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July/August, 2014
LifeSpan Network Enews
Maryland's leading source for senior care news and information
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Kinzer to Keynote at LifeSpan Conference 
 
Donna Kinzer, executive director of the State commission in charge of designing major changes to Maryland's hospital reimbursement system (Health Services Cost Review Commission), will kickoff LifeSpan's annual conference by discussing how the reforms will impact our market, and what LifeSpan members should be doing to prepare for emerging hospital relationships.  Early bird registration
is open for LifeSpan's largest gathering which is set for September 29th through October 2nd in Ocean City.

A number of hospital executives will follow Kinzer's presentation with a panel discussion and outline their organization's plans and progress to date to meet the State's new healthcare goals, and expectations they have in partnering with post-acute care providers in Maryland.

State Interim Budget Cut Erases Portion of SNF Rate Increase  
In a surprise move and as a result of lower than expected State revenues, Governor O'Malley requested this summer that the Board of Public Works cut approximately $80 million out of the State budget.  Stunningly, included in the cuts was a reduction of the proposed additional .8% increase for nursing home rates set to go into affect January 1, 2015.  This reversed a move made during the 2014 Legislative Session, when nursing homes received a 1.7% rate increase to coincide with the transition to the phase-in of a Prospective Payment System (PPS).  In order to further mitigate facility losses, DHMH proposed it would increase rates by another .8%.  With this action, the 1.7% increase will remain but the .8% has been officially eliminated.

LifeSpan continues to advocate for the restoration of these funds, and additional time for SNFs to successfully transition to a full PPS system.


In Memorium - Sue Fryer Ward Passes June 22, 2014  
Maryland's very first Secretary of Aging died on Sunday, June 22nd of complications following a stroke. She was 78. Throughout her career, Sue was passionate about the rights of seniors. She was Prince George's County Director of the Department of Aging, the County's Director of Family Services, and followed Parris Glendening into state level government as the Director of the Maryland Office on Aging from 1995 to1998, and then served as Secretary of the Department of Aging from 1998 to 2003. Following government service, Sue became the Grassroots Director for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, and was involved in many aging related associations, including the Maryland Gerontological Association. She was a true champion for Maryland's seniors and aging services and the positive impact she made was felt by many, many people in our State.
Beacon & Vehicles for Change Partnership Highlighted in Sun
 
The Baltimore Sun ran a story in June about Beacon Institute's scholarship program and the partnership formed with Vehicles for Change. The relationship is intended to amplify the positive impact for all involved by encouraging seniors with unwanted cars to donate them to VFC. In turn, the senior receives a tax benefit, the community gains a parking space, and a worthy low income family receives a car. Beacon and GNAs benefit too, by receiving funds from the proceeds of car donations, Beacon is dedicating the additional money to expanding it's scholarship program for GNAs. 

DHMH Secretary Sharfstein Exiting by Year End  
DHMH Secretary Josh Sharfstein announced in July that by the end of the year he will step down as Maryland's Health Secretary to become an Associate Dean at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Sharfstein, a trained pediatrician who has spent his career in public service, will join the Bloomberg School as the O'Malley administration ends.

Delmarva Out - VHQC in as Maryland's QIO  
Maryland's skilled nursing facilities have a new partner in quality improvement training activities: The Virginia Health Quality Center (VHCQ), a nonprofit health quality consulting company, was recently awarded a five-year, $23 million contract by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to support improved care for more than two million seniors. Delmarva Foundation will continue to work with SNFs in the District of Columbia, but no longer will be the official QIO for Maryland providers.

As the Quality Innovation Network Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO), VHQC will lead quality improvement efforts in Virginia and Maryland. Beginning August 1, QIN-QIOs will be placing a stronger emphasis on engaging patients and families and regional collaboration across multiple states. To learn more about the QIO Program, visit www.qioprogram.org.

Felicia Anthony Joins the BENHA  
One of LifeSpan's own, Felicia Anthony has been named to serve on the Maryland Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators. Anthony, an experienced Administrator, has been an active member of LifeSpan over the years, and will bring a healthy perspective as she serves on the BENHA board. She joins other LifeSpanners who are serving on this important board: Christine Mour, BENHA chair, Jeff Metz, BENHA vice-chair, and Tim Berry. Congratulations to Felicia!
Other News and Events
JobsJob Postings

New, Improved LifeSpan Job Board

A very active section of the  LifeSpan website combines listings from other sources so members have a more comprehensive view of everything available in our region.

