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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HHS Extends Public Health Emergency Through April 11
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra today renewed the declaration that a public health emergency (PHE) exists. This is effective January 11, 2023, and will continue for 90 days pursuant to federal law.
The PHE renewal through mid-April provides for the uninterrupted continuation of several flexibilities that have protected beneficiary access to important services in as safe and effective manner as possible.
HHS will also continue to waive the three-day hospital stay rule that causes many seniors to be strapped with out-of-pocket costs in the thousands because they do not qualify for Medicare coverage. AHCA continues to advocate to eliminate this confusing and devastating policy barrier altogether.
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NEW RESOURCES AVAILABLE
Third Edition Quality Reporting Program COVID-19 Public Reporting Tip Sheets
The purpose of the Third Edition Quality Reporting Program (QRP) COVID-19 Public Reporting (PR) Tip Sheets is to help providers understand CMS’ public reporting approach to the Home Health (HH), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF), Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH), and Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) QRPs to account for CMS quality data submissions that were either optional or excepted from public reporting due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The impacts on CMS’ Care Compare website refreshes are also outlined. These tip sheets serve as companion documents to the first and second edition QRP COVID-19 PR Tip Sheets published in 2020 and 2022.
If you have questions about accessing the resources or feedback regarding the trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox.
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AHCA/NCAL Launches New National Workforce Campaign – Careers in Caring
Today, we are excited to announce the launch of “Careers in Caring,” a new national campaign to equip nursing homes, assisted living communities and facilities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with tools and resources to help recruit new caregivers to the field.
As you know, the long term care profession has been working to attract more caregivers for decades. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic made existing challenges worse, as we’ve heard from so many of you about how difficult it is to find qualified candidates to fill critical roles. We are launching Careers in Caring as a proactive step in ensuring that our nation’s seniors have a strong workforce in place to provide the high-quality care they need and deserve.
Careers in Caring is research-tested, with proven practices to reach potential candidates. CareersInCare.org – the campaign’s dedicated website – is your one-stop shop of resources and tools that you can begin to use today to help you with your hiring efforts. You will find informational videos, messaging materials, social media resources, graphics and much more. If you want to launch your own Careers in Caring campaign in your local community, we have also provided template social media content and press materials to assist in your outreach efforts.
We know that a career in long term care is rewarding and fulfilling. You take care of our country’s most vulnerable, serving not only as caregivers but cherished friends and family. Now it’s time to show the public why long term care is a unique and essential part of our health care system. We hope that this campaign will serve as a valuable resource as we work together to build our workforce.
We’re here to help you make Careers in Caring a success. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Staffing ‘instability’ might be new mandate metric; providers gear up for battle
Average day-to-day staffing levels may be a key way to measure impact on nursing home care quality, a new study finds as federal regulators move closer to their goal of a proposed staffing mandate. READ MORE
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Social isolation linked to dementia in national study
Nearly one in four older adults in the United States are socially isolated, and at higher risk for developing dementia over the next decade, according to new findings. READ MORE
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HRSA Releases Reporting Period 4 Guidance -Releases Additional Reconsideration Information
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released two important updates related to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments HRSA began distributing in November 2021 and throughout 2022.
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Now Open: Reporting Period 4 (RP4): Providers who received one or more PRF (General or Targeted) and/or ARP Rural payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, from July 1 to December 31, 2021 must now report on their use of funds. The PRF Reporting Portal opened for RP4 on January 1, 2023, and will remain open through March 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Additional HRSA guidance is available on the PRF Reporting Resources webpage.
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Phase 4 and ARP Rural Payment Reconsiderations Deadline: Providers who believe their Phase 4 and/or ARP Rural payment was calculated incorrectly have an opportunity to submit a payment reconsideration within 45 days of receiving the notification for their company. For more information, visit the Payment Reconsideration webpage.
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Latest COVID shot cuts hospitalizations in seniors by 81 percent: study
Seniors who receive an omicron-adapted shot are 81% less likely to be hospitalized with severe COVID-19, according to a new study from Israel. READ MORE
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Special Messages from AHCA/NCAL Leadership
AHCA/NCAL is excited to share that the 2023 National Quality Award year is off to an amazing start. We saw an incredible amount of commitment to the Quality Award program through the Intent to Apply process, and we hope to keep the engagement and momentum going into the final weeks before the deadline at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson and NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea share special messages of encouragement to long term care providers working hard on their 2023 applications. READ MORE
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KHCA is excited to announce our new AIT Program
Click here to learn how our program is different from others.
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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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Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: 5-Star Overview and Health Inspection Domain
1/18/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Department Details for the DON
1/24/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: 5-Star Staffing Rating
1/25/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM
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MDS Workshop
Feb 7-8 in Olathe AND two full days of Virtual Training March 1 and March 8.
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Assisted Living Lunch and Learn: Survey Preparedness and Plans of Correction
2/10/2023 10:00AM-2:0PM
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Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course
2/15/2023 9am 2/28/2023 3pm
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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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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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