This week, DQA announced via its listserv two important changes that will impact the nursing home provide community. On Tuesday, citing the need for workload redistribution, a memo was released announcing modifications to the nursing home regional boundaries that change the counties covered by certain regional offices. In another surprise memo, DQA abruptly announced that effective August 1st, the third-party reviewer that conducts IDR and IIDR sessions has changed.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the final rule [CMS-1679-F] for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Medicare payment rates and quality program provisions for skilled nursing facilities.
Of note, comments on the separately released Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) [CMS-1686-ANPRM], or "pre-rule," are due on August 25, 2017. CMS may, or may not, act on the Resident Classification System proposal discussed in the pre-rule.
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Republican efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were dealt a stunning blow last week as several options to reform the health care system failed to garner the votes necessary for passage. Senator John McCain (Ariz.) joined with Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine) and all Democrats to defeat the so-called “skinny repeal” last Friday morning.
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As the assisted living profession continues to grow, being involved in a Quality Improvement program has many advantages and can help address pertinent issues. Participating facilities will receive training and educational tools in recognized performance excellence and quality improvement processes. PEAL members: join us for an Infection Outbreak Prevention webinar on Thursday, August 10 from 1-2 p.m
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CMS notified Skilled Nursing Facility (SNFs) that are non-compliant with SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) requirements for Quarter 4 of CY 2016, which will affect their FY 2018 annual payment update. CMS mailed non-compliance letters and placed them in the Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (QIES) - Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting (CASPER) system on July 14.
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WHCA is pleased and proud to announce WI facilities achieved 100% compliance.
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The WHCA/WiCAL website has a Job Center tool where members can post open positions. Simply follow this link, and fill out the proper information to submit your employment opportunity. You may also view submitted opportunities here.
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Rehospitalizations occur for a myriad of reasons, and infections can be one of them. Infections can wreak havoc on older patients’ health; a comprehensive infection prevention program can help reduce the risk of infections in nursing facilities and the possibilities of patient rehospitalizations.
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The U.S. Senate did not secure enough votes last week to modify the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and it is very unlikely that there will be much - if any - action on health care for the next few weeks. This means that the individual and employer mandates under the ACA remain the law of the land, even though it is not clear at this point how all the ACA’s provisions will be enforced by the Administration.
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Beginning August 1, 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new electronic portal, the Injury Tracking Application (ITA), will be accessible for employers to file web-based reports of workplace injuries or illnesses. OSHA’s secure website offers several different options for how employers submit the data electronically.
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Medicare Learning Network is hosting a Nursing Home Facility Assessment Tool and State Operations Manual Revisions Call — September 7
During this call, you will learn about a new Facility Assessment Tool to help identify and develop the specific assessment of your facility. Also, find out about frequently asked questions related to revision of the State Operations Manual Appendix PP for Phase 2 of the Reform of Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities final rule. A question and answer session follows the presentation.
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Last week, AHCA/NCAL announced the recipients for the 2017 AHCA/NCAL Awards program. Each year, AHCA/NCAL recognizes the men and women who selflessly care for individuals in long term and post-acute care centers, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) residences, and assisted living communities. Honorees demonstrate selflessness, compassion, and strive to enhance the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities in their communities.
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DOL published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input on how to move forward with new rule-making regarding the overtime rule. In 2016, the Obama administration finalized a rule that would have doubled the salary threshold under which certain workers would be guaranteed time-and-a-half pay when they work more than 40 hours in a given week. The rule faced subsequent litigation, during which a judge issued a preliminary injunction and the Trump administration ultimately declined to argue in support of the new threshold.
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Members are encouraged to access their SNF Review and Correct Reports, which contain the SNF’s Q1 2017 (January 1-March 31, 2017) Observed Performance Rates. These reports are available in the CASPER reporting section of the QIES ASAP system. The SNF Review and Correct Reports will be updated/refreshed every week to include new and corrected MDS data submitted prior to the deadline. After August 15, the MDS data for Q1 2017 will be frozen and eventually used for public reporting (October 2018). The Review and Correct Reports cover the following three MDS-based SNF QRP measures:
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WHCA/WiCAL is pleased to announce the opening of the Shining Star Awards nomination period for 2017!
Members are encouraged to nominate worthy applicants for the WHCA/WiCAL Shining Star Awards, which will be presented during the 66th Annual Fall Convention, November 1-3, 2017.
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National Assisted Living Week (NALW) provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding communities to recognize the role of assisted living in caring for America's seniors and individuals with disabilities. The annual celebration encourages assisted living communities to offer a variety of events and activities to celebrate the individuals they serve.
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2017 continues to bring changes and new survey challenges, including the scheduled nationwide launch of a new survey system that will blend the traditional and QIS systems. This revision to the survey process is currently scheduled to begin November 28, 2017, concurrent with the implementation of Phase II of the revisions to the Requirements of Participation. WHCA/WiCAL’s Overcoming New Survey Challenges workshops will help you meet these challenges and equip
you with the tools to demonstrate compliance with current and impending expectations, as well as provide you the latest information available regarding the revised survey process.
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At this webinar, representatives of HUD's Office of Residential Care Facilities (ORCF) will discuss the Section 232 program, which provides mortgage insurance for residential care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and board and care homes. In this program, get an overview about programs offered through ORCF, and get detailed information related to a number specific ongoing requirements for borrowers and operators.
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