Recent Postings

Assisted Living Manager
Morningside Management

Sales Counselor
Five Star Quality Care


Thank You Sponsors! 

LifeSpan thanks the following sponsors for their support:























Members in the News 

NMS Healthcare named Top Workplace by The Washington Post  

Top Workplaces are determined based solely on employee feedback. The employee survey is conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement.  

 

People sets NMS apart. The people employed by NMS Healthcare determine the extent to which they can attain their goal of providing excellent care. Therefore, NMS employs individuals who have outstanding training and skills, genuine compassion, and who are motivated to excel.

Collingswood Welcomes New Administrator   
Seasoned Administrator Michelle Kraus is taking the helm of Collingswood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Rockville. Kraus brings nearly two decades of experience in skilled nursing facility expertise to the center. 
EducationEducation & Events

Check Out Beacon Programs for 2014


More Peer to Peer Mtgs with Hospitals Planned!

Eastern Shore
August 19th @ William Hill Manor

Baltimore City September 4th @ Levindale

NE Maryland
October 24th @
Union of Cecil 
 

  

Members in the News

Oak Crest Appoints Jim Antonakos as Director of Sales 
Oak Crest, the Erickson Living retirement community in Baltimore, announced the hiring of Jim Antonakos as the Director of Sales.

Mr. Antonakos brings nearly eight years of senior living experience to Oak Crest, where he began his career as Health Insurance Resource Manager for Erickson Advantage, the Medicare Advantage plan offered to Erickson Living residents.

  

Family & Nursing Care Certified as Green Business  

Montgomery County, Maryland awarded the green certification to Family & Nursing Care, following an extremely comprehensive application and changes in practice, including a reduction in paper usage, a documented recycling program, the use of energy-efficient lighting, the purchase of sustainable office products, and other specific environmental commitments. Congrats to them! 

  

MembernewsMember News
 

New Members
LifeSpan is very proud to welcome the following new members to the association:


Provider Members

Lamplight Inn of Baltimore
3855 Greenspring Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 225-9337
Patty Dietz, Executive Director  pdietz@lamplightcommunities.com
Lamplight Inn of Baltimore
120 Assisted Living Units

1000 Daleview Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20901
(301) 434-2646
Michele Mahn, Administrator  mmahn@altheawoodland.net
Phil Meyer, Owner pmeyer@altheawoodland.net
50 Skilled Nursing Units


Associate Members

Procare Ambulance of Maryland
PO BOX 6816
Towson, MD 21285
(443) 271-6325
Debbie Ailiff
President / CEO
debbie@procareambulance.net

Procare Ambulance provides ambulance services to include basic life support, advanced life support and critical care medical transportation services, as well as wheelchair van transportation services.

1999 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 644-8681
Jim Kornick, Principal  
jim.kornick@avisonyoung.com

The healthcare services group of Avision Young focuses on senior housing and long-term care investment sales in the Mid-Atlantic.

11575 Heron Bay Blvd
Coral Springs, FL 33076
(954) 724-9809
Jennifer Solf,
Director of Marketing  Sales@AODSoftware.com

AOD Software is the first fully CCHIT Certified 2011 LTPAC EHR in Long Term Care. AOD offers the ONLY comprehensive and truly integrated solution for core Financials, Billing, Electronic Health Records, Operations, Facility Management, Home Health, Assisted Living, Rehab Services, Point of Sale, and much more!

10421 Stevenson Road, #431
Stevenson, MD 21153
(866) 611-8859
Terry Z. Fishler,
Vice President Strategic Business Development

Standardize, optimize, and automate tasks to enhance efficiencies for your adult day care center, community based services, with the ADS Desktop Partnership or ADS Web Partnership package.

7431 Wilson Road
Warrenton, VA 20715
(540) 349-8074
Susan Harrington, Manager,
Product Development support@ltctrainer.com

Our training courses are specifically designed for owners, administrators, and staff of long-term care facilities.
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