June 2023
- CDC Identifies Reporting Issue with NHSN Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Module
- Long-Term Care Advocates Working To Prepare For Federal Staffing Minimum
- Focus MDS Update of the Week
- CMS Posts Nursing Home Ownership and Performance Data on Care Compare
- Reminder of July 1st full transition to KDADS’ Upload Tool
- Location Poll for 2024 Nurse Leadership Conference
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Lawmakers Urge CMS To Ease Administrative Requirements Under Medicare Advantage
- AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program Presents Unique Opportunity For Providers
- AHCA/NCAL Announces Nine Recipients Of 2023 Silver Quality Awards – Congratulations to Avita Senior Living at Rolling Hills in Wichita for being the sole Kansas Recipient!
- Focus MDS Update of the Week
- New Medicare Billing Rule For COVID-19 Vaccines To Take Effect July 1
- NCAL Among Groups Joining National Association For Regulatory Administration To Develop Industry Resources, Guidance
- MDS Changes Could Have Ripple Effects on Nursing Home Readmissions, Citations
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Aetna Better Health of Kansas June Community E-newsletter
- 6 Week Series starts this THURSDAY! Restorative Nursing Excellence: Revitalizing Programs and Restoring Function After COVID-19
- Focus MDS Update of the Week
- Member Spotlight: Delaware Highland Assisted Living
- Member Spotlight: Medicalodges, Inc.
- Over 230 Nurses and Administrators joined us this week for MDS – RAI Changes Workshop and the Nurse Leadership Conference
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- 2023 National Training Program Virtual Workshops
- Members Only Nurse Advisory Call & Facility Standards Call
- Focus MDS Update of the Week
- Supreme Court Upholds Resident Right to Sue Publicly Owned SNFs
- CMS Urging Hospitals To Revamp SNF Discharge Process
- AHCA/NCAL To Present 2023 Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Award To Two Honorees
- The FY24 Nursing Home rates for Medicaid have been posted
- Over 500 Long Term Care Professionals Gathered For AHCA/NCAL’s Congressional Briefing
- AHCA Prepared To Take Legal Action Against Federal Staffing Mandate
- Infection Control Pathway Updated to Reflect End of Staff Vaccine Requirement
- Last Week for 2023 AHCA/NCAL Awards Program Nominations
- Webinar: Long-Term Care Antimicrobial Stewardship: Focused Initiatives Targeting Common Infections & Disease Scenarios
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Assisted Living Workforce Issues Poised To Dominate Discussions Between AHCA/NCAL, Congress
- Bronze National Quality Award Recipients Announced
- Focus MDS Update of the Week
- Office Of Management And Budget Reviewing CMS’ Minimum Staffing Mandate
May 2023
- CMS issues details on vaccine mandate’s end
- Claims audit will affect every nursing home starting June 5
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- AHCA/NCAL Prepares Resources To Help Nursing, Assisted Living Facilities Manage Medicaid Redeterminations
- AHCA/NCAL To Hold Congressional Briefing On June 5 And 6
- KMAP Web Update
- FDA grants Paxlovid full approval, says drug remains effective COVID-19 treatment
- CDC Launches New Respiratory Illness Data Dashboard: RESP-LENS
- AHCA/NCAL’s Clif Porter Discusses Response To Visa Freeze For International Nurses
- COVID-19 Provider Vaccine Mandate Still in Effect
- CDC Webinar: New Updates to the NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Surveillance Pathways
- Provider Protections, Funding Needed In Case Of Federal Minimum Staffing Rule, AHCA/NCAL Board Chair Says
- KDADS Update to PHE Ending
- Two major conversations affecting reimbursement occurred last week
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Nurse Advisory Committee and Facility Standards Call Follow-Up – Survey
- Federal Assistance Needed To Address Backlogged Nursing Home Inspections System, Experts And Lawmakers Say
- President’s Message: Two major conversations affecting reimbursement occurred this week. First, how the 61.5 million-dollar Medicaid add-on would be distributed and second, a preview of the FY24 rates, impact and payment limits.
