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. |
|
|
Attention ALL HCBS Providers
Many of you are hearing from your MCO’s about a policy that will require Assisted Livings, Residential Health Care and Home Plus to begin using AuthentiCare Kansas in order to verify services for your HCBS clients and then bill for their services.
Let me assure you that when KHCA/KCAL became aware of this issue, we began immediate reach-out to KDADS, the Gainwell (KMAP) group and our legislative partners.
There are so many inconsistencies with the messages/bulletins from KMAP and we are working very hard to resolve them. READ MORE
|
|
KDADS Promotes Two on Leadership Team
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services promoted two people on the agency’s executive leadership team, Secretary Laura Howard announced Monday.
Andrew Brown, the department’s behavioral health services commissioner, has been promoted to deputy secretary for programs.
Brown will be responsible for the overall program services function of three commissions for the agency: long term services and supports, behavioral health services, and the new aging commission.
“As Behavioral Health Services Commissioner over the last four years, Andy has demonstrated the leadership ability to make progress on key systems changes in the behavioral health system, including implementation of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics model and leading the state’s 988 implementation,” Howard said in a news release. “I am confident he will bring the same strategic approach and strong relationship and partnership skills to this new role.”
Drew Adkins, behavioral health services assistant commissioner, will serve as interim behavioral health services commissioner.
“Drew’s promotion to Interim Commissioner leaves BHS in very competent hands,” Howard said. “Drew will quickly step in to continue to affect change and build on the impactful strategic work BHS is implementing.”
|
|
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.
|
|
CMS SNF/LTC Open Door Forum
The next CMS SNF/LTC Open Door Forum is scheduled for Thursday, December 7 from 1-2 PM Central. Advance registration is required. Register Today
|
|
FY 2025 SNF VBP Program December 2023 Quarterly Reports are Now Available
The December 2023 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program are now available to download via the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES).
These reports contain facility and stay-level data and results for the SNF 30-Day All-Cause Readmission Measure (SNFRM) for FY 2019, the FY 2025 SNF VBP Program baseline period. READ MORE
|
|
Interest In Telehealth Stays Strong In Skilled Nursing Sector Following COVID-19 Pandemic
McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (12/5, Hall) reports that "during the height of the COVID pandemic, telehealth experienced prolific skilled nursing penetration – jumping from 5% of all facilities in 2019 to nearly 92% in 2020." Telehealth is still earning "accolades for promoting greater access to doctors and improving outcomes and patient satisfaction for everything from stroke rehab to dementia care." There is "also plenty of interest in telehealth’s potential to help fill the vacuum created by workforce shortages."
|
|
Free Webinar: Elevating the Assisted Living Dining Experience for Less
NCAL and Incite Strategic Partners are hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, December 13 at 1 p.m. CST. This informative session focuses on raising assisted living dining excellence through smarter buying at the best prices and effective culinary practices. READ MORE
|
|
HHS Issues Important Cybersecurity Notice for Health Care Operators
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center has released a notice strongly encouraging health care organizations to upgrade their devices due to a vulnerability. Known as “Citrix Bleed,” this vulnerability has been ongoing since August 2023 and could allow hackers to access private health care information by bypassing passwords and multifactor authentication.
Those systems vulnerable to Citrix Bleed include NetScaler ADC (formerly Citrix ADC) and NetScaler Gateway (formerly Citrix Gateway). Versions include:
- NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway 14.1 before 14.1-8.50
- NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway 13.1 before 13.1-49.15
- NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway 13.0 before 13.0-92.19
- NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway version 12.1 (EOL)
- NetScaler ADC 13.1FIPS before 13.1-37.163
- NetScaler ADC 12.1-FIPS before 12.1-55.300
- NetScaler ADC 12.1-NDcPP before 12.1-55.300
Citrix released a patch for this vulnerability in early October, but these compromised sessions will still be active after a patch has been implemented. Administrators should follow Citrix’s guidance to upgrade their devices and remove any active or persistent sessions with the following commands:
- kill aaa session -all
- kill icaconnection -all
- kill rdp connection -all
- kill pcoipConnection -all
- clear lb persistentSessions
Additional recommended actions for investigating any potential Citrix Bleed exploits have been provided by NetScaler. Further technical details, threat activity, and indicators of compromise can be obtained here and here . Users and administrators are strongly encouraged to review these recommended actions and upgrade devices to prevent serious damage.
As a reminder, everyone must remain vigilant – DO NOT click on suspicious emails, especially over the holidays. AHCA/NCAL will provide additional updates as available.
|
|
Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
Last week the discussion centered around reporting potential abuse, neglect, exploitation or mistreatment. And as promised, this week the discussion will revolve around performing an effective and thorough investigation for incidents of alleged, reported or suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation or mistreatment. Federal guidelines require that a facility must have evidence that all allegations of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of resident property or mistreatment of a resident, including injuries of unknown source, have been thoroughly investigated. In addition, the facility must take action to prevent further potential abuse while the investigation is in progress. READ MORE
|
|
How the Removal of MDS Section G Is Affecting Quality Measures, Staffing Calculations, and Five-Star Ratings
Implementing changes to the Minimum Data Sets (MDS) will have large implications for operators beyond quality assessments, and with a possible direct impact on Five Star Ratings in the coming months. READ MORE
|
|
AHCA/NCAL’s Parkinson Named “Most Influential” for 2023
Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare of 2023. This is Parkinson’s fourth year in a row to receive this honor.
This prestigious recognition program acknowledges and honors individuals who are deemed by their peers and the senior editors of Modern Healthcare to be the most influential figures in the industry in terms of leadership and impact. Being selected as one of the most influential people in health care signifies Parkinson's continued efforts to make a lasting change and to fulfill the AHCA/NCAL's mission of improving lives by delivering solutions for quality care.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized among so many remarkable health care leaders and advocates in DC,” said Parkinson. “Our success is really a result of the hard work of the entire AHCA/NCAL membership and staff. We remain united, bringing together a wide range of expertise and knowledge to advocate for solutions that improve and advance long term care.”
|
|
4 Week Series: Getting Together Meetings That Work
4 Week series (Every Wednesday for four weeks starting November 29-December 20 from 1:30 - 2:30)
Join us for a 4-week webinar series running from November to December 2023, focusing on skill-building for successful and productive team meetings. This series covers standards and content of effective and efficient facility meetings including: Daily clinical/stand up, UR/Medicare, Triple Check, Falls, Weight Loss/Nutrition at Risk, QAPI, Skin/ PU, Behavior and includes monitoring tools, video examples and policy templates.
|
|
Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.70 Administration Requirements
12/12/23 - 1:30PM-3:00PM
|
|
Webinar: Getting Together - Meeting That Work Series: Meetings that Go More Than Skin Deep – Pressure Ulcer/Skin and Weight Loss
12/13/23 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
|
|
Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Customer Service Concepts for the Crew
12/19/23 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
|
|
Webinar: Getting Together - Meeting That Work Series: Getting to the Root Cause – Falls and Behavioral Health Meetings
12/20/23 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
|
|
RAC-CT Certification In-Person Workshop
1/29/2024 8:00AM - 1/31/2024 5:00PM
|
|
Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
