WHCA and AHCA continue to carefully monitor developments in the implementation of the revised Requirements of Participation, including the development and sharing of resources for members. Read below for news on WHCA and AHCA resources, the latest on CMS training for providers and surveyors, WHCA's upcoming training opportunities with state surveyor participation, and an update on the AHCA lawsuit blocking the implementation of the ban on arbitration.
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Seven Wisconsin facilities were recently honored as recipients of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) 2016 National Quality Awards.
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WHCA/WiCAL has produced an advocacy post card that offers member facility administrators, staff, and residents the opportunity to provide a brief personal appeal to legislators.
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Cost report submissions are due three months after the close of the relevant cost reporting period, with an automatic one month extension if a financial statement audit is completed. Please note that the earliest enforced deadline for 2016 cost report submissions will be October 31, 2016.
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Over the next four weeks, CareConnection will highlight different features of the new Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program, which began October 1.
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A group of 23 Republican legislators, mostly from rural areas of the state, announced on October 11 the second phase of the Rural Wisconsin Initiative with legislation that aims to improve health care access in rural areas of Wisconsin. This is the second piece of a legislative proposal released by Reps. Romaine Quinn (R-Rice Lake), Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg) and Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City).
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As a member-driven association, WHCA/WiCAL asks for your participation and input on several key issues!
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The Wisconsin Health Care Association and the Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living (WHCA/WiCAL) presented four awards last Thursday during the “Shining Star Awards” at the long-term care provider association’s 65th Annual Fall Convention.
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On Friday, October 21, Joint Finance Committee Co-Chair Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) and JFC Member Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) joined WHCA/WiCAL Executive Director John Vander Meer to discuss long-term care issues and the upcoming state budget. This article includes a few issues the legislators discussed.
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Ensure that your facility falls within state and federal compliance! Order your copies of Future Medical Decisions and Residents Rights booklets today.
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On Thursday, October 20 at Fall Convention, workforce experts convened to discuss Wisconsin's direct caregiver workforce shortage.
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The Wisconsin Quality Coalition (WiQC) held its fall Advisory Board meeting Thursday, October 13 at MetaStar in Madison. The group of providers and stakeholders meets twice a year to discuss quality improvement in Wisconsin’s nursing homes.
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If you are an Assisted Living facility (or are a SNF with an associated AL facility) not currently involved in PEAL/ WCCEAL, you are in luck! The WCCEAL new membership enrollment period will begin on November 1st and will only last for two weeks until November 14th.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), is holding its 15th annual FOCUS Conference for health care providers and DQA staff on November 16 and 17, 2016, at the Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells.
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WHCA/WiCAL’s contract lobbying firm Hubbard Wilson and Zelenkova produced this Capitol news roundup available to partners and clients...
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The American Health Care Association recently released a new management tool, which works with the LTC Trend Tracker: Your Top Line. Your Top Line is a quarterly report, and is only available to skilled nursing facilities that are AHCA/NCAL members, currently registered for LTC Trend Tracker.
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Attendees left Fall Convention informed, energized and reinvigorated to provide the best quality care possible to their residents. Convention offered several opportunities to unwind, and also to reignite your passion for caregiving.
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The National Quality Award application packets for the 2017 year are now available on the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Quality Award website pages. In addition to the applications, AHCA/NCAL members can also download the 2017 program calendar and submission checklist. Members are encouraged to use this time to review the application materials completely as there have been significant changes to the program’s survey eligibility requirements.
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Thank you our WiCAL Assisted Living communities who submitted their Quality Improvement data for Quarter III of 2016 to WCCEAL (Wisconsin Coalition for Collaborative Excellence in Assisted Living). WiCAL had great participation with 85% of our active WCCEAL members submitting data: ¾ up from 80% from last quarter!
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its Guidelines for Safety and Health Programs. The guidelines are not new mandates, but are recommended practices to prevent workplace injuries that can be implemented in any industry. They are designed to be used in a variety of small and medium-sized business settings, including senior living providers.
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