April 16, 2025

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The Latest News

SNF Off-Cycle Provider Enrollment Reporting Delayed Until August 1st

CMS has notified AHCA/NCAL that the mandatory off-cycle SNF provider enrollment revalidation deadline has been pushed back to August 1, 2025. An MLN article will be published soon with the formal announcement. READ MORE

As reported by McKnight's LTC

CDRN Community-Based Exercise Register for Operation Stronghold | April 17, 9-11:30AM

The Community Disaster Resiliency Network (CDRN), along with the MARC Health Care Coalition and the Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee (MEMC) invite you to participate in the 2025 Bi-State Community Based Organizations Virtual Tabletop Exercise (VTTX). This interactive online event will focus on strengthening the preparedness and response capabilities of our region's community-based organizations. READ MORE

Members Only Nurse Advisory Committee (NAC) and Facility Standards Call – Friday, April 18, 2025 10:00AM - 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, Michelle Novotny to discuss Nursing Scholarships, hot topics, and the latest happenings.

Latest Survey Findings

Reflections

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Upcoming CDC Open Office Hours

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Project Firstline, along with the National Infection Prevention Forum will host their monthly Open Office Hours on April 25, 2025. READ MORE

Upcoming iQIES Service Center Hold Times May Deadline Reminder

Due to the Payroll Based Journal quarterly deadline, the iQIES Service Center is projecting an increase in the volume of calls and emails between now and May 15, 2025. READ MORE

Kansas Age-Friendly Nursing Workforce Forum

June 9, 2025

Topeka, KS (Virtual Option Available)

10:00AM - 2:00PM

This learning event will join leaders and educators from nursing programs with directors and

administrators from nursing homes and long-term care facilities across Kansas to explore and plan for integrating age-friendly didactic and clinical education with the care of older adults who reside in care facilities. This collaborative partnership between education and employment is designed to increase the number of nurses who chose this practice after graduation. READ MORE

SNF QRP Provider Preview Reports Now Available in iQIES

CMS has updated the SNF Provider Preview Reports in iQIES. These reports contain quality measure performance scores that will be published on Nursing Home Care Compare for the July 2025 refresh. READ MORE

Now Available – AHCA Summary of FY26 SNF Proposed Payment Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last week issued the proposed rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2026 update. AHCA has reviewed the proposed rule and developed a summary outlining key provisions and impacts on members. Please note this is for members only and requires an AHCA/NCAL log-in to view.

As a reminder, the proposed rule:

Would increase SNF PPS rates by 2.8%, or approximately $997 million, beginning October 1, 2025. This is based on the proposed SNF market basket increase of 3.0%, plus a 0.6% market basket forecast error adjustment, and a negative 0.8% productivity adjustment.
Includes updates to PDPM ICD-10 code mappings and the SNF Quality Reporting Program. There were no proposed changes to the SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program for FY26, but future year changes are proposed for comment.
Includes a request for information (RFI) for streamlining regulations and reducing administrative burdens. In every Medicare payment rule issued last week, CMS announced this RFI to comply with President Trump’s Executive Order “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation.”

The proposed changes are detailed in the AHCA summary. Overall, we are encouraged by the proposed rule and look forward to submitting comments by June 29, 2025.

Please contact Martin Allen with any questions.

READ THE SUMMARY

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

In this month’s Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) Newsletter, much of the education provided centered around the fact that April is “Alcohol Awareness Month”. So what could that have to do with nursing homes anyway? They point out that this is a good time to “raise awareness and understanding of alcohol use and misuse”, which is a primary focus related to Substance Use Disorder, in the pending revisions to Appendix PP which are currently scheduled for April 28^th (THIS MONTH). Advice may be prepare for the changes, but please don’t hold your breath in case they extend the date again then perhaps make some revisions to the revisions. READ MORE

Dr. Mehmet Oz Shares Vision for CMS

As Dr. Mehmet Oz completes his first week as the 17th Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), he is sharing his agenda and vision for the agency. A cardiothoracic surgeon and former host of an award-winning TV show, he now leads the largest agency under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with a $1.7 trillion budget, tasked with delivering health outcomes for more than 160 million people. READ MORE

House Passes "Budget Blueprint" With Implied Medicaid Spending Cuts

M cKnight’s Senior Living (4/14, Bonvissuto) reports the House on Thursday "narrowly passed a budget blueprint that implies big spending cuts for Medicaid." The NCAL "told McKnight’s Senior Living that one in five assisted living residents relies on Medicaid, and any reductions would threaten optional Medicaid benefits, such as home- and community-based waiver programs." Additionally, the NCAL said, "States could be forced to further restrict eligibility or cap the number of individuals who can access this benefit, which would reduce choices and extend waiting lists for seniors and their families. Congress must protect seniors on Medicaid and support the entire long-term care continuum so individuals can access the care they need where and when they need it."

"Abrupt" CMS Termination Notices For Medicaid, Medicare Certification Of Nursing Homes On SFF List Have Surged Since Late February

Skilled Nursing News (4/11, Stulick) reported "Abrupt termination notices related to Medicaid and Medicare certification for nursing homes on the Special Focus Facilities (SFF) list have picked up dramatically as of late February, often occurring without warning or giving facilities the chance to demonstrate improvement." According to the story, "Attorneys familiar with the SFF process say turnover and reduction in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) staff may have something to do with the sudden termination notices."

Your invitation to hear Howard Kurtz at Congressional Briefing

June 9-10, 2025 | Capital Hilton | Washington, DC

Join us for an insightful keynote by Howard Kurtz at Congressional Briefing. With decades of experience as a distinguished journalist, Kurtz offers invaluable perspectives on today’s media landscape.

As the host of Media Buzz on FOX News, Kurtz covers a broad range of topics, including politics, technology, business, and culture. He is also a regular guest on The O'Reilly Factor and Special Report, and previously hosted CNN’s Reliable Sources for 15 years. In addition, he has held prominent roles as the Washington bureau chief for Newsweek and The Daily Beast, and as a reporter for The Washington Post.

Beyond hearing from thought leaders like Howard Kurtz, Congressional Briefing provides a unique opportunity for you to engage directly with policymakers, share your stories, and advocate for the issues that affect long term care. Register today!

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Education Spotlight

Advantage Wound Certification Course

May 14 - 15, 2025

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Wichita, KS

Early Bird Members $279 | Early Bird Non-Members $319

** Until April 30th

Members: The Nurse Advisory Committee has approved 16 full scholarships from the Joan Hamel Scholarship Fund for KHCA/KCAL nurses to attend. Learn more here.

Become an Advantage Certified Wound Nurse with this In Person Course.

Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Education