Update from Today’s Stakeholders Meeting

During today’s stakeholders meeting, KHCA/KCAL staff learned from Scott Brunner that KDADS will continue assigning SNF surveyors to Kansas state-licensed–only communities through the end of November. Dawne Altis also confirmed that federal surveyors are expected to resume surveys in SNF buildings beginning in early December.

If you have questions or need support as we navigate these transitions, please reach out to the association. We’re here for you—and we’re all in this together.

As pressures mount, so do involuntary nursing home discharges. Here’s how providers should approach them

McKnight's Long-Term Care News (11/20, Marselas) reports, "Facing increased fiscal and liability pressures, more US nursing homes are initiating involuntary patient discharges."

A follow up from today’s Facility Standards and Nurse Advisory Committee call

Links to the information discussed related to immigration via programs and the elimination of automatic extensions of certain types of employment authorizations can be found here.

H-1B Non-Immigrant Visa Program Update

E-Verify Resumes Operations

USCIS to Mandate Electronic Payments for Applications

Elimination of Automatic Extension of Certain Types of Employment Authorization Documents

JAMA Study on Impact of H-1B Visa Application Fees

NATCEP: A Solution for Developing Nurse Aides in Long Term Care

KHCA’s AIT Program: Celebrating Success and Leadership!

Over the past three years, KHCA’s Administrator-in-Training (AIT) Program has been an incredible success. We’ve had the privilege of working with so many talented individuals who have gone on to become licensed nursing home administrators.

Today, we want to take a moment to celebrate and congratulate, another AIT and their hard work and dedication, Stacey Bertz. We’re proud to be a part of your journey! Congratulations on passing your exam!

If you are interested in signing up for KHCA’s AIT program you can find more information on our website or you can always reach out to Teresa Keating.

Medicaid Eligibility System - Provider Escalation Guide

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has provided the following document by clicking here, to assist providers when they have difficulties with the Medicaid eligibility system. This provider escalation form gives step by step instructions on who to contact for specific issues. Please keep a copy for your records when you reach out and feel free to contact us if you need additional assisting advocating for your residents.

LTC Trend Tracker Updates: What You Need to Know

As you know, LTC Trend Tracker, AHCA/NCAL's exclusive web-based tool, helps long term and post-acute care providers-including assisted living-benchmark performance, monitor quality measures, and access valuable insights. 

What Changed? 

Based on feedback from assisted living providers, LTC Trend Tracker now offers simplified data entry within the NCAL Measures upload template. Previously, providers had to complete all data fields within the NCAL Measures upload template in order to successfully upload information into LTC Trend Tracker-a challenge for those not tracking every metric within the template. With the new system update, providers can enter the metrics they are tracking-such as hospital readmissions or falls with injury- without receiving an error message for incomplete data, making it easier to start small and expand over time. 

Why It Matters for Members 

This improvement removes a major hurdle for assisted living communities wanting to utilize LTC Trend Tracker, allowing them to engage in quality improvement efforts without overwhelming requirements. It's a practical way for providers to demonstrate commitment to quality and benchmark against peers. 

We Encourage Our Members to Act 

If you haven't registered for LTC Trend Tracker, now is the time. We encourage you to sign up today by clicking here.

CMS Refreshes Care Compare Ratings As AHCA Calls For Improvements

Skilled Nursing News (11/20, Siddiqi) reports CMS "began refreshing the nursing home Care Compare ratings" on Thursday following the government shutdown. Meanwhile, American Health Care Association Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Services Holly Norelli "said in a statement to SNN that the largest association for for-profit providers is also calling for improvements to Care Compare." Norelli said, "Seniors and their families deserve accurate and timely information about nursing homes, and we’ll continue to encourage the administration to make improvements to Care Compare to support this." 

CMS Reportedly Rarely Enforces Medicare Advantage Rules To Ensure Members Can See Physicians

KFF Health News (11/20, Jaffe) reports that "government documents obtained by KFF Health News" in a FOIA request "show the agency overseeing Medicare Advantage does little to enforce long-standing rules intended to ensure about 35 million plan members can see doctors in the first place." The CMS documents "covering the past decade" show the agency sent letters "to only five insurers from 2016 to 2022 after seven of their plans failed to meet provider network adequacy requirements – lapses that could, in some cases, harm patient care." 

REMINDER: License Expiration Grace Period Survey

In response to concerns voiced in the House Special Committee on Government Oversight KSBN is seeking interest and needs for a grace period for nurse’s license expiration date. They would appreciate your feedback. The data will be reported to the decision-makers to assist in possible legislative changes to the Kansas Nurse Practice Act. It is a short survey and can be completed fast. Thank you for your consideration in completing this survey to assist in legislative decisions.

Gero Nurse Prep Sale Extended to December 31: Nurses Who Enroll Have One Year to Complete the Coursework

AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases nurses’ gerontological nursing knowledge and competency test scores. READ MORE


Utilize the Member's Only Scholarship for this course. LEARN MORE

A Message from KDADS: New CRC System – Go Live Date: November 19, 2025

Please note: The new CRC System went live on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

• The CRC will continue to be processed as name-based, but this new system will become the single location to request and receive all results.
• Prohibition Letters and Court Letters will no longer be emailed. Instead, these letters—and their statuses—will be available directly on the employee list, similar to the current “No Match” (also known as “Cleared”) results. (Note: We are still unsure how the system will handle previously cleared employees; we may still need to send an email notifying other facilities in the event of a new prohibition.)
• CRCs for employees already on the list can be resubmitted without re-entering any information—just a few clicks.
• Multiple authorized users will be supported.
• The system will automatically check the KNAR for any prohibitions (ANE and Criminal Convictions). After entering their information, the system will provide a message indicating that a CRC cannot be completed.

Below are two documents for your reference:

• CRC System Instructions/Videos – includes detailed guidance on how to:
• Create your account (once the system is live)
• Link and manage your facilities
• Facility List – includes all facilities we were able to locate that have an established Facility ID. Next to each Facility ID, you’ll find the Type of Facility. It’s very important to use the facility type exactly as listed when linking your facility to your account.

Once all facilities you manage are linked within the CRC System, you will be able to select each facility to view the employee list and submit background check requests through the “Employee Background Checks” section. Instructions for submitting a CRC will also be available at the top of that page.

If you have any questions/issues after reviewing the instructions, please contact us at kdads.crcstaff@ks.gov.

Congress Ends Government Shutdown

Last week, Congress struck a deal to reopen the federal government. AHCA/NCAL has put together a rundown of key provisions in the deal as well as guidance on what comes next with federal government operations resuming. READ MORE

CMS Says Medicare Part B Premiums Will Rise 9.7% In 2026

The Hill (11/17, Choi, 5.69M) reports a CMS notice released last week revealed Medicare Part B premiums will increase by 9.7% next year, nearly twice as high as the percentage increase in 2025. Monthly actuarial rates for seniors and disabled enrollees in 2026 "will be $405.40 and $585.60." The Trump Administration "claimed the increase would have been higher had the CMS not taken action on skin substitutes earlier this year." 

Webinar: F755 - Pharmacy Services/Procedures/Pharmacist/Records

12/9/2025 - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Click here for more details.

Webinar: Tips & Recommendations if You Get Sued

12/16/2025 - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Click here for more details.

Administrator in Training (AIT) Program

Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.



Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org