January 10, 2025

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Membership Reminder: The 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.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your membership status, please contact Kristin Plantz kplantz@khca.org.

The Latest News

Invitation to Submit Nomination for KHCA Board Seat: VP of Reimbursement

At the KHCA Annual Meeting, bylaws were changed to add a reimbursement position to the KHCA Board. We are seeking a member with expertise in reimbursement processes, revenue cycle management, and navigating payer policies to help guide our organization in this critical area.

The ideal candidate will bring:

A deep understanding of reimbursement methodologies, including private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Experience in financial management or policy development related to LTC.
Have expertise and understanding in reimbursement methodologies established through governmental processes and outside vendors used by state and federal agencies.
Has a high degree of comfort in public speaking and/or presenting testimony during legislative sessions and/or legislative committee meetings.
Will inform the KHCA Board of current information pertinent to our long-term care provider membership.

If you are interested, please send statement of interest and a resume or CV to khca@khca.org by end of business day January 24, 2025.

KHCA Board members are committed to monthly meetings and expected to lead and potentially answer questions during the legislative session related to reimbursement issues for Kansas providers. Nominations will be shared with the KHCA Board Members and there will be an anonymous vote on 01/26/2025. The KHCA Board Members will be notified along with the candidates on 01/26/2025. The newly elected Board Member will be sworn into their office on February 14^th at the regularly scheduled KHCA Board Meeting.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact for Kansas LTC Providers. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

CMS Announces Nursing Home Staffing Campaign Financial Incentives Program Aims to Support RN Staffing at Qualified Nursing Homes

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released details about financial incentives as part of its recently announced Nursing Home Staffing Campaign. CMS issued a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), which provides detailed information on becoming a Financial Incentive Administrator (FIA) and how the program aims to support nursing homes in areas with high labor shortages, specifically focused on Registered Nurses (RNs).

While the funding is not available yet, organizations that become an FIA will provide funds to RNs to work in a qualifying nursing home or at a state agency for three years. CMS states RNs will be able to receive up to $40,000 for student loan debt and/or a $10,000 stipend in return for working three years in a qualifying nursing home.

Nursing homes, nursing home chains, and nursing home associations are not eligible to become an FIA. However, nursing homes that meet CMS labor shortage criteria will be shared with FIAs and potentially have an opportunity to receive RNs through the program. The NOFO does not specify how CMS will determine qualifying nursing homes but does share the estimated number of qualifying nursing homes in high labor shortage areas in each state.

More information on the qualifications to become an FIA and specific program operations is available on the grants website. AHCA/NCAL will continue to monitor future developments regarding the CMS Nursing Home Staffing Campaign and funding availability – and will advocate for meaningful support to nursing homes. Please contact the AHCA regulatory team with any questions.

Long-Term Care Advocates Raise Concern Over CMS Nursing Incentive Program

McKnight’s Senior Living (1/10, Bonvissuto) reports, "A newly announced incentive program aimed at attracting registered nurses to nursing homes is drawing mixed opinions from long-term care advocates on how it could affect other settings, including assisted living." On Wednesday, CMS "announced that it would offer nursing students up to $40,000 in tuition reimbursement and/or $10,000 outright to work for nursing homes or state survey agencies." But, "it’s not necessarily all good news for nursing homes either, according to the American Health Care Association, which said it is concerned about some of the ‘fine print’ on the funds, which could take months or years to distribute." AHCA/NCAL Quality, Regulatory and Clinical Services Senior Vice President Holly Harmon said, "Ultimately and unfortunately, this effort is a drop in the bucket considering the number of nurses we need nationwide, especially to be able to comply with the new staffing mandate."

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (1/10, Johnson) reports Harmon added, "To build the robust pipeline of caregivers that the nation needs to care for its growing senior population...policymakers must invest significant resources and advance meaningful policy changes."

CDC widens pneumococcal vaccine recommendation to all over 50

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that American adults over the age of 50 receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, or PCV.

The report with the updated recommendation was published on Thursday. Previously, the recommendation for the vaccine was only for adults who were aged 65 and older and people between the ages 19 and 64 who had risks for pneumococcal disease. A PCV protects against pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections. READ MORE

Struggling with Billing and Coding Headaches?

Get a jump on the new year with the 2025 PMIC ICD-10-CM and master reimbursement challenges with ease. And be sure to explore The Medicare Guide for SNF Billing and Reimbursement - your go-to resource for tackling complex billing issues and maximizing revenue for your facility.

Quality Award Application Resources for Success

Is your long term and post-acute care center or community dedicated to providing quality care and improving residents’ lives? The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is here to support your commitment! Apply now and use these essential resources as you get started. READ MORE

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 2025 Education Calendar.

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.

Education Spotlight

Webinar: Survey Trends in Assisted Living

January 23, 2025 at 1:00PM

This webinar will focus on KDADS most recent survey statistics reports for Assisted Living Facilities, Residential Health Care Facilities and Home Plus. In addition to these statistics Joan Hudson, LNHA, RN-BC will review the top 10 deficiencies cited and discuss what is required to meet the regulation and/or avoid the citation. You won’t want to miss this 75 minute webinar packed full of information! There will be time during this webinar for questions. LEARN MORE

Upcoming Education