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January 6, 2017

Requirements of Participation Mega Rule Update: Seminar Follow-up and Member Resources

Phase I of the largest overhaul of the regulations governing the federal Requirements of Participation (RoP) for skilled nursing facilities is now here. In early December, WHCA/WiCAL held well-attended workshops across the state to begin to address the early implementation of the RoP Mega Rule, and will continue to offer new information as available and provide timely and informative educational sessions on changes.
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WHCA/WiCAL Offers Webinar on Applying for National Quality Awards

Have you thought about participating in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award program? If you haven't, you should consider joining your peers across the state who have applied for the prestigious National Quality Awards! National Quality Awards let local health care systems and members of the community know that a facility is committed to quality.
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Quality Improvement Variables: Submission Reminder

For members currently participating in the WiCAL PEAL program, data for the Quarter IV reporting period must be submitted by January 15, 2017. Submission of your quarterly QI information is a necessary component of participation in PEAL/WCCEAL, and failure to do so will affect your participation status and access to valuable data. For those members that may have missed an entry or two in the past and that has affected their participation status, it is particularly critical for you to make your quarterly submission in order to retain full participation status.
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CMS Finalizes New Medicare Alternative Payment Models

On December 20, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final rule implementing the Advancing Care Coordination through Episode Payment Models mandatory bundled payment program—a new Medicare alternative payment models that continues the administration’s progress in reforming how the health care system pays for care.
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How to Submit the Annual Resident Satisfaction Survey

As a member of WCCEAL, you are required to conduct an annual satisfaction survey of your residents/tenants. The Center for Health Systems Research and Analysis (CHSRA), UW Madison will process the surveys. Individual survey results will not be shared with the Department of Health Services.
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January PEAL Webinar Reminder

Don’t miss out on the first PEAL (Performance Excellence in Assisted Living) webinar of the New Year! Next week Thursday, January 12 from 1-2 p.m., the WiCAL PEAL program will host its monthly webinar session facilitated by WiCAL Executive Director Brian Purtell.
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OIG Report: Two-Midnight Policy Led to Limited Access to Skilled Nursing Care

On Monday, December 19, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report noting that the two-midnight policy led to limited access to skilled nursing care. This Medicare policy requires patients to be hospitalized for two midnights before they qualify as an inpatient, which can allow beneficiaries to qualify for skilled nursing facility (SNF) coverage.
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AHCA responds to CMS proposed rule on pass-through payments in managed care

CMS has issued a proposed rule that seeks to codify guidance issued earlier this year related to the use of new or increased pass-through payments in Medicaid managed care. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) submitted comments to CMS expressing concerns about the proposed rule.
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