Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

On August 13, 2025, McKnight's published an article titled, “CMS Kicking Survey Enforcement into Higher Gear, Experts Caution”. That article emphasizes the increased scrutiny of CMS surveyors related to psychoactive medications and schizophrenia diagnoses. The article pointed out that CMS is re-starting the Schizophrenia Surveys, especially since the regulatory changes on April 28^th moving the regulation for those drugs to F605, Chemical Restraint Abuse tag. So, this week, let’s talk about a schizophrenia-focused surveys. If your nursing home is facing a schizophrenia-focused survey, it's likely part of CMS’s intensified scrutiny around diagnostic accuracy and antipsychotic use, especially given the impact on the Five-Star Rating System. Here's what to expect and how to prepare: READ MORE

CMS To Pause Nursing Home Care Compare Updates

Skilled Nursing News (8/15, Stulick) reported CMS "will be pausing Nursing Home Care Compare updates," as it "announced the temporary pause to ensure accuracy of publicly reported information during a transition from the legacy Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (QIES) to the cloud-based Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES)." Through September, the agency "will not be updating the Nursing Home Care Compare Five Star Rating System; data refreshes are expected in October." 

Click here to read the Special Alert from CMS.

CMS Releases Finalized MDS Item Sets and Matrix for Nursing Homes, Removes Section R, Therapy Items

The final Minimum Data Set (MDS) item sets and matrix for nursing homes were released late Friday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). READ MORE

TOMORROW! Webinar: Policies and Procedures

8/19/25 - 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Register for the 75th Annual Convention & Trade Show! 

The Full Brochure is here! *Content and sponsorships subject to change.



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.

2025 Mid-Year Update: We Remain Strong and United

We have had a busy but successful year thus far. You can learn more about what's been happening, our successes, and where we go from here in this special mid-year update video. 

Thank you again for all you do, and I'm excited to see everyone this October 19-22 in Las Vegas for Delivering Solutions 25. Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer, and let's stay strong and united. 

Clifton J. Porter, II

President & CEO, AHCA/NCAL

REMINDER: MDS & Resident Assessments Roles and Responsibilities

Upcoming SNF QRP Data Submission Deadline

In recent months, federal and state regulators have demonstrated an increased attention on MDS practices. AHCA/NCAL wants to provide some reminders on key requirements for MDS roles and responsibilities as well as highlight resources we have for providers.  

Regulations require nursing homes to initially and periodically conduct a comprehensive, accurate, standardized, reproducible assessment of each resident's functional capacity. This process utilizes the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) which consists of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and Care Assessment Areas (CAAs), and are used to develop a person-centered care plan for each resident. READ MORE

Online, Free Platform Launches To Help Long-Term Care Providers

Yahoo! Finance (8/13) carries a press release announcing Park Place, a "website designed to help long-term care providers succeed both clinically and financially," launched Wednesday. The "online, free platform led by CEO Mark Parkinson, the former longtime President & CEO of the American Health Care Association, and Zimmet Health care, leads providers and vendor partners in their pursuit of clinical and financial success." Parkinson said, "We are so excited to present this new space for long-term care professionals to discover, learn, and lead." 

As reported by McKnight's LTC News

Webinar: Nursing Documentation Practice Expectations

8/27/25 - 2:00PM - 3:30PM

Accurate and thorough nursing documentation is critical in nursing homes, ensuring high-quality resident care, legal protection, regulatory compliance, and effective communication among healthcare providers. This presentation explores the best practices for nursing documentation, highlighting key principles such as clarity, completeness, timeliness, and adherence to regulatory standards. Attendees will learn strategies to improve documentation efficiency while maintaining compliance with healthcare policies, reducing errors, and enhancing resident outcomes. The session will also cover common challenges in nursing documentation and practical solutions to ensure records accurately reflect the care provided.

Whether you’re an experienced nurse or new to long-term care, this presentation will equip participants with essential skills to refine documentation practices and enhance resident care in nursing homes.

Click here to learn more.

Webinar: Nursing Documentation Practice Expectations

8/27/25 - 2:00PM - 3:30PM

Click here for more details.

Webinar: F609 - Reporting of Alleged Violations

9/9/25 - 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Annual Convention & Trade Show

9/16 - 9/15/25 Mulvane, KS

Click here for more details.

Webinar: Communication Practices

9/16/25 - 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Virtual Adult Care Home Operator Course

9/30 - 10/13/25

Click here for more details.

DON Boot Camp

SAVE THE DATES!

11/10/25 - 11/12/25

Olathe, KS

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