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. |
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As a 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.
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Operator Registration Renewals Have been sent. Renewal Period Opens March 15th
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Attention Nursing Facilities - Are You Using Contract Labor? If so, This Webinar Applies to You!
Listen to legal experts on how the new final rule will impact your workplace as long term care provider, and get your pressing questions answered.
Learning Objectives
· Understand what this new final rule means to you as a long term care provider and how to limit potential risk for employee misclassification claims
· Understand how this new final rule differs from the guidance provided in the 2021 Independent Contractor Rule
· Learn more on the ongoing legislative efforts around worker classification issues
· Prepare to meet the compliance effective date
Handouts can be found here.
Listen to the recorded webinar here. (AHCA login required.)
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Members Only Nurse Advisory Committee (NAC) and Facility Standards Call – Friday, March 15, 2024 10:00 AM - 11:00AM
Join us at 10:00AM where Cynthia Pendleton, Facility Standards VP and Linda Farrar, KHCA Clinical Consultant will review recent SNF survey findings followed by Nurse Advisory Committee President, Teresa Coover to discuss Nursing Scholarships, hot topics, and the latest happenings.
Microsoft Teams Meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 279 017 017 663
Passcode: rTtyXt
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AHCA/NCAL Working To Advocate For Patients, Providers On MA Reform
Provider Magazine (3/11, Kaldy, 151K) reported, "A flurry of television commercials, often featuring celebrities, brought Medicare Advantage (MA) to the attention of millions of Americans with promises of great and innovative benefits." But, "after enrollments surged, reality didn’t necessarily live up to the hype, and MA plans have come under scrutiny by the government and various stakeholder organizations, including the" AHCA/NCAL. While "these efforts have resulted in some positive changes," the article said that "more needs to be done. In the meantime, understanding how to work with these plans and advocate for your residents can make a difference." AHCA/NCAL "has identified several MA-related challenges for providers," and the organization "continues to follow developments related to MA and is working to advocate for patients and providers." AHCA/NCAL Reimbursement Policy Senior Vice President Martin Allen, CPA, said, "Providers are seeing lower reimbursements with MA plans, as well as numerous restrictions on authorized stays. ... In the last two years, there has been more regulatory activity directed at MA plans, which is good news for our residents and providers. But more work is needed to ensure that MA plans follow the new rules, and we are staying on top of that." Furthermore, AHCA/NCAL Reimbursement Policy and Population Health Vice President Nisha Hammel said it is important to help patients "understand that you will make assessments and recommendations and advocate for them but that you are not the final decision-maker. ... We want to ensure they have successful outcomes. We can help by making sure that beneficiaries are aware of their rights and how to advocate for themselves. Then we can support them with their appeals as necessary."
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Have you had Medicaid Applications lost with KDHE?
Please take a moment to let us know by using the link below:
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Shape the Future: Register for Congressional Briefing 🏛 🏛
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Washington, DC| June 3-4, 2024
Together We Have the Power to Make a Difference!
Experience the power of advocacy firsthand at Congressional Briefing in Washington, DC. Meet personally with your elected Representatives in Congress and learn to effectively engage with policymakers. With AHCA/NCAL's guidance, you will gain the skills to advocate for critical issues facing the long term care industry and make your voice heard where it matters most.
In addition to learning about the latest legislative and policy developments, you will also have the opportunity to network with colleagues, hear from renowned speakers, and earn Continuing Education credits.
Register now and join us in Washington, DC in June for this dynamic two-day event.
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Change Healthcare Update: CMS Approves Advanced Payments
Electronic Payments Expected Back Online as Early as March 15
As shared previously, UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s technology subsidiary Change Healthcare announced that its systems were adversely affected by a security incident a few weeks ago. AHCA/NCAL has advocated that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) take specific actions in response to this issue. We’re pleased to report that over the weekend, CMS has taken steps to expand financial relief opportunities for impacted providers, consistent with what AHCA/NCAL recommended.
Providers should stay alert for messages from federal, state, or commercial payers and billing software vendors regarding these new opportunities, or contact their member/provider help desk for specific guidance.
Additionally, UnitedHealth Group announced a limited expansion of its financial relief program and offered some additional updates on when services would be restored.
Below is a summary of the recent announcements and relief options currently available to providers.
Medicare Part A and Part B Payer Relief Options READ MORE
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House Committee Approves Bill To Block CMS’ Proposed Minimum Staffing Mandate
McKnight’s Senior Living (3/11, Gaivin) reports, "The House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee voted Wednesday to pass along to Congress a bill that would block the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed minimum staffing mandate for nursing homes." Committee Chair Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) "said in opening remarks of a mark-up hearing that the staffing mandate would force nursing homes around the country to downsize or close." The article adds that 45% "of SNF participants in the American Health Care Association’s recent State of the Sector Report said that they are ‘either operating in the red or barely breaking even.’" The survey also "found that despite providers’ best efforts, staffing shortages are a real concern, especially as post-acute care providers await finalization of the CMS mandate." Groups including the National Center for Assisted Living "have expressed concerns that the mandate would affect other providers on the long-term care continuum, because assisted living and other providers must compete with nursing homes for some of the same workers."
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Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities published their February 2024 Newsletter and one of the articles in the newsletter discussed the value of a Behavioral Health Needs Assessment that could be an adjunct to each facility’s Facility Assessment.
From the article, “The COE-NF’s new Behavioral Health Needs Assessment can complement the required annual facility-wide assessment. The assessment was designed to bridge any behavioral health gaps not addressed or identified in the required annual facility-wide assessment.
Current guidance from the CMS State Operations Manual Appendix PP (Ftags 740-745) references assessment of residents' behavioral health needs and staff training and skills within the required annual facility-wide assessment. READ MORE
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Assisted Living Conference
April 19, 2024
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Lawrence, KS
A full day of education for those working in the Assisted Living, Residential Health Care and Home Plus settings.
Education Topics Include:
- Igniting Creative Courage – Opening Keynote
- Update from the Office of the State Fire Marshal
- Enhancing Senior Care Through Collaborative Partnerships – Jill Schewe, NCAL
- A New Approach to Recruitment and Retention
- Navigating Challenging Personalities
- Creative Engagement
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Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for Pain Management
3/19/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Joint Provider Surveyor Training
March 19 - Topeka, KS
March 20 - Wichita, KS
March 20 - Virtual
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Adult Care Home Operators Course
3/27 - 4/8/24
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Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks Related to Quality of Care
4/9/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Leadership for Charge Nurses
4/16/24 - 9:30AM-3:15PM - Salina, KS
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Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for Elopement Risk and Incidents
4/16/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Webinar: Caring for a New Generation in Assisted Living
4/17/24 - 1:00PM-2:00PM
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Assisted Living Conference
4/19/24 - 8:00AM-4:00PM - Lawrence, KS
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Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.
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Kansas Health Care Association and the Kansas Center for Assisted Living
1100 SW Gage Blvd. | PO Box 4770 | Topeka, KS 66604
PH: 785-267-6003 FAX: 785-267-0833
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