KHCA/KCAL Update 9/5/25

September 5, 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

Introducing Kansas HCBS Quarterly Connections

Welcome to the first issue of Kansas HCBS Quarterly Connections – a new resource created by the Statewide Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Assessing Organization, Maximus, which partners with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). HCBS waiver services help people to live more independently.

In its role, Maximus is responsible for providing functional eligibility assessments to Kansans who are interested in potentially receiving HCBS waiver services. Maximus also provides annual reassessments for those already on HCBS waivers. The HCBS waivers and other services supported by Maximus include: READ MORE

2026 Webinar Survey

Proactive is currently collecting data on topics for 2026 webinars. KHCA/KCAL is seeking your input on desired topics for next year. The purpose of this survey is solely to see what our members are interested in and is not a complete list of trainings that Proactive plans to provide. The KHCA/KCAL Education committee will review results and make decisions on education delivered based on your input.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY

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.

CMS Temporarily Pauses Nursing Home Care Compare Updates

Provider Magazine (8/25, 151K) reported that on August 15, CMS "announced...they will temporarily pause Nursing Home Care Compare updates" and "noted the pause is related to their recent transition to a cloud-based Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES)." The move "will result in the information currently displayed remaining static and will not reflect any updates. Regular updates are anticipated to resume in October."

Advocates Warn New Limits On COVID Vaccinations Threaten Availability In Nursing Homes

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (8/31, Marselas) reported, "New limits on COVID vaccinations threaten nursing homes’ ability to get shots to frontline staff ahead of the coming respiratory virus season, providers and health care advocates are warning." Last week, the FDA "approved three COVID vaccines for people 65 and over and for" at-risk younger people, but others "will need a prescription to receive a vaccine – and to be able to find shots as access appears set to shrink." AHCA/NCAL Chief Medical Officer David Gifford, MD, said Thursday, "Nursing homes and long-term care facilities continue to make every effort to educate and promote vaccinations in the long-term care community."

Budget Reconciliation Bill Review: Member Webinar

09/11/2025 at 1:30 PM (CDT)

Join AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Clif Porter and team as they review the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by Congress in July and its potential impact on long term care. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A. READ MORE

First-Time Applicant Hour: Intro to the Quality Award Journey

09/25/2025 at 2:00 PM (CDT)

AHCA/NCAL is hosting a webinar on the National Quality Award Program, with a focus on helping first-time applicants understand the structure and purpose of the program. READ MORE

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.

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