A Message from the President & CEO Linda MowBray: Our Kansas Commitment

The Legislature is done for 2025, but work continues with Interim Committees

Over the next few weeks, before the start of the Legislative Interim Committee meetings, KHCA will be working with LeadingAge Kansas and KACE to discuss what changes we want to work to remake the NF rate methodology including incentives ahead of next session. We want to create a system that provides reliable, stable and predictable funding so we are not forced to go back to the Legislature each year and plead for more money.

There will be a special Legislative committee meeting this summer where we will be able to discuss our ideas with key legislators and draft a funding bill prior to next year’s session. Additionally, we will be discussing the IDR process and transparency concerns.

We met with KDADS this week for our quarterly stakeholder meeting. Many documents and statistics from the first quarter of 2025 were reviewed. Click the links below to see those reports.

2025 YTD County Region Count

2025 YTD Comprehensive Revtag

2025 YTD - ALF-RHCF-HP

25Q1 Comprehensive Revtag

25Q1 - ALF-RHCF-HP

SLO Discharge Reporting 7.1.24 through 3.31.25

Quarter 1_2025 Licensure and Enforcement Update

January 2025 Complaint Intakes

February 2025 Complaint Intakes

March 2025 Complaint Intakes

ACH Resurvey Trends 2025

Of note, keep your eye out for the Sunflower Connection. It is expected to be out by the first of May. Highlights include introductions to the new regional survey managers and information on submitting IDR documentation online instead of providing paper copies. Good news for those of you who have had to make the last-minute drive to Topeka to ensure your materials were received on time.

We also met with KDH&Es Medicaid eligibility team. They are reporting that they currently have 52 nursing facility applications over 45 days old and 96 HCBS applications over 45 days old. If you are having issues with determinations, please reach out to us and we will try to facilitate a resolution.

Finally, KDH&E will begin sending out renewal reminders at 60 days instead of 30. In April, you will receive a list of individuals up for renewal by May 15, 2025, and a second list for redetermination that are due on June 15, 2025. KDH&E hopes this extra time will allow providers to assist their clients getting the application and documentation turned in on time.

Thank you for trusting us to be your voice in the legislature and with the State. As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you.

Linda MowBray, President/CEO

lmowbray@khca.org

(785) 267-6003

Follow Up Resources from today’s NAC and Facility Standards Call

• AHCA/NCAL Infection Preventionist Hot Topic Brief: Measles Risk in the Long-Term Care Setting
• Measles & MMR Vaccination Information for Older Patients
• Enhanced Barrier Precautions Toolkit

Republican contingent’s stance against Medicaid cuts gaining traction

Congress may be on break for the Easter holiday, but continued behind-the-scenes maneuvers are making deep cuts to Medicaid appear less likely — sparking cautious optimism among aging services providers.

A dozen House Republicans on Monday sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and the chair of the committee that controls Medicaid spending saying they “cannot and will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations.” READ MORE

Do You Need to Demonstrate Gerontological Nursing Competency?

Save $200 through May 15, 2025 with promo code: GROWRNS

• Significantly boosts experienced LTC RNs gerontological nursing knowledge.
• 94% first time pass rate on the optional additional ANCC Board Certification Exam.
• Online 24/7 & flexible with up to 12 months to complete.

Click here to learn more.

Click here to learn how a scholarship can help with cost.

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

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

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!

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.

Assisted Living Conference

4/25/25 - 8:30AM - 4:00PM

Click here for more details.

Webinar: Building a Practical Preparedness Plan for Assisted Living

5/5/25 - 10:30AM - 12:00PM

Click here for more details.

Webinar: F656 – Develop & Implement Comprehensive Care Plans

5/13/25 - 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Advantage Wound Care Certification Course

5/14/25 & 5/15/25 - 8:30AM - 5:00PM

Click here for more details.

Click here for more details about the scholarship.

Webinar: Reducing Litigation Risk for Elopement

5/20/25 - 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Nurse Leadership Conference

6/25/25 & 6/26/25

Click here for more details.

Administrator in Training (AIT) Program

Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.



Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org