KHCA/KCAL Update 7/30/25

July 30, 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

Upcoming PBJ Deadline August 14

Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal data for April 1 – June 30, 2025, by August 14, 2025. Providers are encouraged to submit data early to allow sufficient time to review and make necessary corrections prior to the deadline. READ MORE

Budget Reconciliation Bill – Detailed Summary Now Available

AHCA/NCAL has developed a detailed summary of the “big, beautiful" budget reconciliation bill passed in early July. Please note the summary is available for members and requires a log in. READ MORE

Important Information about Electronic CLIA Certificates - Transition to Paperless

CMS is improving the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program by switching to electronic fee coupons and CLIA certificates. To take full advantage of these improvements, laboratories and providers that perform laboratory testing have until March 1, 2026, to switch to CMS email notifications and begin receiving electronic CLIA fee coupons and certificates. With this switch, CMS is moving to a completely electronic system. After this date, paper fee coupons and paper CLIA certificates will no longer be available.

By switching to electronic notifications, your laboratory will get:

Email notifications from CMS
Electronic fee coupons*
Electronic CLIA certificate - no more waiting for it to come in the mail*

*This does not apply to CLIA-exempt states or state licensure.

To switch, you must:

Provide written notification to your State Agency by email. Tip: Include your laboratory name, laboratory director or owner’s name, CLIA number, director or designee’s signature to help your State Agency make the switch.

-OR-

Contact your Accreditation Organization, if you’re an accredited laboratory. They can now add or update email addresses for the laboratories they survey.

-OR-

Fill out the CMS-116 application form. To switch to electronic notifications, check the box, “Receive notifications including electronic certificates via email.”

Reach out to your State Agency or Accreditation Organization for assistance. For more details, visit Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).

If you’ve already made the switch, we thank you. No further action is required.

Association releases first-ever guideline on use of blood tests to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease

The Alzheimer’s Association has issued its first clinical practice guideline on the use of blood tests to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in people with cognitive impairment. READ MORE

Assisted Living & Home Plus Lunch and Learn: A Deeper Look at FCS/NSA and HSP

August 7, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Pittsburg, KS

The Functional Capacity Screen (FCS). Who knew such a simple looking document could be so complicated? During this lunch and learn you’ll learn how to accurately complete a Functional Capacity Screen (FCS). Together you’ll collaborate and work through common ‘gray areas’ and how to document them. Once you’ve tackled the Functional Capacity Screen (FCS), the Negotiated Service Agreement (NSA) and Health Services Plan (HSP) are next! A completed FCS will be provided to all participants and Joan Hudson, RN-BC, LNHA will walk you through how to take the data from the FCS, add your resident ‘wants’ to the assessment and produce a Negotiated Service Agreement (NSA) to capture all the billable services for your resident.

In Case You Missed It

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

In preparation for a future presentation on Writing Effective, Innovative Care Plans. During research and review of care plan deficiencies cited for nursing homes, it is apparent a common issue that frequently isn’t but should be included on a resident’s comprehensive care plan…and that is refusals of care and how to effectively include the issue in the comprehensive care plan.

Refusals of care are common in long term care settings and those refusals are not necessarily a deficient practice but the facility is responsible for “digging deeper” into the root cause of those refusals. Often refusals reflect deeper concerns, unmet needs or personal preferences. Development of a care plan that addresses the refusals, along with identified causal factors, and instructions to staff on interventions to implement at the time of refusals is key to regulatory compliance. That process also demonstrates the facility is honoring resident autonomy and ensuring dignified care. READ MORE

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

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

AHCA/NCAL's #ProgressParade, the new social media campaign that celebrates residents and patients who reach meaningful milestones in their therapy program, is a powerful way to showcase the many ways that residents and patients thrive within long term care. READ MORE

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

RAC-CT Certification Virtual Workshop

8/12/25 - 10:00AM - 4:30PM

Increase your knowledge of clinical assessment and care planning, completion of the MDS, the regulations surrounding the RAI/MDS process, and managing the PDPM by attending an AAPACN Resident Assessment Coordinator-Certified (RAC-CT) certification workshop. Having the RAC-CT credential behind your name shows you are a knowledgeable and capable MDS professional. RAC-CT certification is the nationally recognized gold-standard in resident assessment in the long-term care nursing profession. By earning this credential, individuals have shown their expertise in skilled nursing facility prospective payment system and minimum data set (MDS 3.0) assessment.

Click here for more details.

Scholarship opportunity: The individual or facility will cover the full cost upfront, and KHCA will reimburse 50% upon successful course completion. Submit your application here.