KHCA/KCAL Update 11/5/25

November 5, 2025

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.

The Latest News

CMS Issues 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

Park Place Live (11/3) reports CMS has issued its 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, putting multiple changes into place, including "a new process to make telehealth services more Medicare-reimbursable." AHCA/NCAL Associate Vice President of Therapy Advocacy Dan Ciolek said, "We appreciate the 3.26 percent increase for Medicare Part B services such as outpatient therapy services furnished by skilled nursing providers as well as the revised telehealth provisions that will help ensure more timely and consistent access to care for seniors."

FREE CNE November 13th at Noon. ZOOM only

Finding the Good When Good Seems to Not Be Found: Embracing the Changes That Accompany Age.

In cognitive aging, people joke I just study downward sloping lines. And there’s some truth in that. This presentation will talk about some of those physiological changes and declines, but will focus more on places where the lines don’t slope as much or how a person can alter that decline and how Carstensen’s Socioemotional Selectivity Theory of Aging plays out in

practice. LEARN MORE

KDHE Secretary Stanek is seeking information related to Health Information Exchange (HIE) participation in Kansas

We’ve been asked to assist in identifying long term care providers in Kansas that are not currently participating in a Health Information Exchange (HIE).

To help with this effort, we’re asking members to take a brief survey to let us know whether or not your community participates in an HIE.

Please take a few moments to complete our short survey.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE

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.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE

Don’t Miss Out: Submit Your Intent to Apply by November 13

The clock is ticking! The 2026 National Quality Award Intent to Apply is open, and the deadline is fast approaching: November 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM CT. Submitting your ITA is a simple but powerful step that sets your team up for success. READ MORE

Complete the Bronze Award application from beginning to end with coaching support along the way from expert facilitators at our Virtual Bronze Quality Award Workshop. More details can be found by clicking here.

CMS Releases CY 2026 Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

Late on Friday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule establishing final payment rate under the Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other policy updates for Calendar Year (CY) 2026. The rule will become effective for items and services beginning on January 1, 2026.

AHCA/NCAL has reviewed the final rule and developed a detailed summary outlining key provisions and impacts on members. Please note this is for members only and requires an AHCA/NCAL log-in to view.

READ THE SUMMARY

Key points from the final rule include:

A 3.26 percent increase in the base conversion factor for Medicare Part B services such as outpatient therapy services furnished by SNF providers.
Revised telehealth provisions that help to assure more timely and consistent AHCA/NCAL member resident access to medical services in their residence 24/7/365.
Removal of all time-based outpatient therapy codes from the proposed efficiency adjustment list.

CMS has also shared a fact sheet about the final rule, a press release, and a fact sheet on the Medicare Shared Savings Program changes in the CY 2026 PFS final rule.

CMS Issues Updated Memo on Surveys During the Shutdown

Also on Friday, CMS issued an additional revision to a previously released memo on its contingency plans during the federal government shutdown. In the updated memo, CMS is now allowing survey revisits for discretionary denial of payments that are in effect. Learn more in our updated blog post. READ MORE

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

Even if you are living under a rock or have been on an extended vacation to outer space, you know the Federal government is “shutdown”, meaning limited to “essential operations”. It is a bit risky to address the situation because, hopefully this fiasco will come to an end sooner rather than later, but nursing facilities should be putting some safety nets in place until the shutdown is over, and everyone goes back to work. READ MORE

Round the Clock Respiratory Services

Recover-Care Heartland is proud to announce Round the Clock Respiratory Services at Meadowbrook in Gardner. The ribbon cutting and Grand Opening was held October 28, 2025 and welcomed in a new era of respiratory services, including ventilator dependent care. Click here for more information about the many services they offer. Congratulations to Recover-Care Heartland and Meadowbrook!

Education Spotlight

Assisted Living Lunch and Learn: A Deeper Look at FCS, NSA, and HSP

December 1, 2025

9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Overland Park, KS

Join us for an interactive Lunch and Learn with Joan Hudson, RN-BC, LNHA, focused on mastering the Functional Capacity Screen (FCS) and developing strong Negotiated Service Agreements (NSA) and Health Service Plans (HSP). Learn how to accurately complete the FCS, navigate gray areas, and confidently document your findings. Then, discover how to translate assessment results and resident preferences into thorough, compliant NSAs and HSPs. Perfect for Operators and Nurses working together to meet KDADS requirements in all State Licensed Only settings, including Home Plus.

Click here for more details.