KHCA/KCAL Update 8/25/25

August 25, 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

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

An interesting subject has been involved in several phone calls in the past couple of weeks related to physician visits. Two particular questions came up: 1. Do physician visits have to be “in-person”? and 2. “Are there any rules about timeliness of the physician returning documentation of visits to the facility?” These issues are not likely to be pertinent only to the facility staff that asked the questions. They are probably issues that others have faced also. So let’s delve into the issue…(HINT: admission & routine chart audits are a MUST for compliance…for multiple reasons!) READ MORE

CMS Posts Fiscal Year 2024 State Performance Standards System Findings

Provider Magazine (8/20, 151K) reported CMS "recently posted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 State Performance Standards System (SPSS) findings through the release of Admin Memo: 25-04-ALL." With the program, "CMS annually assesses each State Survey Agency’s performance on measures included in the SPSS program," and then "state agencies must submit a corrective action plan for each SPSS measure that they did not meet in FY24 or partially met for the second consecutive year."

Provider Electronic Solutions (PES) Rolloff Town Hall Meetings

After October 14, 2025, Provider Electronic Solutions (PES) will not be supported by the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP) and users will not be able to submit Electronic Data Interface (EDI) transactions through PES. An alternative for PES billing is provided through the Kansas Modular Medicaid System (KMMS) secure provider portal.

KMAP will host two town halls, one on September 9 and one on September 11, 2025, for PES users to learn more and ask questions. The same information will be shared at both sessions:

Need for PES software sunset.
Web options available on KMAP.
Use of roster billing.
Claims submission template enhancements.

You can register for the town halls by going to the events section at the bottom of the KanCare.ks.gov homepage and clicking on the date of the meeting you would like to attend. A provider bulletin has been posted with more information.

WEDNESDAY! 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.

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.

In Case You Missed It

HHS Drives Reform to Restore Patient-Centered Care, Announces Request for Nominations of Members to Serve on Federal Healthcare Advisory Committee

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are establishing the Healthcare Advisory Committee—a group of experts charged with delivering strategic recommendations directly to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to improve how care is financed and delivered across Medicare, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace.

"Every American high-quality, affordable care – without red tape, corporate greed, or excessive costs," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "This new advisory committee will unite the best minds in healthcare to help us deliver real results, hold the system accountable, and drive forward our mission to Make America Healthy Again."

"This is a moment for action," said CMS Administrator Oz. "This committee will help us cut waste, reduce paperwork, expand preventive care, and modernize CMS programs with real-time data and accountability, all while keeping patients at the center. We are calling on experts across the country to join us in this effort to help us Make America Healthy Again." READ MORE

KHCA’s AIT Program: Celebrating Success and Leadership!

Over the past three years, KHCA’s Administrator-in-Training (AIT) Program has been an incredible success. We’ve had the privilege of working with so many talented individuals who have gone on to become outstanding administrators. Today, we want to take a moment to celebrate them and their hard work, their dedication, and the incredible impact they are making in our communities.

Thank you to all of our AIT graduates for setting the standard for excellence and leadership in long-term care. Your accomplishments inspire us, and we’re proud to be a part of your journey!

Danielle Brumbelow
Patrick Burke
Kriston Dankof
Stacie DeGoey
Angela Frohlich Phipps
Kenisha Gaut
Julie Gibson
Stephanie Harriman
Curtis Hernandez
Colleen Hollestelle
Shelly Jay
Lashon Lawrie
Bianca Neal
Abigail Schmidt
Kristen Shaffer
Naana Sifah
Shaunna Taylor
Tenisha Toney
Tracy Voth
Kayla Wilhelm
Lindsey Wood

If you are interested in signing up for KHCA’s AIT program you can find more information on our website: https://www.khca.org/ait-program/ or you can always reach out to Teresa at tkeating@khca.org

Upcoming Sunflower Health Plan Member Advisory Committee (MAC) Meeting

Sunflower Health Plan Member Advisory Committee (MAC) meeting invites Sunflower Health Plan members to share their thoughts, ask questions, and provide feedback on the services they deliver. This is a valuable chance for members to voice concerns, learn about Sunflower services, and help shape how they serve our community.

MAC meetings occur quarterly, and the next one is Wednesday, 9/24/25 at 9am via Zoom. This quarter, we will share information around Workforce Development and Tribal Health. Sunflower members also receive $10 on their My Health Pays reward card for attending. Sunflower members can register for our MAC meeting here: https://www.sunflowerhealthplan.com/members/medicaid/resources/advisory-council.html.

FDA clears first blood test to aid in Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Seniors experiencing memory problems and cognitive decline now have access to a new diagnostic blood test to detect Alzheimer’s disease. Labcorp this week unveiled the first Food and Drug Administration-cleared diagnostic tool to aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, offering older adults a less invasive path to answers about their cognitive health. READ MORE

College saving plans will expand to cover LTC credentialing programs

Certified nurse aides and other direct care workers will soon be able to use money from private 529 savings plans to cover the costs of education, training and credentialing exams. READ MORE

KHCA Annual Business Meeting

Join us for the Annual Business Meeting, held in conjunction with the Kansas Health Care Association’s 75th Annual Convention and Trade Show.

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025

Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Location: Kansas Star Event Center, 785 Kansas Star Drive, Mulvane, KS 67110

We encourage all members to attend.

Click here to view meeting reports as they become available. Please note: A member password is required for access.

Education Spotlight

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

October 16, 2025
Wichita, KS

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

The Functional Capacity Screen (FCS) may look simple—but completing it accurately can be anything but. In this interactive Lunch and Learn, you’ll learn how to correctly complete an FCS, identify and work through common gray areas, and document your findings with confidence.

Click here for more details.

Upcoming Education