August 4, 2023
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AHCA Summary of FY 2024 SNF Final Payment Rule

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2024 update. 

AHCA has provided a summary of the final rule. Please note that a member log-in is required to view the summary. Please contact the relevant subject matter expert listed in the summary with any questions. 

Highlights include:  

  • The final rule provides for a net market basket increase for SNFs of 4.0 percent (approximately $1.4 billion) beginning October 1, 2023. This is 0.3 percent more than was originally proposed in April. This positive outcome is a result of the hard work of AHCA members and staff who worked on this issue year-round.
  • This 4.0 percent market basket update, after rounding, reflects:
  • A $2.2 billion increase resulting from the 6.4% net market basket update to the payment rates, which is based on a 3.0% SNF market basket increase plus a 3.6% market basket forecast error adjustment and less a 0.2% productivity adjustment; and
  • A negative 2.3%, or approximately $789 million, decrease in the FY 2024 SNF PPS rates as a result of the second phase of the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) parity adjustment recalibration.
  • Consolidated Billing: CMS finalized, as proposed, the addition of marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors to the list of practitioners whose services are excluded from the consolidated billing provision, effective January 1, 2024.
  • SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP):
  • CMS is adopting two measures, removing three measures, and modifying one measure. 
  • This rule makes policy changes to the SNF QRP and begins public reporting of four measures. 
  • CMS is not adopting the CoreQ short-stay discharge measure that was proposed in April 2023.
  • SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP): 
  • CMS is adopting four new quality measures, replacing one quality measure, and finalizing several policy changes in the SNF VBP Program.
  • CMS is increasing the payback percentage policy under the SNF VBP program from the current 60% to 66% to increase bonuses provided to the high-performing, high duals SNFs beginning in the FY 2027 program year.
  • Civil Monetary Penalties: The final rule eliminated the requirements for facilities to actively waive their right to a hearing in writing in order to receive the 35% penalty reduction and created in its place a constructive waiver process that would operate automatically when CMS has not received a timely request for a hearing.
We need your input on 2024 Education Topics

This survey provided by our partner Proactive Medical is designed to collect data on which webinar series are most desired by our providers. We ask that you take a few minutes to give us your feedback. Thank you in advance.
Feds finalize automatic appeal waiver, but threaten to cut penalty reductions

Federal regulators this week finalized plans to make appeal waivers automatic in the case of most civil monetary penalties meted out to nursing homes.

But language added since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services first proposed the end of the 60-day written waiver requirement in April is raising questions about whether the change might ultimately cost providers more in the end. READ MORE
Production of our 2024 Membership Directory

KHCA/KCAL has partnered with E&M Consulting, Inc. to produce our Membership Directory. The publication will be available in both print and digital formats. E&M will be managing the project, including advertising sales and layout/graphic design. They are highly professional and produce a high-quality publication, and we ask that you give them a moment of your time. E&M will be contacting all members about the advertising opportunities available. The publication will be mailed to every member – a great opportunity to promote and give your company additional exposure. 
 
If you have any questions or want to advertise, please contact an E&M sales associate at 800-572-0011 ext. 8005 or advertising@eandmsales.com. As always, your support is greatly appreciated! 

Congressional August recess is here, and there’s no better time to schedule a tour with your member of Congress. AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Mark Parkinson has issued a friendly competition between state affiliates to see which state can get the highest percentage of their delegation to tour a skilled nursing facility or assisted living community in August and September. READ MORE
Don't Forget to Nominate Your Staff!

The 2023 Staff Recognition Program is here again and this is a way for you to honor your staff and volunteers. Our yearly awards ceremony is just a small way of honoring some of the great men and women who care for the elders of our great state! The time taken from your busy schedules to fill out this nomination is very much appreciated. 

Winners will be honored at our Annual Convention and Trade Show on Friday, September 29, 2023.
In Case You Missed It
The Sunflower (RE)-Connection - A Publication from KDADS

Inside This Edition:
  • HCBS Setting Final Rule
  • Ombudsman Message
  • PDPM Training
  • Contact List
  • Top Cites for Q2 & Q3
  • House Bill 2125
  • MDS Information 
  • Regulation Spotlight
  • Complaint Reporting
  • PBJ

Click here to read more.
Attention Assisted Living Providers!

A Message from KCAL Consultant Joan Hudson

We are seeing an increasing trend in citations related to bed assistive devices in Assisted Living and Home Plus settings. I want to take a moment to share some resources and ensure all our providers are aware of the requirements around bed assistive devices of any kind. READ MORE
 
Don’t miss the KCAL webinar on August 24th specifically on this topic. Click here for more information and to register.
OSHA Releases Final Rule on Improving Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration published a final rule on Improving Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses. This rule, effective January 1, 2024, modifies existing requirements for reporting workplace injuries and illnesses. READ MORE
CMS unveils program to improve dementia care, ease unpaid caregiver strain

The federal government is hoping to do more for people with dementia on Medicare — and their unpaid caregivers. READ MORE
Education Spotlight
Joint Provider Fire Marshal Training
 
This Joint Training seminar for Kansas Adult Care Home providers and the OSFM staff was created as the result of the cooperative efforts of the long-term care associations and the Office of the Sate Fire Marshal. KHCA is pleased to offer this one-day session in two locations to discuss the top tags issued from the OFSM.
 
Three Options to attend:
August 9, 2023 (Olathe)
August 9, 2023 (Virtual)
August 10, 2023 (Wichita)
 
Agenda:
8:30 AM - Registration
9:00 – 9:10 - Welcome
9:10 – 10:00 - Top 5 K-tags (countdown to #1 sprinklers)
10:00 – 10:15 - Break
10:15 – 11:30 - Sprinkler System Maintenance – What you need to know
11:30 – 12:20 - The in’s and out’s of Fire Watch
12:20 – 1:20 - Lunch Provided
1:20 – 2:10 - Fire Drills
2:10 – 2:30 - Break
2:30 – 3:00 - The importance and layout of a fire safety book in your facility
3:00 – 3:50 - Voices of experience
 
Click here for more details.
Upcoming Education
Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.40 Behavioral Health Service Requirements

8/8/2023 1:30PM - 3:00PM

Click here for more details.
Joint Provider Fire Marshal Training

Three Options to attend:
August 9, 2023 (Olathe)
August 9, 2023 (Virtual)
August 10, 2023 (Wichita)

Click here for more details.
Virtual Silver Award Workshop Session 1

8/10/2023 1:00PM - 4:00PM

Click here for more details.
Assisted Living Lunch and Learn - Survey Preparedness and Plans of Correction

8/18/2023 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Advanced Action Planning for Administrators

8/22/2023 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.
JUST ADDED! Webinar: Bedrails in Assisted Living; Do you know what's required?

8/24/2023 2:00PM - 3:15PM

Click here for more details.
73rd Annual Convention and Tradeshow

9/27/2023 2:00PM - 9/29/2023 4:00PM

Click here for more details.
Administrator in Training (AIT) Program

We are excited to announce our new AIT Program! Click here for more details.

Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org
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