- CMS Releases Updates to Survey Documents
- Request a SNF Quality Reporting Program Exception & Extension
- CMS Initiates National SNF 5-Claim Probe and Educate Review
- Reintroduced Legislation Would Lift Two-Year Lockout On CNA Training Programs
- Combined Members Only Nurse Advisory Committee and Facility Standards Call – Friday, May 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM
- KCAL District 1 Round Table
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- National Skilled Nursing Care Week Focused On “Cultivating Kindness”
- WEDNESDAY! CARE/PASRR Office Hours with KDADS Staff
- Members Only Facility Standards Call – Friday, May 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM
- Friday, May 12, 2023 – Legislative Update
- KDADS Continues work on FY24 Rates
- Deadline to Register for AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing is Today
- CDC and CMS Update COVID-19 Guidance
- SNF QRP Deadline Approaching May 15: Reporting Annual HCP Influenza Vaccination Data to NHSN
- Parkinson Warns About Impacts Of Federal Staffing Mandate, Managed Care Trends
- CMS Daily Digest Bulletin
- As behavioral health demands grow, new federal center offers free SNF training
- McKnight’s NSNCW Feature: Deadline by May 16
- Free Webinar: The ending of the PHE and what it means for Kansas LTC Communities
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Wichita State participating in “Last Mile to Hire”
- Upcoming iQIES Service Center Hold Times
- The latest Your Top-Line publication for skilled nursing centers in your state are now available!
- CMS Announces Ending of COVID Staff Vaccine Requirement, Other Protocols
- 12th issue of the Semmelweis Times, a newsletter from the KDHE HAI/AR Section
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- The Office of the State Fire Marshal Webinar Recording: Fire Safety Book
- Senior Living Advocates Call For Greater Funding To Improve HCBS Access
April 2023
- CMS Releases Major Medicaid Access and Managed Care Rules
- FDA approves pill to treat deadly C. difficile infections
- Nursing Home Providers Enter Staff Training Phase for MDS Switch, Concerned About Agency Workers and State Variation
- State Fire Marshal Webinar – Friday, April 28, 2023 at 10:00 AM – The Importance and Layout of a Fire Safety Book in Your Facility
- KMAP Web Updates
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- TOMORROW! National Office Hours Call on the Ending Of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- TOMORROW! KFMC and KDHE HAI/AR Open Office Hours
- CMS Official: We’re ‘Very Seriously’ Weighing Nursing Home Operators’ Staffing Concerns, Creative Solutions Needed
- KDHE/DHCF May 2023 Medicaid Training Opportunities 5
- Upcoming iQIES Service Center Hold Times
- Legislative Update: Governor Kelly Signs Budget!
- National Office Hours Call on the Ending Of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- FDA Amends Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for COVID-19 Vaccines
- AHCA Chief Medical Officer Discusses Long Term Care Data Cooperative
- Legislative Update: Governor Kelly Signs Budget!
- AHCA/NCAL Summarizes Tuesday’s Presidential Executive Order: Biden Administration Announces Executive Actions to Improve Care
- FDA sanctions 2nd dose of updated booster for seniors, simplifies vax schedule
- Your AL Top-Line publication for assisted living communities is now available!
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Tomorrow: NCAL Webinar on Expanding Affordable Assisted Living Options
- Members Only Nurse Advisory Call – Friday, April 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM
- Members Only Facility Standards Call – Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM
- State Fire Marshal Webinar – Friday, April 28, 2023 at 10:00 AM – The Importance and Layout of a Fire Safety Book in Your Facility
- CMS Talks MDS Changes and Five-Star, Spotlights Behavioral Health; Deal Spending Dips 73% in Q1
- Monoclonal antibodies ‘unequivocally’ saved lives during pandemic, patient data show
- HHS Announces Expiration of COVID-19 PHE HIPAA Notifications of Enforcement Discretion
- Focus F-Tag of the Week: §483.24 Activities of Daily Living
- CMS failed to publicly post deficiencies for two-thirds of nursing homes, OIG finds
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- iQIES Planned System Outage April 13 8:00 p.m. ET thru April 17 8:00 a.m. ET
- 2023 AHCA/NCAL Awards Program Now Open!
