HFAM Update
Also: Proposed Medicare Eligibly and Coverage Changes,
Reporting Reminders, AHCA Events, and More
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Friends:
Thank you for all you are doing. We are experiencing the predicted COVID-19 spike in our sector and communities across Maryland. While the rate of COVID in most communities remains low, the transmission rate as indicated by the second CDC website listed below is high in Montgomery County, Howard County, and Baltimore City.
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COVID-19 Community Transmission Level by County
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COVID-19 Integrated County View (transmission rates and other integrated data such as hospitalizations and deaths)
About 50 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers currently have outbreaks of at least one staff member and roughly 20 centers have outbreaks of at least one resident or patient. Because of the higher transmission rates in the counties listed on the CDC site, 8-12 centers have outbreaks ranging from 9 to 20 cases.
As Dr. Fauci noted yesterday and Maryland and AHCA/NCAL leaders mirror, hospitalizations and deaths thankfully have not been an issue. Finally, as we’ve all known for a while based on our experience, yesterday Dr. Fauci noted we are no longer in the acute phase of the COVID pandemic in the US. All of this said, we all MUST remain diligent in prioritizing vaccines and boosters as directed by our clinical leaders and tracked by the federal and state governments.
NOTE: Based on data, our sector and others should be prudent about testing. Federal and/or state requirements could trigger additional testing.
Second Boosts and PROPS Reporting
Second booster doses are being increasingly ordered for people of the age and clinical background of those in our sector. Providers are advised to continue in their work to administer vaccines and boosters as clinically appropriate. Should you require state assistance in the near term, please contact John Watson and his team at the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). MDH will now be collecting second booster information within the resident/staff vaccination section of the SNF PROPS portal. Please see below in this update for the recent SNF PROPS Newsletter outlining updates, reminders, and best practices. Assisted living centers should access the ALF PROPS portal.
KARE: Click here for the presentation that KARE, a workforce disruptor, made at the AHCA/NCAL CEO Conference. We’ve written about KARE before. They are not yet operating in Maryland, but I think they will be here soon.
An important reminder, providers in our sector who focus on these will have a competitive advantage:
- Quality care.
- Workforce innovation.
- Sector-directed care delivery redesign.
- Strategic expansion of SNFs into home and community-based care and assisted living.
STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE: AHCA Revenue Cycle Management Academy Training
AHCA offers a five-module online training program titled Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Academy which offers training about a holistic interdisciplinary approach toward revenue management. RCM can be implemented in a building, more broadly or as an organization-wide approach to enhance revenue by minimizing losses from payments that too often are unnecessarily lost or overlooked. Individuals will need to login to ahcancalED with their AHCA/NCAL usernames and passwords to register for Revenue Cycle Management Academy. For assistance obtaining usernames and passwords, members should e-mail educate@ahca.org with their name and facility contact information.
NOTE: See this NYT article on Medicare Managed Care from today. Before and during the pandemic there has been growth in Medicare Advantage compared to traditional Medicare. It is an important read.
Maryland State of Reform Conference
The 2022 Maryland State of Reform Health Policy Conference is back and in-person at the BWI Airport Marriott on May 4, 2022. This State of Reform conference is focused on bridging the gap between health care policy and political reality. Too often, those with good ideas for reforming health care don’t have a solid understanding of how the legislative process works. Those who understand politics don’t always comprehend the intricacies of the health care system. If you are interested in understanding what occurs at the nexus of healthcare policy and politics, then this is the conference for you! Click here to register.
As Always
- Focus on what is in your control and not what is out of your control.
- Let’s get those boosters and the flu vaccine in the arms of people.
- Overcommunicate – with residents, patients, families, staff, and government partners.
- Adapt and innovate.
- Rely on your partnerships.
- Speak up when you need help.
- Double efforts on infectious disease protocols, training, and operations.
- Take and document your action; keep a timeline.
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Joe DeMattos
President and CEO
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CMS Releases Proposed Medicare Eligibly and Coverage Changes
This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule entitled, Medicare Program; Implementing Certain Provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Revisions to Medicare Enrollment and Eligibility Rules. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) includes proposed changes to Medicare eligibility, including elimination of the Medicare coverage waiting period under specific circumstances, as well as new Special Enrollment Periods (SEP).
The NPRM also proposes extending months of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant patients, simplification of Medicare enrollment forms and proposes to update various regulations that affect a state’s payment of the Medicare Part A and B premiums on behalf of low-income individuals (often known as “state buy-in”).
These changes could better align the regulations with federal statute, policy and operations that have evolved over time.
