May 22, 2024
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The Latest News
CMS updates spousal impoverishment standards

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday announced updated 2024 spousal impoverishment standards, which apply when married individuals seek coverage of certain long-term services and supports via the Medicaid program. READ MORE

Coalition Urges Congress To Pass Bill Expanding Assisted Living Access For Veterans

McKnight’s Senior Living (5/21, Bonvissuto) reports, "A coalition of long-term care, veterans and Alzheimer’s organizations joined in urging Congress to pass legislation expanding access to assisted living settings for eligible veterans." Four long-term care organizations including the National Center for Assisted Living "co-signed a letter May 15 with national Alzheimer’s and veterans’ organizations in asking House of Representatives and Senate leadership for support of HR 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health care and Benefits Improvement Act." The coalition’s letter stated the bill "authorizes the VA to offer assisted living settings for aging and disabled veterans who would otherwise require more expensive nursing home care, thus giving the veteran more options for how and where they can get the long-term care they need." 
Elevate Your Geriatric Care Competency for Less During the Gero Nurse Prep Sale
 
The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Registrants can save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep through June 15, 2024 with promo code RNPATH24 (all caps).

Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL in 2023 found compelling reasons to consider the Gero Nurse Prep course and ANCC Board certification for RNs. Nursing facilities with at least one ANCC Board certified RN experienced:   

  • Lower rehospitalization rates for short stay and long stay residents
  • Fewer deficiencies on average
  • Fewer Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations
  • More stars -- twice as likely to be a CMS 5-Star facility (44% versus 19%)

Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care, this curriculum provides comprehensive online training that leads to board certification in gerontological nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for RNs.  
In Case You Missed It
A Message from the Office of the State Fire Marshal

CMS Change of Interpretation on Posting of Codes near Locked Doors

In April of 2024, at the direction of the Kansas City office of CMS, our agency notified nursing home administrators that CMS had determined that posting of codes near cypher locked doors was prohibited. Our office objected to CMS both in writing and during meetings, but CMS overruled our concerns.

Recently, a group of nursing home advocates successfully appealed CMS determination. The KSFM is pleased to be able to announce that CMS has changed their determination and posting of codes near cypher locked doors is permitted in nursing home settings but may not ensure compliance with the Life Safety Code, as set forth in the content of an email from CMS Supervirsor Stephen Pelinski on 5/6/2024 below. READ MORE
Invitation to KDADS Waiver Renewal Input Sessions: Frail Elderly (FE) Waiver Renewal/ Physical Disability (PD) Waiver Renewal

You are cordially invited to participate in two upcoming virtual input sessions hosted by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). We are seeking your valuable feedback and ideas for the renewal of two important waivers:


These sessions are an excellent opportunity to hear preliminary plans and share your insights to help enhance the services provided under these waivers.
Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

This information was provided to the AHCA State Affiliate members last week. Please consider putting these extremely valuable presentations on your calendar. 

May 22, 2024, 12pm CST - CDC Townhall: Understanding Enhanced Barrier Precautions
June 5, 2024, 1pm CST – AHCA Hosts Enhanced Barrier Precautions Open Office Hour with the CDC

Click here for more information.
Education Spotlight
Nurse Leadership Conference

6/18/2024 11:00AM - 6/19/2024 4:00PM
Manhattan, KS

This special Nurse Leadership Conference sponsored by Tapestry Health is an opportunity for nurses working in the Long-Term Care setting to strengthen their leadership and clinical skills. Building strong leaders through education is essential to promoting a better quality of life for our residents. Meet new vendor partners and spend time networking and getting to know others that are doing the same valuable work that you’re doing. A networking event is in the works for the evening of June 18th. This will be a separate ticket event, so don’t forget to sign up. Let’s celebrate all that we’ve accomplished, together.

Education Topics Include:
  • The Magic of Connection for Leaders
  • Unlocking Behaviors; A Holistic Approach to Dementia Care
  • Work Smarter not Harder; Harnessing the Power of People and Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Leadership
  • Advance Care Planning and Effective Conversations about DNR
  • The Pitfalls of Documentation
  • Diagnosing Deeper, Root Cause Exploration for Nursing Excellence
  • Survey Prep; A review of common wound citations and how to avoid them
  • Regulatory Hot Topics and Open Discucssion
  • Plus a Nurse Advisory Committee Elections and a social and networking event at the Liquid Art Winery on the evening of June 18th.

Click here for more details.
Upcoming Education
Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks related to CPR

6/11/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
SSD Boot Camp

6/17/24 - 8:30AM-4:00PM
Topeka, KS

This class is full! Please email khca@khca.org to be placed on wait list.

Click here for more details.
Nurse Leadership Conference

6/18 - 6/19/24
Manhattan, KS

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for End-of-Life Care

6/18/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
RAC-CT Certification In-Person Workshop

6/25 - 6/27/24
Wichita, KS

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
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