- Webinar Recording Now Available: FY24 SNF Proposed Payment Rule
- Legislative Update
- Now Available – AHCA Summary of CMS FY 2024 SNF Proposed Payment Rule
- Focus F-Tag of the Week: §483.40 Behavioral Health Services
- CMS: Lapses in infection control, vaccine compliance to garner ‘aggressive’ enforcement
- MDS Transition on April 17
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- CMS Releases New MDS RAI Manual Version with ‘Substantial Revisions’
- iQIES Planned System Outage April 14 8:00 p.m. ET thru April 17 8:00 a.m. ET
- HHS Updates 2024 Medicare Advantage Program and Part D Payment Policies
March 2023
QSO-23-10-NH – CMS Issues Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes
Attention SNF Providers! – CMP Funds approved for CMS Certified Communities to receive a FREE Violett Air Disinfection Unit
- CMS Updates Guidance for Home Dialysis Furnished in Nursing Facilities
- CDC: Adults need only one updated COVID booster shot for now
- NCAL Webinar: Expanding Affordable Assisted Living Options
- Changes to our Daily Update
- Focus F-Tag of the Week: §483.80(d) Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunizations
- AHCA Population Health Management Associate Vice President Urges Providers To Prepare For CMS’ Care Goals
- AHCA/NCAL Awards Program Nominations Opening April 7
- CMS Announces PDPM Claim Edit Enhancements
- Are you a current AIT Preceptor or are you interested in becoming one?
- Careers in Aging Week
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Growing the Nursing Home Workforce Requires Investing in Caregivers to Create Good-Paying Jobs
- Senators blast HHS’ restrictive coverage for Alzheimer’s drugs
- Legislative Update
- CMS tightens guidance for nursing home dialysis providers
- KMAP Web Update
- Revenue Cycle Management Academy Can Help SNFs Stay Paid
- Upcoming Education: MDS – RAI Changes Workshop
- Focus F-Tag of the Week: §483.80 Infection Control- Infection Preventionist
- AHCA/NCAL Member Resources on Medicaid Unwinding Now Available
- CDC: C. auris spreading at ‘alarming’ rate in U.S. healthcare facilities
- Congressional Briefing Stacked with Exceptional Events and Special Guests
- Nursing Scholarship Application
- End Of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Will Have Sweeping Impact Across Health Care System
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Upcoming Outage During Planned NHSN Database Upgrade
- ‘Imperative’ to finalize staffing rule this year, dozens of House members tell CMS
- OIG fraud report portends more challenges for skilled nursing
- FREE Webinar: Water Safety and Reducing the risk for Legionella
- FDA advisers support full approval of Paxlovid for at-risk older adults
- Legislative Update
- FREE Webinar: CMS’s new schizophrenia audits: What you need to know NOW
- New National Infection Prevention Forum (NIPF)
- AHCA/NCAL Launches Campaign To Help Providers Recruit Staff
- Your Voice Matters: Be Part of the Solution
- Requiring the Impossible: Nursing Home Staffing Mandates During a Nationwide Labor Shortage Don’t Work
- HCBS Updates for March 2023
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC)
- Members Only Nurse Advisory Call – Friday, March 17, 2023 at 10:00 AM
- Members Only Facility Standards Call – Friday, March 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM
- Legislative Update
- AHCA/NCAL’s LaShuan Bethea, Holly Harmon Awarded McKnight’s Women of Distinction Recognition
- KMAP Web Update
- Membership Reminder
- Data Collection – It’s Not Limited to SNFs
- KMAP Web Update
- Now Available! Planning Guide and Products to Celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week – May 14 – 20, 2023
- Are you a current AIT Preceptor or are you interested in becoming one?
