KHCA/KCAL Update 7/18/25

July 18, 2025

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

Congratulations to Linda MowBray, President/CEO for being named a 2025 Women of Excellence Honoree!

Every year, YWCA Northeast Kansas proudly celebrates bold, visionary women who are making a powerful impact in our communities—and this year is no exception.

Out of an inspiring group of nominations, 24 incredible women have been selected as our 2025 Women of Excellence Honorees!

Congratulations, Linda!

Join the #ProgressParade: Celebrate, Share, and Support Residents’ Journey Through Care

AHCA/NCAL is proud to announce the start of our #ProgressParade. This new social media campaign celebrates residents and patients who reach meaningful milestones in their therapy program. It’s a powerful way to showcase the many ways that residents and patients thrive within long term care.

The purpose of this campaign is to celebrate patients and residents. The #ProgressParade campaign will put their story front and center, highlighting milestones, resilience, and success that happens in long term care. Whether it’s a patient taking their first step post-surgery or a resident regaining their confidence through therapy, these are moments of celebration.

By sharing these uplifting stories and celebrating residents and patients, we can raise awareness for the incredible work happening in nursing homes, shift public perception, and advocate for policies that truly support those we serve. READ MORE

Share Your Story

Every day, long term care residents, caregivers, family members and community members are doing extraordinary things. To showcase these efforts and the unique individuals in long term care, we want to hear your stories.

Your story could be featured on AHCA/NCAL’s social media channels and other campaigns when submitted here.
Your story could be featured on KHCA/KCAL's social media channels and other campaigns when submitted here or tag us on your social media channels and we are happy to share!

QAPI Certification & Scholarship Opportunity

During today’s NAC & Facility Standards call, Linda Farrar highlighted the QAPI Professional Certification Course offered through AHCA/NCAL. This course is a valuable resource for individuals looking to deepen their knowledge in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI).

You can find more details and register for the course by clicking the link below:

QAPI Certification Course Information

This course is also eligible for scholarship support through the Joan Hamel Scholarship, which provides funding for nurses with a matching contribution from their facility.

For information on this and other KHCA/KCAL scholarship opportunities, please visit:

KHCA/KCAL Scholarship Funds

Please share with any team members who may benefit from this opportunity!

Follow Up from Today's NAC & Facility Standards Call

Skilled Nursing Facility Validation Program: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

MLN Connects Newsletter: July 17, 2025

News

Compliance

Ostomy Supplies: Prevent Claim Denials

Claims, Pricers & Codes

Core-Based Statistical Area: Revised ZIP Code Files

Publications & Multimedia

In Case You Missed It

UPDATE: CMS Extends Mandatory SNF Provider Enrollment Revalidation Deadline to January 1, 2026

AHCA has received notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that the agency is extending the deadline for the mandatory SNF provider enrollment off-cycle revalidation from August 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026. AHCA has been advocating for relief on these extensive new reporting requirements since they were announced in late 2024 and will continue to do so. CMS will be issuing formal public notice in the coming days on this extension.

Skilled nursing facility (SNF) providers enrolled in Medicare or dually enrolled in Medicare/Medicaid must submit a mandatory off-cycle provider enrollment revalidation by the specified deadline–or risk having their enrollment suspended or revoked. This extension does not eliminate the reporting requirement, but does allow more time for providers to work through the various data collection and data submission processes. Providers can continue to submit the Form 885A revalidation transactions between now and January 1, 2026.

AHCA will also use this five-month delay to continue to advocate for additional reporting burden relief.

We will provide further updates as they become available.

For assistance submitting this paperwork, access AHCA and CMS resources in this previous blog pos t.

