Speaker Vos Creates Three Bipartisan Task Forces

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) announced this week the formation of 3 task forces on: Alzheimer’s and Dementia; Urban Education; and Youth Workforce Readiness.
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Survey Rates Wisconsin Fifth Best in the Nation for the Reduction of Anti-Psychotic Medications

According to a report released by the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes, Wisconsin ranks 5th Best in the nation for the use of anti-psychotic medications.
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Congress Prepares for Recess, Busy Autumn

The Senate is wrapping up business this week in a special extension of the legislative session a week into August, a month typically used for recess. The House of Representatives wrapped up its legislative business last Wednesday and adjourned two days ahead of schedule.
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Public Hearing Scheduled on Oxygen Equipment Bill: Assembly Bill 242

The Assembly Public Health Committee has scheduled a public hearing on AB 242, relating to maintenance and use standards for oxygen equipment in nursing homes. The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, August 18, in Room 328 Northwest in the State Capitol.
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Family Care MCOs Post Losses of $10.1 Million for 2014

According to documents posted on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website and reporting on in Wisconsin Health News, a subscription news service, five of the seven Family Care managed care organizations ended 2014 with losses.
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DHS Final Public Meeting on 2015-16 NH Payment Formula - August 24

DHS will hold the third and likely final public meeting on the 2015-16 Nursing Home Methods of Implementation on Monday, August 24 from 1-4 p.m. The meeting will be in Room 751, 1 West Wilson Street, Madison.
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In-Person Assisted Living Forum Held

The Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) held the in-person Assisted Living Forum Tuesday at Madison College in downtown Madison.
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Fall Prevention Training: Strategies for Reducing Falls Among Residents in Assisted Living Facilities

The The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Assisted Living Listserve sent out the following announcement earlier this week... Please join us for an Adobe Connect webinar that will offer tips and strategies to incorporate into your facilities’ fall prevention plans.
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AHCA Supports the RAISE Family Caregivers Act (S. 1719/H.R. 3099)

AHCA and nearly 50 national organizations sent a letter of support to the lead sponsors of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act (S. 1719/H.R. 3099).
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CMS Releases FY 2016 SNF PPS Final Rule

Last week, CMS released the FY 2016 SNF PPS Final rule, which projected that aggregate SNF payments will increase by $430 million - or 1.2 percent - from payments in FY 2015.
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Kaiser Health News Releases Report on Hospital Readmission Penalties

According to a report by Kaiser Health News, 49 hospitals out of 66 hospital analyzed in Wisconsin received a penalty from the Hospital Resadmissions Reduction Program.
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Nominate a Worthy Applicant for a Shining Star Award Today

Members are encouraged to nominate worthy applicants for the WHCA/WiCAL Shining Star Awards, which will be presented during the 64th Annual Fall Convention, October 21-23, 2015. The no-exceptions deadline for nominations is Friday, September 11, 2015.
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AHCA to Launch Major Grassroots Campaign Regarding CMS Proposed Rule on Requirements of Participation

Gov. Mark Parkinson sent out the following message earlier this week... Our Board of Governors has just approved a major grassroots initiative in which we will ask our members to submit individual comments to CMS regarding the proposed rule on Requirements of Participation.
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CMS Unveils New Proposal on Bundled Payments for Hip and Knee Surgeries

Recently, CMS unveiled a 500+ page document detailing plans to implement a new Medicare Part A and B bundled payment model for hip and knee replacement surgeries. AHCA is currently in the process of collecting member input before sharing that feedback with CMS before the September 8 deadline.
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Quality Improvement Organization Update

The DHS-Division of Quality Assurance sent out the following notification earlier this week... As of August 1, 2015, the phone number for the previous state Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO) will no longer be forwarding to the new QIO phone lines as has occurred over the last year.
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Teepa Snow & Melanie Bunn Presentations in August -- Register Today, Save the Date

WHCA/WiCAL is pleased to announce that nationally recognized dementia care-giving experts Teepa Snow and Melanie Bunn will be leading three, one-day seminars later this month.
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UPCOMING WORKSHOP: Medicare and Medicaid Optimization

WHCA/WiCAL is pleased to announce an upcoming workshop that will cover key Medicare reimbursement strategies to ensure proper billing and reduce the risk of recoupment. In addition, the second half of this workshop will apply those strategies to the Medicaid reimbursement. We will discuss key processes that can assist in improving your facility’s CMI and also discuss supportive documentation to support that coding.
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