- Call for Presentations
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- SNFs kept up ‘remarkable’ level of rehab during pandemic, Harvard study finds
- Assisted Living Lunch and Learn: A Deeper Look at FCS/NSA and HSP
- March 2023 Issue of Prevention Highlights
- Providers pepper CMS with schizophrenia questions; agency cautions on MDS changes
- Analysis Highlights “Three Ps” That Are Key To Engaging Staff
- Measles Exposure at Large Gathering in Kentucky and Global Measles Outbreak
- Legislative Update
- Analysis: Pursing Quality Awards Leads To New Opportunities, Equips Organizations To Better Manage Crises
- A Message From the Office of the State Fire Marshal: K920 Electrical Equipment – Power Cords and Extension Cords
- HCS Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Study – Participation Open
- SNF and LTC Open Door Forum Tomorrow
- Call for Presentations
- Nursing Homes Should Conduct Quality Assurance Reviews Of Staffing Agencies To Ensure Patient Care Is Maintained
- Experts Discuss OSHA’s 2023 Regulatory Agenda
-
KMAP Web Update
February 2023
- Membership Reminder
- Miss Today’s Office of the State Fire Marshal Training?
- ICYMI: Mark Parkinson: One-Size-Fits-All Nursing Home Fix Doomed To Fail
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Legislative Update
- Did you miss yesterday’s CMS Stakeholders call?
- Attention HCBS Providers – March 17, 2023 is almost here. Are you Ready?
- PEAK Enroll Now
- Concerns Raised Over State Responses To Nursing Home Compliance With COVID-19 Vaccine Health Care Mandate
- Unwinding the PHE Continuous Eligibility Period
- Owner of collapsed Skyline chain close to plea agreement with federal prosecutors: report
- Learn More About Serving on the NCAL Board
- What They Are Saying: Senators, Experts Discuss Health Care Staffing Shortages
- The Impact of the Public Health Emergency on Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Valuable KDHE/DHCF Medicaid Training Opportunity 5
- Now Available! Planning Guide and Products to Celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week – May 14 – 20, 2023
- Day at the Dome
- Member Only Legislative Update from Friday, February 17, 2023
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call on Wednesday, February 22
- Resident to Staff Aggression: Prevention and Response Training – Hosted by LeadingAge KS
- Legislative Update
- NHSN Updates Data Tracking Worksheet for COVID-19 Vaccination
- As CMS tightens vise on Medicare Advantage, providers argue for even more help
- CARE Upload Tool Updates Training – 3/21/2023
- February Community E-newsletter from Aetna Better Health of Kansas
- Rise in fungal infections raising public health red flag
- Person Centered Approaches with People Experiencing Dementia – A free Webinar with the Office of the State LTC Ombudsman
- CMS Proposed Rule on Nursing Home Ownership Transparency
- Are you a current AIT Preceptor or are you interested in becoming one?
- New CMS ownership proposal targets private equity, REITs and related parties
- Senators push CMS to issue — and fund — federal nursing home staffing mandate soon
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Members Only Facility Standards Call – Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM
- From the Office of the State Fire Marshal: Fire Alarm Testing Documentation Training – 2/25/23 @ 10:00AM
- Legislative Day
- Upcoming iQIES Service Center Hold Times
- States Working To Prepare For Minimum Data Set Changes Set To Take Effect This Year
- The Future of Assisted Living
- Biden again touts ‘cracking down’ on nursing homes in State of Union address
- Opioid Risks and Overdose Prevention in Long-term Care Facilities
- 11th issue of the Semmelweis Times, a newsletter from the KDHE HAI/AR Section
- PHE Unwinding — Returning to Medicaid Eligibility Redetermination
- What would it take for your center to provide 4.1 hours per resident day (HPRD)?
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Texas, Nebraska Led Nation in Nursing Home Closures in 2022
- Flurry of Medicare Advantage regulation likely to hit nursing home coffers
- Legislative Update
- The latest Your Top-Line publication for skilled nursing centers in your state are now available!
