May 24, 2022
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
The Latest News
Transfer of Ownership: BD Veritor Analyzers

Click here to view the letter from KDHE regarding transfer of COVID testing analyzers to facilities that received these during the COVID-19 pandemic response. 

If you have any questions regarding this transfer, please email Myron Gunsalus or Paul Harrison at KHEL, the KDHE public health laboratory. 
Distressed or ready to reset? At LTC 100, execs share thoughts on 2022 outlook

McKnights Long-Term-Care News - Investors making a long play will help buoy the skilled nursing industry as operators navigate mounting financial and regulatory pressures, and that’s just one reason a group of executives and analysts meeting in Florida this week are less concerned than one might think about the sector’s outlook for 2022.

Also reported by Skilled Nursing News
TOMORROW! Webinar: MDS Mastermind Series: Becoming a CAA and Care Planning Maestro

5/25/22 from 1:30PM - 2:30PM
KDHE to ship POC Antigen tests to all LTC Communities. Last day to opt out is May 26th

Kansas Department of Health and Environment has excess inventory of GenBody point-of-care (POC) antigen tests that we have allocated specifically for congregate care facilities with licensed beds. These are available free of charge to you. The expiration date listed on the package will fall in October or November of 2022. Please note that the manufacturer has requested a shelf life extension so it is likely that date will extend into the first quarter of 2023, or beyond. KDHE will notify you when the shelf life extension is granted. 
 
KDHE will be shipping the tests out in two separate allotments over the next several months. They have allocated the number of tests/facility based on the number of licensed beds in that facility.  A spreadsheet that indicates the number of tests allocated to your facility for the first shipment can be found by clicking here.

If you DO NOT want to receive your full allocation, or you prefer not to receive any tests at all, please complete the KDHE COVID-19 Test Confirmation FormThe form will allow you to: 
 
1. Request a reduced number of tests
2. Opt out of this offer of free tests 
3. Accept your full allocation of tests 
 
The deadline for submission of this form is May 26, 2022. If KDHE has not received your request to opt out of receipt of the free tests or to receive a reduced number of tests by May 26, they will ship you the full allocation of tests available for this first distribution. If you are in urgent need of tests, please respond to the KDHE COVID-19 Test Confirmation Form and indicate that in the question field. They will work to ship your tests out as soon as we are able. 

You will receive a second communication prior to the second round of test distribution where you will have the option to opt out or receive a reduced number of tests for that allotment. 

If you have any questions, please use the dedicated question field in the KDHE COVID-19 Test Confirmation Form, and someone from KDHE will contact you as soon as possible. 
KCAL District 1 Round Table

Friday, June 3, 2022
2:00PM - 4:00PM
Mission Chateau Assisted Living
4100 W 85th Street
Prairie Village, KS 66206

Assisted Living Round Table with Kansas Center for Assisted Living Board Members and KHCA/KCAL President/CEO Linda MowBray

Includes all Assisted Living, Home Plus, and Residential Health Care Communities in Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte Counties.

Click here for more details.
In Case You Missed It
Legislative Update – a President’s Message
 
Sine Die

Did you know?
Sine Die is a Latin term that means, “without day.” When a legislature adjourns sine die, it means it is the final adjournment of the assembly without a day being set for reconvening.

The 2022 Kansas Legislature wrapped its business for the year Monday, May 23, 2022. The House gaveled out Sine Die at 1:30pm and the Senate followed suit at 2:20pm. For this final day, the Legislature was expected to take up 3 issues vetoed by the Governor:

1.     Substitute for Senate Bill 34 - Prohibiting governmental entities and public officials from taking certain actions related to a contagious or infectious disease, limiting powers of the governor and other governmental entities under the Kansas emergency management act to require face masks, requiring judicial review of certain emergency actions to occur without unreasonable delay and limiting powers of the secretary of health and environment related to enforcement of quarantine and student inoculation requirements. Neither the House or the Senate took up this issue for an override attempt so the veto has been sustained.

