live with the full regulations on that date.
- There are still 40 states that have either already submitted a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) or plan to do so.
- CMS stated they are in almost daily communications with states who still need to submit a CAP.
- If a state does not follow through with their CAP by submitting one or it expires with no action, the states are at risk of CMS compliance action and withholding federal funds.
- Any facility that is in a heightened scrutiny status will continue to receive waiver funds as long as they continue to work towards meeting the CMS criteria. States are the ones left to this monitoring and communication with CMS.
- In the Q & A portion of the webinar, CMS clearly stated that basically March 17, 2023 the Statewide Transition Plans (STP) "go away" and are melded into each states waiver plan and the CAP will be the bridge after March 17.
CMS will continue to keep their website updated with each state's activity and you'll start seeing changes as the column for STP Status will go away and the CAP column will have more information. Statewide Transition Plans
Medicaid - Statewide Transition Plans
This table provides all available documents related to Statewide Transition Plans (STP), HCBS settings corrective action plans (CAP) for compliance with the settings criteria, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) determinations of heightened scrutiny reviews. The table is updated as states and the CMS submit additional documents. View this on Medicaid
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PEAK Enroll Now
Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes (PEAK), a senior living program administered by Kansas State University's Center on Aging for the state of Kansas, is seeking new facilities for enrollment in its 2024 fiscal year program. The deadline to register is April 15, 2023. READ MORE
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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.
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Concerns Raised Over State Responses To Nursing Home Compliance With COVID-19 Vaccine Health Care Mandate
Skilled Nursing News (2/21, Grebbin) reports, "Some states are coming under fire for failing to cite nursing homes for violations of the vaccine mandate for staff." Roughly "750 nursing homes and 110 hospitals nationwide were written up for violating federal staff vaccination rules during the past year, according to an Associated Press analysis of" CMS data. But "three states – Florida, Kansas, and Texas – declined to check staff for vaccination violations, leaving that process to" CMS. AHCA/NCAL Quality, Regulatory, and Clinical Affairs Senior Vice President Holly Harmon said, "While the federal COVID vaccine mandate for staff was applied to nearly all health care sectors, nursing homes still lost thousands of workers soon after the mandate went into effect." Harmon continued, "Our focus around COVID vaccines remains on encouraging the long term care community, especially our residents since they are most susceptible to severe illness, to be up to date on their vaccinations."
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Unwinding the PHE Continuous Eligibility Period
On February 15, 2023, KDHE submitted to CMS the state’s plan for unwinding from the PHE continuous eligibility period. A copy of that plan is available on the KanCare website, www.kancare.ks.gov
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Owner of collapsed Skyline chain close to plea agreement with federal prosecutors: report
The former head of a nursing home empire that grew quickly and crumbled even more quickly is close to reaching a plea deal with federal prosecutors that would cover all pending criminal charges.
Joseph Schwartz is under federal indictment in New Jersey, where he was charged with failing to pay $29.5 million in payroll and unemployment taxes, according to court records. READ MORE
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Learn More About Serving on the NCAL Board
Are you interested in learning more about running for and serving on the NCAL Board of Directors? AHCA/NCAL will host a Board interest webinar on Wednesday, March 1 from 2 PM – 3 PM to explain the application, credentialing, and campaign process. It is perfect for those interested in running this year or in future years. Learn more by clicking here.
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Now Available! Planning Guide and Products to Celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week - May 14 - 20, 2023
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is excited to announce that the 2023 National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) Planning Guide and products are now available at www.nsncw.org.
NSNCW will begin on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14th through Saturday, May 20th, 2023.
Skilled nursing care staff, residents, families, and members of the local community are encouraged to participate in activities that cultivate and spread kindness in honor of the annual observance.
The 2023 Planning Guide offers ideas that can be incorporated into new or planned activities. Download for activity and media tips and to explore an exclusive selection of NSNCW gifts and products.
Over the coming weeks, join the conversation and tell us how your center is celebrating by sharing inspiring stories, pictures, and videos on the NSNCW Facebook channel for a chance to be featured on social platforms and future campaigns. Be sure to tag us @NationalSkilledNursingCareWeek using #NSNCW.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
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From the Office of the State Fire Marshal: Fire Alarm Testing Documentation Training
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 10:00 AM-10:45 AM
In this training session they will cover:
- requirements of documentation for fire alarm testing
- initiating device testing requirements
- give examples of deficiencies and discuss corrections
Microsoft Teams Meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 223 100 535 141
Passcode: kbRfct
Or call in (audio only)
Phone Conference ID: 559 728 362#
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Take Action: Write CMS Today!
Tell CMS how an unfunded staffing mandate would impact access to care for seniors by February 28th! No login is necessary. Please encourage all staff members to participate!
Access AHCA's Recorded Webinar: Contact CMS: Minimum Staffing Requirements for Skilled Nursing Facilities by clicking here.
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Assisted Living Conference
A full day of education for those working in the Assisted Living, Residential Health Care and Home Plus settings
TOPICS:
- The Magic of Connection – Opening Keynote and Humorist Desi Payne
- Writing a Plan of Correction – Joan Hudson
- Making Life Meaningful – Amy Siple
- Stay in Your Lane – Talking through KS Regulations
- Top Questions the association receives and how to find answers in your Reg Manual – Linda MowBray
- Workplace Resilience through the power of friendship – Amy Siple
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Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Approaches for Activities
2/28/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM
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LIVE Virtual MDS Workshop
3/1/2023 & 3/8/2023 8:30AM - 4:00PM
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Webinar: The Changed Role of Social Services In Long Term Care
3/2/2023 2:00PM-3:15PM
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Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.15 Admission Transfer and Discharge Requirements
3/14/2023 1:30PM-3:00PM
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Spring Joint Provider - Hosted by LeadingAge KS
3/21/2023 9:30AM-4:00PM - Wichita | Live Stream
3/22/2023 9:30AM-4:00PM - Topeka
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Assisted Living Lunch and Learn: A Deeper Look at FCS/NSA and HSP
3/24/2023 10:00AM-2:00PM - Wichita
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Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
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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. The SNF in-service on Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation has been updated to reflect Phase 3 information.
Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
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Attention Assisted Living and Home Plus Providers: FCS Refresher
We have frequent requests for FCS refreshers and people who want to attend the FCS section only of the Operators course. We now have it available on demand in a 75 minute webinar. It’s worth 1.5 CE’s on demand.
$20 Member Discount Code: KHCA018
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Mark Your Calendar for these 2023 Dates! |
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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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