May 3, 2024
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The Latest News
A Message from the President & CEO Linda MowBray: Our Kansas Commitment

Legislators worked late into the night on Tuesday to finish up the last few days and gavel out Sine Die. While we finish sorting out all of the details, here are some highlights for long-term care.

  • Budget bill passes.
  • Full rebase and inflate to the midpoint of FY25.
  • $15.40 per Medicaid resident per day starting July 1, 2024. This replaces last year’s add on and is not in addition to.
  • HCBS FE rates rise to $7.50 per unit.
  • All other waivers see an approximately 5% increase.
  • Click here for details on the bill.
  • Page 35 items 3 &4
  • Page 37 items 27 & 28
  • Page 78 item 4
  • And page 79 items 19, 22 & 24
  • Click here for the full bill. 
 
  • Fire Marshal cannot wear body cameras during inspections but may continue to take still pictures of violations.
  • CCRC oversight will move to KDADS.
  • No Patient Left Alone passes with language that exempts us if not imposing isolation methods ordered by CMS jeopardizes our funding.
  • KDADS will collect data from AL and Home Plus on involuntary discharges.
  • Staffing agencies will be required to register with KDADS in order to do business in Kansas.
All of these items were bundled into one bill. See below for how this all progressed.

We will meet with KDADS on May 20, 2024, for a glimpse at the final rates.

We will meet with KDADS on May 23, 2024, to discuss the implementation of the CCRC oversight, Involuntary Discharge data gathering and the Staffing Agency registration process.

Should you have questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me. As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you.
(785) 267-6003
Enhanced Barrier Precaution FAQ

Click here for a FAQ for the QSO Memo 24-08-NH, please note if you have any questions or concerns about the memo or FAQ please reach out to: DNH_TriageTeam@cms.hhs.gov
In Case You Missed It
A Message from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services: Implementation of Fingerprint-based Criminal Background Checks (FCBC)

Effective January 1, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) designated skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that are initially enrolling (which includes most undergoing a change in ownership (CHOW)) as “High” Risk. This change was published in the Federal register on November 18, 2022; however, states were not directly notified until December 29, 2023. Two federal regulations, §§ 424.518(c) and 455.450(e), are used to indicate the providers and provider types that State Medicaid Agencies (SMAs) must categorize as “high” risk. Section 424.518(c)(1) lists the provider types under the “high” risk category. During initial enrollment and most CHOWs all individuals with 5 percent or more direct or indirect ownership interest in a SNF are required to obtain and submit fingerprints either to CMS or to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Division of Health Care Finance (KDHE/DHCF) within 30 days of emailed notification. Any SNF with a 5% owner barred from enrollment, or failure to submit fingerprints, may result in termination or denial per 42 CFR 455.416. Please see 42 C.F.R. § 455.101 for the definition of person with an ownership or control interest and § 455.102 for determination of ownership or control percentages.

SNFs that initially enrolled or underwent a CHOW in Kansas from January 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, will fall into two categories: READ MORE
House committee split raises new questions on nursing home staffing rule’s future

Some House lawmakers Tuesday painted their effort to repeal a new nursing home staffing mandate as a bid to ensure access to care and to stake their authority over a rogue regulatory agency at the same time.

But a bill that would block the rule from taking effect this summer is no shoo-in, judging by Democrats’ criticism. READ MORE
Urgent Call to Action: Come to Washington to Meet with Your Members of Congress

Last week, the Biden Administration announced the Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Final Rule - a decision that demands our immediate attention.

This one-size-fits-all mandate from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services threatens to deepen the workforce crisis in long term care, jeopardizing access to care for our seniors. With bipartisan opposition from lawmakers and widespread concern among healthcare leaders and policy experts nationwide, the time to act swiftly and decisively is now.

Your Members of Congress need to hear from you as they consider the bipartisan Protecting America's Seniors' Access to Care Act (S. 3410/H.R. 7513) which would prohibit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary from finalizing the proposed nursing home staffing rule. Join us in our efforts to safeguard long term care facilities nationwide from involuntary closures. 

Make plans to join us for Congressional Briefing, June 3-4.  
Education Spotlight
RAC-CT Certification In-Person Workshop

June 25-27, 2024
Wichita, KS

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.

The RAC-CT certification program consists of 10 education courses designed for post-acute care professionals with at least six months of experience with the MDS/RAI process. If you have less than six months of experience, we highly recommend taking MDS Essentials as a foundation to get you started and make sure you’re prepared to succeed in the RAC-CT program. To earn the RAC-CT credential, you must successfully complete the associated final certification exams with a score of 80% or higher. You will have one year from the date of the workshop before they expire. There are three exam attempts per course. Recertification is required every two years.

Click here for more details.
Upcoming Education
Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks Related to Infection Control

5/14/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for Dialysis Care

5/21/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks related to CPR

6/11/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
SSD Boot Camp

6/17/24 - 8:30AM-4:00PM
Topeka, KS

This class is full! Please email khca@khca.org to be placed on wait list.

Click here for more details.
Nurse Leadership Conference

6/18 - 6/19/24
Manhattan, KS

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for End-of-Life Care

6/18/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
RAC-CT Certification In-Person Workshop

6/25 - 6/27/24
Wichita, KS

Click here for more details.
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
Kansas Health Care Association and the Kansas Center for Assisted Living
1100 SW Gage Blvd. | PO Box 4770 | Topeka, KS 66604
PH: 785-267-6003 FAX: 785-267-0833