July 1, 2024

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.

The Latest News

Member Celebrates 20 Years!

KHCA/KCAL attended Brookdale Rosehill’s 20^th Anniversary celebration on Thursday, June 27^th. There was fun had by all with dinner, games and a DJ, they hit it out of the park! Congratulations on 20 years!

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

AHCA/NCAL will hold a webinar series focused on workforce-related matters impacting long term care (LTC) providers
OHSA prohibits consumption of food and drink at nurses’ stations or clinical areas
CMS released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid & CHIP
The Supreme Court posted a ruling that may very well affect CMS certified facilities significantly
CDC has now issued new guidance on RSV vaccines & recommendations

Click here to read more.

A Message from the Office of the State Fire Marshal

Emergency Plan/Fire Drill Requirements

As the importance of safety in assisted living facilities continues to gain recognition, ensuring compliance with regulations such as those set forth by Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office remains imperative. Among the various safety protocols mandated by KSFM, emergency procedures and fire drills stand out as critical exercises that directly impact the well-being of residents and staff alike. Understanding and implementing these requirements not only ensures regulatory compliance, but also enhances the overall safety and preparedness of assisted living communities. READ MORE

With the ‘Wicked Witch’ of regulation dead, nursing home staffing rule could follow

The Supreme Court’s landmark decision Friday revoking broad deference to federal agencies is likely to bolster legal arguments against a federal nursing home staffing rule, experts told McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.

The ruling reverses a long-standing doctrine that has given regulatory agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, broad discretion to set rules for the entities they cover. READ MORE

Also reported by Skilled Nursing News

We need your help!

Our AIT Program continues to grow, and we need preceptors!

Current area of needs:

Seneca – one
Wichita area – two
Kansas City area – four
Labette County area - one

If you are a current Preceptor we would love to have you on our list. Please contact Teresa with your Preceptor number at tkeating@khca.org. Are you interested in becoming an AIT Preceptor and shaping the future of the profession? Our team is happy to walk you through that process. Click here for the KDADS information and give Teresa a call at 785-267-6003.

2025 Webinar Planning

As we look forward to education planning for 2025 we will once again utilize our partnership with Proactive Medical for webinars. Please take a moment to complete the survey included here about topics of interest to you and your entire team. Please consider all areas of the building when responding.

AHCA Leads Coalition in Pushing Back Against CMP Enforcement Proposal

Thursday, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and 11 other national organizations sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure urging the agency to withdraw its proposal to increase enforcement through excessive civil monetary penalties (CMPs). The proposal was laid out in the FY 2025 Medicare PPS Proposed Rule for SNFs, which is anticipated to be finalized by early August. CMS proposes to layer CMPs on both a per instance and per diem basis, as well as apply a look back period beyond the last standard survey—policies it does not impose on any other health care setting.

AHCA’s coalition letter argues that the proposed revisions are inconsistent with current statute, congressional intent, and agency authority. Moreover, it will do nothing to improve quality care and take precious resources away from facilities that need to invest in their workforce and care services. AHCA will continue to push back against this misguided proposal.

Read the letter here.

Hospice Room and Board Reimbursed at 100% of Nursing Facility Rate

Effective with dates of service on and after July 1, 2024, Medicaid will reimburse hospice providers 100% of the room and board rate for eligible hospice members residing in nursing facilities. The coverage criteria, limitations, and billing guidelines will remain the same. READ MORE

CDC Issues New Guidance on RSV Vaccines for Older Adults, Nursing Homes

In anticipation of the upcoming respiratory virus season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is revising its guidelines for the RSV vaccine and recommending that older adults in nursing homes receive the vaccine. READ MORE

CMS CPI/PEOG Inspections

The following information was sent out via KOTA for all NF, NFMH and LTCU providers.

"We have received reports from providers that visitors have approached their facilities claiming to be with CMS sent out to verify if the facility is in operation or not. CMS has confirmed there are individuals from a contract company, Deloitte working for CMS CPI/PEOG.

Inspectors will be looking to conduct an investigation to see if a facility is operational or not. Feel free to reference the Medicare Program Integrity Manual Chapter 10, Section 6.20 if you would like to read up on the expectations. The inspector will ask questions if there’s something they are unable to verify on their own. Generally, they do not need assistance and are in and out in less than 10 minutes.

At this time the only contracting company working on this in Kansas is Deloitte."

Join HQIN July 8 or July 17 to Learn CMS Required Regulatory Components Due by August 8!

Join HQIN on July 8 or July 17 where they will focus on the new facility assessment requirements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). You will not want to miss this opportunity to learn what needs to be done by August 8 to ensure your facility assessment meets all required regulatory components. You only need to attend one of these webinars. READ MORE

American Hospital Association Voices Support In Overturning Federal Staffing Mandate

Skilled Nursing News (6/26, Siddiqi) reports, "The American Hospital Association (AHA) is lending its voice to the fight against the minimum staffing mandate, and joining hands with nursing home organizations as well as a coalition of lawmakers to overturn the federal government’s rule." In a letter sent to lawmakers Monday, "AHA boosted the bipartisan bid to halt the staffing mandate through the Congressional Review Act (CRA)." Officials with "the American Health Care Association (AHCA) praised AHA’s backing of legislative efforts to defeat the staffing mandate." AHCA Government Relations Senior Vice President Clif Porter said, "This mandate will not only worsen the workforce crisis for nursing homes, but it will also cause a negative ripple effect on the entire health care system as nursing homes are forced to limit admissions or close their doors altogether." Porter added, "We appreciate AHA’s support and will keep at the fight to overturn this unrealistic and out-of-touch mandate."

Lawmakers say CMS should ban Medicare Advantage’s use of AI to deny care

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should consider banning artificial intelligence from being used to deny Medicare Advantage coverage pending a “systematic review,” a group of 49 congressional leaders is urging. READ MORE

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.

Education Spotlight

Webinar: Fire and Smoke Door Inspections

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

10:30AM - 12:00PM

Kenn Daily, LNHA with Elder Care Systems Group has prepared this door inspection training and an inspection form to be used in meeting the annual fire door inspection requirement. The training packet has been developed to provide guidance and training to ensure that individuals inspecting and testing doors are prepared and qualified.

This webinar is available LIVE only and will not be recorded for distribution.

Click here for more details.

Upcoming Education