2.     House Bill 2387 - Prohibiting the issuance of a request for proposal or entering into a new contract for the administration and provision of benefits under the medical assistance program and removing the authority of the governor to prohibit attending or conducting certain religious services and worship services. The House voted to override the veto by a margin of 84 to 38 so the veto was over-turned. The Senate voted to override the veto by a margin of 27 to 10 and the veto was over-turned.

3.     House Bill 2252 - Prohibiting the modification of election laws by agreement except as approved by the legislative coordinating council. The House voted to override the veto by a margin of 84 to 37 so the veto was over-turned. The Senate voted to override the veto by a margin of 27 to 10 and the veto was over-turned.

As a reminder, the veto attempt must be approved by a super majority in both chambers in order to override the Governor’s veto.

Look for a flurry of activity this summer and district primary races heat up. We will keep you informed of our advocacy efforts. Please reach out should you have questions or would like to host a candidate fundraising event.

Linda MowBray
KHCA/KCAL President & CEO
Letter re KDHE Home Health Regulations effective 5/20/22

Do you provide Home Care Services as part of your portfolio? This memo is for you.
Missing or Wrong Data at Admissions Costs SNFs Millions

Skilled nursing providers are leaving millions of reimbursement dollars on the table due to avoidable and costly billing errors — with most coming during the intake and admissions process. READ MORE
There’s Something for Everyone at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo
There are so many learning opportunities at this year’s AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo. Over the course of four days, you can choose from more than 100 sessions in 20+ tracks, covering all critical aspects of long term and post-acute care. You’ll also have the chance to earn up to 14.75 CE​s. Whether you are a c-suite executive, administrator, DON (nursing supervisor), corporate staff, or an assisted living professional, there’s something for you at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo! READ MORE
Early Bird registration is open and continues through July 22. Book now and get the lowest rates possible.

2023 National Quality Award Applications Available Now

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is excited to announce that the 2023 application year is now open. For the first time, application packets are available three months earlier than previous years so that skilled nursing care centers and assisted living communities can begin to prepare. We encourage members to take advantage of this additional time to download application packets and materials and to begin planning, reviewing and gathering relevant data. READ MORE
Education Spotlight
Nurse Leadership Conference - June 14 & 15, 2022 in Manhattan, KS


This special Nurse Leadership Conference sponsored by Encore Rehabilitation is an opportunity for nurses working in the Long-Term Care setting to strengthen their leadership skills. Building strong leaders through education is essential to promoting a better quality of life for our residents. Meet new vendor partners and spend time networking and getting to know others that are doing the same valuable work that you’re doing. It’s been a while since we’ve been together in person. Let’s celebrate all that we’ve accomplished, together.

Click here for more details. Click the image to view the full brochure.
Upcoming Education
AAPACN RAC-CT Certification - In Person

Topeka, KS
6/1 - 6/3/22 from 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Nurse Leadership Conference - In Person

Manhattan, KS
6/14/2022 11AM - 6/15/2022 3:30PM
QAPI for Assisted Living - Lunch and Learn - In Person

Topeka, KS
6/17/2022 12:00PM-4:00PM
Fearless In the Face of Crisis (On Demand Education)

Fearless in the Face of Crisis is the ultimate playbook for leaders. A self-directed, online course it contains five modules, made up of short, easy-to-digest videos, that are filled with simple actions you can take immediately.

7 NAB approved CE approved

View at your convenience!
The Stability Zone (On Demand Education)

The Stability Zone is a go-at-your-own-pace, online program that is brimming with my very best stress-busting advice! Just like Fearless in the Face of Crisis, this course contains quick, easy-to-implement actions in bite-sized videos. The Stability Zone is the main course, the pièce de résistance, to get leaders full of stress-free hacks and JOY, delicious joy! One of the best parts of The Stability Zone is that leaders can share this joy by teaching their teams how to banish their stress for good too!  


6.5 NAB approved CE approved

View at your convenience!
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