- FDA no longer requires positive COVID-19 test to prescribe Paxlovid, Lagevrio
- Involuntary assisted living discharge proposal back in spotlight
- KHCA/KCAL Legislative Day – Monday, February 20th
- Nursing Home Industry Preparing For End Of COVID-19 PHE
- From the Office of the State Fire Marshal
- Take Action: Write CMS Today!
January 2023
- Public Health Emergency Ending May 11
- Take Action: Write CMS Today!
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- New data: With no booster, nursing home residents face 30 percent higher COVID risk
- Now Available! New Resource on Long COVID
- The latest Your Top-Line publication for skilled nursing centers are now available!
- Legislative Update
- Federal bill returning temporary nurse aide waiver gets new life
- 5-Star Staffing Rating Simplified
- 1 day left to apply for a 2023 National Quality Award!
- THIS FRIDAY! KCAL District 5 Round Table- Friday, January 27, 2023 from 2:00 – 3:30PM in Wichita, KS
- Senators Urge Biden Administration To Stop Plan To Mandate Nursing Home Staffing Levels
- FDA proposes two annual COVID shots for seniors in ‘simplified’ vaccine schedule
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Recording Now Available for AHCA’s Webinar Last Week: Contact CMS: Minimum Staffing Requirements for Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Legislative Update
- Webinar Tomorrow – Contact CMS: Minimum Staffing Requirements for Skilled Nursing Facilities – Register Today!
- Essential Lessons for SNF Department Heads
- ‘Unfair’ posting of disputed citations will tarnish operators: experts
- CMS Makes Updates to the Nursing Home Compare Website and Five Star Quality Rating System
- 2023 National Quality Award Application Deadline Next Week
- The KDADS CARE Team has updated their FAQs
- KCAL District 5 Round Table- Friday, January 27, 2023 3:30PM in Wichita, KS
- Members Only Nurse Advisory Call – Friday, January 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM
- Members Only Facility Standards Call – Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM
- White House Seeking Renewed Action To Improve COVID-19 Booster Uptake In Nursing Homes
- CDC, FDA to Investigate Weak Signal for Stroke in Seniors with Pfizer Bivalent Vaccine
- CMS Daily Digest Bulletin
- KMAP Web Update
- Legislative Update
- AHCA CEO: New Initiative Will Help Nursing Homes Facing ‘Unique’ Staffing Crisis
- National Stakeholder Call with the CMS Administrator on January 24, 2023
- Free Education for New Facility Managers
- Mentoring Your DON for 5-Star Success
- HHS Extends Public Health Emergency Through April 11
- Third Edition Quality Reporting Program COVID-19 Public Reporting Tip Sheets
- AHCA/NCAL Launches New National Workforce Campaign – Careers in Caring
- Staffing ‘instability’ might be new mandate metric; providers gear up for battle
- Social isolation linked to dementia in national study
- HRSA Releases Reporting Period 4 Guidance -Releases Additional Reconsideration Information
- Latest COVID shot cuts hospitalizations in seniors by 81 percent: study
- Special Messages from AHCA/NCAL Leadership
- HHS Offers States Flexibility to Better Address Medicaid Enrollees’ Needs
- Free COVID tests now available to all aging services providers
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Final Rule Update
- FDA approves new experimental drug to treat early Alzheimer’s
- 2022 Home Care Salary & Benefits Report Available
- Don’t be AmBivalent about the Bivalent Boosters – Understanding the Emerging Science Behind the Updated Boosters
- Letter to OSHA: AHCA/NCAL Requests Consistent COVID-19 Protocols that Recognize Current Stage of the Pandemic
- Feds to streamline staff flu shot reporting requirement
-
Attention Assisted Living and Home Plus Providers: FCS Refresher
- Skilled Nursing Providers Discuss Strategies To Address Challenges In 2023
- CDC Provides New Initiative to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination in LTC Settings
- Governor Kelly Announces Proposed New Kansas Veterans Home to be Built in Topeka
- Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
- Annual CNA/HHA Employment Verification — Deadline March 31, 2023
- Veterans Affairs proposes pay change for state-run nursing homes
- Final Rule HCBS Compliance Portal Down for Maintenance