KHCA/KCAL is committed to providing our members with important updates. Below is a list of the most recent information. Please visit our website for a list of complete updates. www.khca.org/covid-19-resources
|
|
As a reminder, the 2022 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. |
|
Two “critically important” issues will determine long-term care providers’ near-term fate over the next month and a half, the nation’s top nursing home leader said Tuesday.
One is to achieve another extension of the federal public health emergency (PHE) designation before it expires April 15. The other will be achieving a favorable proposal for the 2023 Medicare payment rule next month, said Mark Parkinson, the president of the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living. READ MORE
|
|
AHCA Chief Medical Officer Discusses Innovative Solutions To LTC Staffing Crisis
Provider Magazine (3/29, Zargar, 151K) reports on innovative solutions to the long-term care staffing crisis suggested by American Health Care Association Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Gifford in a recent interview. During the interview, Dr. Gifford highlighted the success of the Temporary Nurse Assistant training program, and said he has been "trying to really push" for the creation of a new role in nursing homes "that would reduce the burden upon nurses and only require minimal training." Dr. Gifford explained that "most of the calls, and most of the requests for help by residents...don’t require a CNA or RN. They just require a nice compassionate person." Dr. Gifford also "believes that it is the job of the federal government to provide financial incentives in order to get more people into long term care facilities that need support."
|
|
AHCA/NCAL Highlights Nursing Home Quality Improvements During COVID-19 Pandemic
AHCA/NCAL released a new report with data reporting on the quality of care in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. These facts highlight the commitment of dedicated caregivers to raising the standard of care for the benefit of nursing home residents during an unprecedented public health crisis. This week’s report follows data issued earlier this month by AHCA/NCAL highlighting quality improvements over the last decade. READ MORE
|
|
Second COVID-19 Booster Authorized and Recommended for Certain Individuals
On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a second booster dose for certain individuals. CDC is updating its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. In addition, CDC recommends adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. READ MORE
Also reported by McKnight's LTC News READ MORE
|
|
The Transformative Power of Happiness
It seems almost daily we are hit by news where someone or something is trying to rob us of our happiness. We barely survived the pandemic while losing our staff and having to deal with an agency that will not adapt to our caring culture. READ MORE
|
|
From the desk of Lacey Hunter, KDADS Commissioner for SC&C
KDADS and KDHE Facility Surveyors will not be Enforcing Vaccine Mandate
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that KDADS and KDHE facility surveyors will not be enforcing the CMS vaccine mandate for health care providers. Kansas has reached an agreement with CMS on the responsibility to survey for compliance with the vaccine mandate (42 CFR §483.80(i)). CMS will communicate directly with facilities to demonstrate compliance with the vaccine mandate and tag F-888. Kansas surveyors will complete the remaining parts of recertification surveys, complaint investigations and revisits without verifying facility efforts to ensure vaccine compliance with F888 or 42 CFR §483.80(i).
Links to more information about the agreement between CMS and Kansas:
Click here to view the media release from Governor Kelly.
|
|
KHCA/KCAL President/CEO Update from 3/28/22
Click here if you missed Monday's President/CEO Update.
|
|
Summary of the President’s FY 2023 Budget Proposal
Earlier today, President Biden released his Federal Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Budget Proposal. Of note, the President’s Budget is a blueprint. Proposed actions may or may not come to fruition.
In his budget proposal this year, President Biden includes an array of proposals aimed at mitigating the impacts of future pandemics as well as new legislative oversight provisions.
For SNF and AL providers, notable Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provisions include:
- Key pandemic efforts include $81.7B to HHS agencies (CDC, FDA, CMS, HRSA, ACL and ASPR) to continue to support COVID to prepare for next pandemic;
- Legislative proposals associated with provider transparency and oversight;
- Medicaid investment in behavioral health and HCBS programs; and
- HUD funding for affordable senior housing.
AHCA/NCAL has provided a short overview of the proposals for members. For questions, suggestions, or concerns, please contact Mike Cheek at mcheek@ahca.org.
|
|
Industry Groups Concerned Biden Nursing Home Reform Focused On Penalties Could Endanger Industry
Skilled Nursing News (3/28, Zorn) reports there is concern that the Biden Administration’s recent nursing home reform "may be too focused on" penalties for the industry. In particular, "the Biden administration proposed raising the dollar limit on per-instance penalties from $21,000 to $1 million," citing "evidence that from 2013 to 2017, 82% of all inspected nursing homes had an infection prevention and control deficiency." However, recent data from the American Health Care Association show "72% of the more than 110,000 infection control focused inspections of nursing homes conducted from 2020 to 2022 were deemed ‘deficiency free.’" With nursing home operating margins "expected to stay in the negative for at least the next year, some see the administration’s plan to increase the dollar limit on per-instance financial penalties as potentially dangerous for the industry as a whole."
|
|
Upcoming NHSN Long-term Care Release March 2022
Click here to view important information for the Long-term Care Facility COVID-19 Module regarding modifications for the NHSN release that will occur March 2022. Resources on the NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module website will be updated, where indicated, with revised forms, instructions, FAQs and CSV templates. Information regarding training opportunities is also available on the NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Website.
|
|
KMAP Web Update
The KMAP website has been updated with the Go-Live Bulletin GL2-018 regarding the new KMAP portal training videos.
KanCare Claims Resolution Logs
|
|
Call for Presentations
An essential service to our association is offering high quality training and education to our members. We invite you to join us in our commitment to delivering timely, relevant, and engaging information as we prepare for our 2022 Nurse Leadership Conference (June) and Annual Convention (September).
We are looking for topics that fit skilled nursing, assisted living, home plus and residential health care communities.
Click here to learn more on our needs and how you can submit a proposal.
|
|
KCAL Assisted Living Conference (in person)
4/5/22 from 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Lawrence, KS
|
|
Webinar: Survey Top 10 Citation Series - Survey Success! Avoiding Top Citations. #3 Top Citation: F761 Label/Store Drugs & Biologicals
4/5/22 from 1:30PM - 2:30PM
|
|
Webinar: Restorative Nursing Series: Restorative Nursing Overview (Part 1)
4/7/22 from 1:00PM - 2:15PM
|
|
Webinar: Restorative Nursing Series: Bowel Bladder, Dining, Communication & Cognition (Part 2)
4/14/22 from 1:00PM - 2:15PM
|
|
The AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit is Back! Registration Now Open!
Quality Summit will be held in Kissimmee, FL, May 16-18.
This year’s AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit delivers three days of education programs and awesome networking opportunities with like-minded, quality professionals in long term and post-acute care. The Quality Summit offers 30 sessions topics focused on leadership, recruitment and retention, infection prevention and PDPM.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
