CMS Releases Revised Guidance for the LTC Facility Assessment

Tuesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the revised guidance for the Long-term Care Facility Assessment regulation (QSO-24-13-NH), as part of the federal staffing mandate finalized last month. 

The revised regulatory requirements have been moved from 42 CFR 483.70 to 42 CFR 483.71. Existing regulations at 42 CFR 483.70(f) through (q) have been re-designated as paragraphs (e) through (p), respectively. The revised guidance notes that surveyors should determine whether a facility assessment contains the required components under the regulation; they should not evaluate the quality of the assessment. 

The revision to the facility assessment regulation at F838 must be implemented by August 8, 2024.

Reminder: new rules from HHS/OCR regarding Nondiscrimination in Health Care and Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability

• Nondiscrimination in Health Care: Blog Post and Member Summary
• Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability: Blog Post

Members Only Nurse Advisory Call & Facility Standards Call

We will not have our Nurse Advisory and Facility Standards call as normally scheduled this month. We hope you are joining us in Manhattan at the Nurse Leadership Conference instead! Below you can still find the latest survey findings from Linda Farrar.

Survey Findings

Reflections

FACE of Kansas Scholarship for KHCA/KCAL CNA’s wanting to become CMA’s

The Foundation for Aging and Caring of Elders of Kansas Inc. (FACE of Kansas) is pleased to offer the FACE of Kansas Education Scholarship Program. FACE will award $500 scholarships to qualified future CMA’s who are interested in enrolling in a KDADS approved CMA course in the state of Kansas. Potential recipients must have worked as a CNA for at least 6 months in a KHCA/KCAL member building and plan to continue a career in the Long Term Care Profession.

FACE of Kansas is a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of the long-term care homes of Kansas through professional opportunities and education for long-term care providers.



The Foundation for Aging and Care of Elders of Kansas, Inc. (FACE of Kansas) was established in 2006 to provide a community organization to promote quality care in Kansas adult care homes. FACE of Kansas seeks to improve the quality of care and services, and the quality of life for elderly and disabled Americans, through opportunities under which members may exchange ideas and obtain education to improve the knowledge, abilities, and standing of the adult care home profession. Only one scholarship per facility may be awarded per year.

Questions about the scholarship can be directed to khca@khca.org. The criteria and application form can be found by clicking here.

An Update on Rates

• HCBS rates for July 1, 2024 (FY 2025) have been posted. Click here for a complete listing.

• Nursing home rates will be revised once again due to a mistake in blending fourth quarter and first quarter CMIs. The new rates will be published this Thursday, June 20, 2024. What we learned from KDADS is that overall, the average rate will increase $0.37. This is, however, only an average. For homes that will see a negative impact of over $5.00 per day, KDADS will be reaching out to those individuals directly. Please contact Linda MowBray if you have additional questions.

See the message below from Myers and Stauffer:

"The rates published in the June 6, 2024 Kansas Register included preliminary CMI data rather than final CMI data for the 1/1/24 quarter. The final CMI data reflects payer source updates submitted by providers and any amended assessment information submitted through CMS. Therefore the impact to each provider is not uniform. We are working with KDADS to post an updated final rate list in the June 20^th Kansas Register."

Dave Halferty

Senior Manager

PH: 785.228.6700 | PH: 800.255.2309

www.myersandstauffer.com

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

AHCA/NCAL Trend Tracker was updated this past week. It contains full 2023 information on Quality Measures. For our KHCA members, there is some eye-opening data available. This information reflects data for all 4 quarters of calendar year 2023 (January 23-December 23). READ MORE 

From the Office of the State Fire Marshal: Territory Maps for Inspections

• Click here for the Inspector Map territory map – we have 20 inspectors located through out now.
• Click here for the Inspector II – this group does routine inspection plus plans review and this is their territories.
• Click here for the supervisor map and who they are responsible for – each field supervisor now has 5 field staff. 

Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks Related to Medication Errors

7/9/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management

7/16/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Joint Provider Fire Marshal

7/22/24 - 8:30AM-4:00PM - Topeka

7/22/24 - 8:30AM-4:00PM - Wichita/Virtual

Assisted Living CNA/CMA Boot Camp

7/26/24 - 8:30AM-4:00PM Topeka, KS

Click here for more details.