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SNF PROPS Highlights, Reminders, and Best Practices
Program Highlights
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We have had over 99% of facilities submitting data as of 4/22, which is such a great success, thank you for your partnership!
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New feature: MDH will now be collecting second booster information within the resident/staff vaccination section. As a reminder, these statuses should represent the most recent vaccine the resident/staff has received. Therefore, those who have received one booster should be counted in the category "fully vaccinated and booster" and those who have received two boosters should be counted in the "fully vaccinated and second booster" category.
Reminders:
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If your facility has not submitted its daily report by 1pm, all facility contacts will receive a reminder email
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You may edit submissions that have been made for your facility within the current day if needed
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The PROPS portal is compatible with mobile devices using the same link
- Support requests can be placed by selecting "support requests" at the top of your screen
Tips/Best Practices:
- If you need to be remapped to a different facility please contact the congregate email and we will work to update your facility
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Please let the MDH team know if you need help accessing your TAT reports, which can be found in the TAT module within PROPS
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Open door sessions are available for anyone who has questions about reporting in PROPS. Please email the MDH Congregate Care Team if you are interested
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NHSN Reporting Reminders
NHSN Access Reminder:
- As a reminder, all SNFs must get NHSN access established to submit their weekly data to the NHSN.
- Please note that NHSN access can take 90 days or longer, and therefore time is of the essence to begin the process asap
- If anyone has SAMS access in your facility already, this will be quickest way to address access needs
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If no one at your facility has NHSN access, use the link here to reassign your facility administrator. Link to NHSN: https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/facadmin/index.htm
- Facilities using CRISP on a weekly basis may receive a reach-out from our team to confirm that you are registered for NHSN
Reporting requirements summary:
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Daily: SNF reporting in PROPS
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Weekly: NHSN reporting
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As needed: POC reporting in CRISP (reported as test results are collected)
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AHCA/NCAL’s Congressional Briefing offers you that invaluable opportunity. Come to Washington, D.C. this June, and ask for what you need and want. You’ll get an update on the latest happenings in long term and post-acute care, make an effective and immediate plan of action with your colleagues, and then meet with your Representatives and their staff on Capitol Hill. It’s a priceless chance to use your voice, and one that you can’t afford to pass up.
Sessions will include:
First Timer’s Guide to Speaking With Your Representatives
Using Social Media for Change
Assisted Living Briefing
Legislation Updates from AHCA/NCAL’s President & CEO, Mark Parkinson and Clifton Porter, Senior Vice President, Government Relations
Location: Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill | Washington, DC
Date(s): June 6-7, 2022
Registration Deadline: April 29, 2022
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Save $100 This Spring on Your LTC Career Center Job Postings |
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AHCA/NCAL’s LTC Career Center is holding a Spring sale through June 3, 2022. Members can save $100 off any 30 or 60-day job postings when they use promo code ENGAGE22 at checkout.
The LTC Career Center offers targeted national exposure through the Health Care Career Network by providing visibility on a platform containing more than 200 national and state health care organizations and societies. Serious health care candidates look for jobs on this national network built specifically for health care employers seeking to reach health care professionals.
Employers that post vacancies through the AHCA/NCAL LTC Career Center get extra value through free rotating listings on the LTC Career Center home page.
Of course, the LTC Career Center is always free for job seekers and features many of the best positions the long term care profession has to offer that are not posted on other job sites. Graduates and experienced health care professionals utilize the Health Care Career Network to find the best health care openings.
Visit the LTC Career Center Employer Page or call Robin at 866-964-2765 x2736 for more information about posting job vacancies on the LTC Career Center and other discounted job listing packages.
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AHCA/NCAL Convention: Two Unique Keynotes Set Convention Tone |
This year, two transformational speakers take the stage as AHCA/NCAL's General Session keynotes. |
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Jade Simmons delivers a stunning, main-stage presentation with the potent combination of music, virtuoso performance, and riveting storytelling.
Simmons is a top-notch “experiential” speaker who uses music to powerfully drive her points home.
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Brandon Stanton shares his journey of personal growth and discovery while revealing the stories behind the stories featured in his photoblog and book "Humans of New York (HONY)."
Come hear the man named to Time's "30 Under 30 People Changing the World" list, as he powerfully illustrates the value of sharing your experiences.
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New Video: Dr. Gifford Encourages LTC Staff to Get Their Booster Shot
In a special video message, AHCA/NCAL’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Gifford encourages long term care staff to stay up to date on their COVID vaccinations and get their booster shot. Click here to watch!
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Want to see previous HFAM updates?
Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
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