KHCA/KCAL Update 12/12/25

December 12, 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

855 Revalidation Deadline Suspension - Official Notice

We wanted to bring to your attention that CMS has issued official guidance related to the indefinite suspension of the off-cycle 855 revalidation deadline. That notification can be found here: SNF Attachment Public Subreg Guidance 120925

Contained in these revised instructions is the following: THE JANUARY 1, 2026, SNF APPLICATION SUBMISSION DUE DATE HAS BEEN INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED. FOR THE TIME BEING, THERE IS NO SUBMISSION DEADLINE. CMS WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN FUTURE UPDATES TO THIS GUIDANCE. READ MORE

A Message from KDHE: 2025-2026 Influenza Season: Influenza A Subtyping Guidance

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued a Kansas Health Alert Network (KS-HAN) advisory on January 17, 2025 to inform clinicians and laboratories of sporadic human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses amid high levels of seasonal influenza activity. At that time, KDHE recommended subtyping all influenza A specimens among hospitalized patients and increasing efforts at clinical laboratories to identify non-seasonal influenza. KDHE is updating this recommendation ahead of peak influenza season. READ MORE

Recommendations for Subtyping Influenza A Specimens From Hospitalized Patients

Medicaid pays 82 cents on the dollar. That hurts these nursing homes most

New research adds to growing concerns about how Medicaid underpayments can undermine nursing home care, demonstrating state payments’ influence on facility-level spending on staffing and operational needs. READ MORE

CMS Updates Medicare Part B Therapy Code List for 2026

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated the annual therapy code list that affects therapists (physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists), physicians, certain non-physician practitioners, and other providers billing Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) for therapy services. READ MORE

More Than 1 In 4 US Adults Have Risk Factors For Severe RSV Amid Limited Vaccine Uptake, Study Suggests

The American Journal of Managed Care (12/11, Kaltwasser, 4K) reports a study found that "a significant percentage of adults in the United States have at least one risk factor for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), even as eligibility for the RSV vaccine – and vaccine uptake – remain limited." The research team observed that "28.0% of adults had at least one diagnosed risk factor for severe RSV." The study was published in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.

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As part of our ongoing efforts to provide the best website and services possible, AHCA would like your feedback via online survey.

This short survey only takes a few minutes, and your feedback is invaluable to helping improve their platform.

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

Don’t Miss the 2026 National Quality Award Application Deadline

Next year marks a special milestone – the 30th anniversary of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program! For three decades, this program has helped long term and post-acute care providers strengthen their systems, improve outcomes, and celebrate excellence in care.

If you are planning to apply for a 2026 National Quality Award, please remember that applications are due by January 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM CT. READ MORE

What Do You Want to See from Provider Magazine?

Thank you for relying on Provider to deliver crucial information and insights about the long term care profession. To ensure we keep meeting your needs, the Provider team needs your input.

Help shape Provider in 2026 by taking this quick and easy survey before Dec 19. Responses are confidential (unless you choose to share your contact information).

Take the Provider survey now!

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

Providers Must Be Aware Of ICD-10-CM Updates

American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing curriculum development specialist Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, wrote in Provider Magazine (12/1, 151K) that "providers, coders, and payers must be aware of" the "essential" updates to the "ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting" because "they support high-quality patient care while ensuring precise documentation and reimbursement." The article "highlights the fiscal year (FY) 2026 changes most likely to impact the long term care setting that relate to conventions, general and chapter-specific coding guidelines, and the revised type 2 diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis codes."

CMS Releases New Minimum Data Set 3.0 Quality Measures User’s Manual Version v18.0

Park Place Live (12/5, Connole) reported CMS "has released the new Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User’s Manual Version v18.0," effective from Jan. 1, 2026, "which contains elements that skilled nursing providers need to be aware of." Explaining the update, "Alicia Cantinieri, managing director, clinical reimbursement & regulatory compliance, Zimmet Health care Services Group, answered some key questions." In order "to ready for the changes," AHCA "said providers can monitor their Five-Star Preview reports when available on iQIES."

The AI and Clinical Practice

The AI & Clinical Practice education program is now available on ahcancalED. The AI and Clinical Practice education program was developed by the AHCA Clinical Practice Committee to help long term care providers understand the current use and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the clinical setting along with the risk and benefits to this advanced technology. READ MORE

Registration is free to KHCA/KCAL members.

KMAP Web Update

The KMAP website has been updated with the following:

General Bulletin 25275 regarding KMMS Maintenance Downtime – December 12-15, 2025
General Bulletin 25280 regarding New Provider Specialty for Provider
Type 32

Manual Updates

In keeping with current policies and procedures, the following manuals have been updated on the Provider Manuals page of the KMAP website:

Pharmacy Fee-for-Service Provider Manual (related to General Bulletin 25280)
Professional Fee-for-Service Provider Manual (related to General Bulletin 25280)

Education Spotlight

Aging Services Day

Mark your calendar for Aging Services day, January 21, 2026.

Aging Services Day is a collaborative event put together by Kansas Health Care Association/Kansas Center for Assisted Living, LeadingAge Kansas and Kansas Adult Care Executives where Long Term Care Providers gather at the State Capitol to champion the needs of our elderly in Kansas. We will meet in the morning for education at The Beacon then go to the Capitol for a full afternoon of legislative advocacy on issues that are crucial to the LTC Profession with our Kansas Legislators. It’s a powerful opportunity to allow your voice to be heard and influence positive change for LTC providers and the population we care for. Be part of the movement for better aging services. READ MORE

This event is sponsored by: