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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KDHE Recommends CDC’s Respiratory Virus Updated Guidance for the general public
Please note that this updated guidance is NOT applicable to healthcare settings. KHCA/KCAL has confirmed with KDADS that our State Licensed only communities are considered to be healthcare settings.
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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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Momentum Against Mandates: U.S. House Ways And Means Committee Advances The Protecting America’s Seniors’ Access To Care Act
Today, AHCA/NCAL applauded the members of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for advancing the Protecting America’s Seniors’ Access to Care Act (H.R. 7513). The bill, first introduced by U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07), would prevent the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from finalizing its proposed federal staffing mandate for nursing homes. READ MORE
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Cybersecurity Alert: Change Healthcare
Federal Relief Efforts to Date and AHCA/NCAL’s Request for Audit Relief
As we informed you last week, on February 21, 2024, UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s technology subsidiary Change Healthcare announced that its systems were adversely affected by a security incident. At that time, we offered suggestions for providers to contact their claims processing technology vendors and payers for updates to determine if they were impacted, provided strategies to consider using existing processes for requesting Medicare accelerated payments, and we submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra requesting that HHS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) take specific actions in response to this issue.
Over the past two weeks, we have learned more about the breadth of the impact on long term and post-acute care community as most claims submissions and billing activities occur at month-end. Initially, it appeared that the risk for providers encountering claim processing activities and receiving payment was limited to providers who use software vendors integrated with Change Healthcare clearinghouse services. Since then, it’s been discovered that many payers, including some Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, some State Medicaid systems, and commercial payer claims processing and payment systems that also utilized Change Healthcare systems for certain activities could result in disruption of provider payments. READ MORE
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AHCA 2024 State Of The Sector Report Finds Nursing Home Industry Struggling To Rebuild Workforce, Recover From Pandemic Challenges
Skilled Nursing News (3/5, Stulick) reports, "Despite ongoing investments from operators, the nursing home industry is struggling to rebuild its workforce and recover from the pandemic." And "operators are concerned that the federal minimum staffing proposal, once finalized, will make operational challenges worse even as nursing homes limit admissions and are concerned about closures." These "findings were outlined in the American Health Care Association’s (AHCA) 2024 State of the Sector report released on Tuesday." AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson said in a statement that this report "demonstrates clearly what nursing home providers across the country already know: the ongoing labor shortage is nothing less than a crisis for our sector." Parkinson added, "Nursing homes want to strengthen their workforce, but they cannot do it alone. We need collaborative solutions, not one-size-fits-all mandates, to protect access to care for all seniors." If the proposed staffing mandate "is finalized as is, the sector would need to inject 100,000 more staff into the workforce at an annual cost of $7 billion, according to the report," and "AHCA anticipates 280,000 residents will be displaced."
McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (3/6, Henreckson) reports, "Of nearly 450 nursing home providers surveyed, two-thirds are concerned that escalating workforce challenges may force them to close their facility." And "more than 70% of nursing homes reported staffing levels lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic, with fully 99% saying they are hiring for open positions." According to the findings, "nursing homes have tried numerous tactics to increase interest in their open positions, such as raising wages (90%), offering signing bonuses (78%) and paying for staff’s education (69%). Despite these measures, 65% of facilities report needing 1 to 6 months to fill positions, while 15% say even 6 months is not enough."
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Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
Our state is no different from other states across the nation when it comes to deficiencies being written at F880 (Infection Control) related to linen requirements. AHCA also noted the number of deficiencies relate to laundry and linen requirements so they have provided a Tip Sheet. My clinical update this week includes that Tip Sheet. Feel free to share it with your team. READ MORE
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Nursing Home Leaders Send Joint Letter To Congress Urging Rejection Of Federal Minimum Staffing Proposal
Skilled Nursing News (3/1, Stulick) reported that "more than 1,000 nursing home leaders, along with associations" including AHCA/NCAL, "sent a joint letter to House Ways and Means Committee leaders to reject the federal minimum staffing proposal." This "letter, spearheaded by AHCA/NCAL, was sent late Thursday and signed by state partners and providers as well, urging support for the Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act (H.R. 5796) which would effectively stop the proposal." AHCA/NCAL Government Affairs Senior Vice President Clif Porter said in a statement, "Nursing homes are a critical part of our health care continuum, which is why the number of stakeholders speaking out against this flawed policy continues to grow. ... We are extremely proud to have led this effort and grateful for the support of these organizations." The group "strongly urged Congress to support the legislation, and in turn protect access to care for the country’s seniors."
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Upcoming Webinar: Independent Contractors Final Rule and LTC Provider Impact
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National Skilled Nursing Care Week® Resources & Exclusive Products Now Available
Celebrate 'Radiant Memories: A Tribute to the Golden Age of Radio' May 12-18, 2024
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is excited to announce that resources for this year’s National Skilled Nursing Care Week® (NSNCW), including the Planning Guide, marketing tools, and special products, are now available at NSNCW.org.
These materials are designed to assist you in planning, promoting, and celebrating NSNCW. Discover everything you need to make this week memorable for your residents, staff, and volunteers and to spread joy throughout the community.
Begin your NSNCW 2024 preparations today and help us create a week filled with unforgettable moments!
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Joint Provider Surveyor Training
Three Options to attend
March 19, 2024 (Topeka)
March 20, 2024 (Wichita)
March 20, 2024 (Virtual)
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Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks Related to Abuse and Neglect
3/12/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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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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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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