August 2, 2024

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The Latest News

AHCA Member Summary of FY 2025 SNF Final Payment Rule

Wednesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2025 update.

While we are pleased to see Medicare rates increasing by more than four percent this coming fiscal year, we are extremely disappointed that CMS enhanced its enforcement provisions surrounding civil monetary penalties. Read our full reaction statement.

AHCA has developed a summary of the final rule. Please note that a member log-in is required to view the summary.

Highlights include:

The final rule increases SNF PPS rates by 4.2%, or approximately $1.4 billion, beginning October 1, 2024. This is based on the SNF market basket increase of 3.0%, plus a 1.7% market basket forecast error adjustment, and a negative 0.5% productivity adjustment.
The above impact figures do not incorporate the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) reductions for certain SNFs subject to the net reduction in payments under the SNF VBP program; those adjustments are estimated to total $187.7 million in FY 2025. CMS finalized several operational and administrative proposals for the SNF VBP program.
CMS also finalized updates to the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP), SNF VBP program, SNF PPS Patient-Driven Payment Model ICD-10 Code Mappings, and the SNF PPS wage index.
The rule finalizes revisions to regulation surrounding enforcement authority related to Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) that were outlined in the proposed rule. Under this new policy, State Survey Agencies, along with CMS would have the authority to issue Per Diem and Per Instance CMPs on the same survey, as well as the authority to issue multiple Per Instance CMPs when the same type of noncompliance is identified on more than one day. CMS or the States would also be able to impose CMPs for the number of days of previously cited noncompliance since the last three standard surveys for which a CMP has not yet been imposed.
These enforcement updates go into effect October 5, 2024 (60-days after it is published in the Federal Register, scheduled to be published on August 6, 2024). However, CMS will operationalize these requirements beginning March 3, 2025.

Please contact Martin Allen with any questions regarding Medicare rates and regulatory@ahca.org for any questions regarding the CMP enforcement provisions.

CMS Daily Digest Bulletin

CMS FACT SHEET: Fiscal Year 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS 1802-F)
CMS FACT SHEET: Fiscal Year 2025 Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System (IPF PPS) and Quality Reporting (IPFQR) Updates Final Rule (CMS-1806-F)
CMS FACT SHEET: Fiscal Year 2025 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1804-F)
MLN Connects Newsletter: Aug 1, 2024
The next CMS Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)
The next Home Health, Hospice & DME Open Door Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, August 7, 2024, PM at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)

Click here for more details.

Expert Discusses Quality Award Application Process, Impact On Quality Improvement

Provider Magazine (8/1, 151K) reports, "Receiving a Quality Award is a big accomplishment and shows dedication to the industry." But, "even without receiving an award, providers going through the application process can see an improvement in quality." Avamere Living Market Strategy Vice President Maggie Hilty Katz discusses the process in a video interview with Provider Magazine.

2024 Staff Recognition Program

The 2024 Staff Recognition Program is here again, and this is a way for you to honor your staff and volunteers. Our yearly awards ceremony is just a small way of honoring some of the great men and women who care for the elders of our great state! The time taken from your busy schedules to fill out this nomination is very much appreciated.

Winners will be honored at our Annual Convention and Trade Show on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Deadline to submit nominations is Friday, August 23, 2024.

CMS increase abilities to fine nursing homes, hikes Medicare pay by 4.2 percent

Nursing homes will be getting a 4.2% Medicare Part A pay raise under the fiscal 2025 final pay rule issued Wednesday. Providers also will be facing a more aggressive fines system, with civil monetary penalties now applicable in more instances and at greater amounts. READ MORE

A Follow Up From Joint Provider Fire Marshal

Click here for a Q&A from last week's Joint Provider Fire Marshal.

Free Webinar: Approaches to Addressing Grief and Bereavement in the LTC Workforce

Aug 6, 2024 10:00 AM

Unsupported grief and bereavement in the long-term care workforce, particularly in nursing homes, can impact the provision of quality care, costs, and resident quality of life. Join LTQA and Altarum for a webinar on the importance of addressing grief and bereavement in the long-term care workforce, and low burden, high impact ideas that can be used to establish a culture of retention and improve quality of care. REGISTER HERE

A Guide to Fire Alarm Basics

National Fire Protection Association has provided a Guide to Fire Alarm Basics, which discusses some of the components and functions of a fire alarm system. READ MORE

Unlock Excellence: 2025 Quality Award Applications Are Now Available

The National Quality Award Program is excited to announce the opening of the 2025 application cycle! Access our new and enhanced educational materials on the Quality Award website to set yourself on the path to success.

Prepare for a transformative year with these essential resources:

Comprehensive application packets: Bronze for SNFs & ID/DDs, Bronze for ALs, Silver and Gold
Month-to-month roadmaps to guide Bronze, Silver and Gold applicants
Kick-off webinar recorded on July 9 (in case you missed it)
Criteria video series on ahcancalED

By participating in the Quality Award Program, you can:

Gain invaluable external perspectives
Receive detailed, constructive feedback
Enhance organizational resilience and performance
Achieve prestigious recognition

Discover the incredible journeys of past recipients on the Quality Award Stories website. Imagine this could be your story next year!

Seize this chance to demonstrate your dedication to excellence. Visit the Quality Award website now to access the latest materials for the 2025 application cycle.

For any inquiries, contact the Quality Award Program at qualityaward@ahca.org

Click here to learn about our Virtual Gold Award Workshop

Click here to learn about our Virtual Silver Award Workshop

Click here to learn about our Virtual Bronze Award Workshop

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
Topeka - 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.

Education Spotlight

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

Thursday, August 8, 2024

10:00AM - 2:00PM

Olathe, 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.

Joan will also address situations for Negotiated Risk Agreements, NSA Addendums and ideas for completing them. Once the FCS and NSA are done we’ll use the information to create our Health Services Plan (HSP) that describes to our direct caregivers how to provide the services we’ve negotiated for our residents.

This workshop is a great opportunity for Operators and Nurses to work through this process as a team. It’s also a chance for you to make sure you’re on the same page and meeting the requirements as set out by KDADS.

Click here for more details.

Upcoming Education