CMS Proposes Physician Payment Rule to Significantly Cut Spending Waste, Enhance Quality Measures, and Improve Chronic Disease Management for People with Medicare

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would increase quality care for Medicare recipients while significantly reducing unnecessary spending. The calendar year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule would advance primary care management through new quality measures, reduce waste and unnecessary use of skin substitutes, and introduce a new payment model focused on improving care for chronic disease management. READ MORE

Upcoming PBJ Submission Deadline and iQIES Service Center Availability Reminder

Due to the Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) quarterly submission deadline on August 14, 2025, the iQIES Service Center is anticipating a significant increase in the volume of calls and emails. READ MORE

Experts Warn Of Unintended Consequences Of OBBBA For Long-Term Care

Skilled Nursing News (7/15, Siddiqi) reports, "The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has unintended consequences, with more tailwinds than headwinds, for nursing homes and other long-term care, placing greater burdens on states," according to experts who "spoke at a webinar on Tuesday...about the impact of OBBBA on long-term care." For instance, by capping and freezing certain provider taxes, "OBBBA limits how much money states have to support their health care systems, and for that reason industry advocacy groups, including" AHCA/NCAL, "do not support cutting provider taxes."

McKnight’s Senior Living (7/16, Bonvissuto) reports the panel discussion hosted by ATI Advisory also highlighted "what the recently signed bill means for home- and community-based services and long-term services and supports," including Medicaid policy. According to the article, NCAL "notes that ‘a small minority of state Medicaid programs do not cover services in assisted living.’"

Medicare Rate for Physicians to Increase by 2.5% in 2026 under CMS’ Proposed Rule

Average payment rates are set to increase by 2.5% under the proposed 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Monday. READ MORE

CMS To Begin Data Collection For New Skilled Nursing Validation Program This Fall

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (7/14, Marselas) reports, "A new skilled nursing facility validation program could be the ‘tip of the iceberg’ in verifying provider quality measurements and could lead to reduced incentives, reimbursement experts warned this week." This month, CMS "quietly posted new details about the program," which, the article adds, is "essentially...an audit of MDS-based measures that feed the skilled nursing Quality Reporting and Value-Based Purchasing programs." The agency "said data collection will begin this fall to ‘ensure accurate quality data’ for the fiscal year 2025 performance period – affecting 10% of nursing homes per year."

Get Ready for the 2026 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Awards

AHCA/NCAL is pleased to announce the opening of the 2026 National Quality Award Program application cycle. This is a special year, as 2026 marks the Program’s 30th anniversary! Don’t miss your chance to join your peers on this quality journey as we celebrate three decades of excellence. READ MORE

Your Top Line on LTC Trend Tracker: Projected Impact of Five-Star Survey Changes

The 2025 third quarter edition of Your Top Line was recently released for skilled nursing members. This report shows your projected two-cycle survey score and state ranking on July 30, 2025.

Background

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on June 18th that it will be changing the survey cycles and weights with July’s Care Compare refresh. While CMS is dropping the third standard survey, they are keeping three years of complaint and infection control focused surveys. READ MORE

If you need help downloading your report, please e-mail Jennafer Sumner at jsumner@khca.org

REMINDER! 2025 Staff Recognition Program: Now is the time to nominate your staff and volunteers!

This is your opportunity to recognize the outstanding staff and volunteers who dedicate themselves to caring for the elders of our great state. Our annual awards ceremony is just one way we celebrate the compassion, commitment, and excellence they bring to their work every day. We deeply appreciate the time you take out of your busy schedule to submit a nomination—your effort helps shine a light on those who truly make a difference.

Winners will be honored at our Annual Convention and Trade Show on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Deadline to submit nominations is Wednesday, August 13th (NO EXCEPTIONS!)

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Save the date for the 75th Annual Convention & Trade Show!

More info coming soon! Please note the Tuesday-Thursday dates. (A change from the normal Wednesday-Friday)

🎉 Join us for the 75th Annual KHCA/KCAL Convention & Trade Show!

📍 Kansas Star Event Center

🗓 September 16–18, 2025

We’re excited to celebrate 75 years of excellence in long-term care! The KHCA/KCAL Annual Convention and Trade Show is packed with valuable education, networking, recognition events, and a full day dedicated to vendors in the industry.

Click here to learn more.

Education Spotlight

Fire and Smoke Door Inspections - 90 Minute Live Webinar

July 23, 2025 1:30pm - 3pm

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.

A Certificate of Completion for Training for Swinging Door Inspections will be provided to all attendees who complete the 90-minute webinar. READ MORE