UPDATE Weekly

On December 5th, the Medicaid Reform Advisory Group held its first meeting to assist in the development of a reform plan of North Carolina’s Medicaid system. The advisory group, as instructed by the General Assembly, will be obtaining stakeholder input in a public forum and ensuring transparency in the proposal development process.

During this initial meeting, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reviewed the current Medicaid situation and outlook, and the principles and process for the reform effort.

Meeting presentations can be found on the Medicaid reform Web site by going to http://www.ncdhhs.gov/medicaidreform.

The advisory group has three citizens appointed by Governor McCrory, a state representative and senator:

• Dennis Barry (Guilford County), advisory group chair – Mr. Barry is CEO emeritus of Cone Health, a multihospital system serving the Piedmont region of North Carolina.
• Peggy Terhune, Ph.D. (Randolph County) – Dr. Terhune is the executive director/CEO of Monarch since 1995. She has worked with people with disabilities for more than 35 years.
• Richard Gilbert, M.D., M.B.A. (Mecklenburg County) – Dr. Gilbert has served as the chief of staff for Carolinas Medical Center and was the chief of the Department of Anesthesiology for Carolinas Medical Center for 20 years.
• Representative Nelson Dollar (Wake) – Appointed by House of Representatives Speaker Thom Tillis.
• Senator Louis Pate (Lenoir, Pitt, Wayne) – Appointed by Senate President Pro-Tempore Phil Berger.

All advisory group meetings are open to the public. The next meeting is scheduled for January 15, 2014. During this next meeting, there will be an opportunity for public comments.

The public can provide comments and recommendations for Medicaid reform by e-mailing medicaidreform@dhhs.nc.gov. Anyone seeking e-mail updates can go to http://www.ncdhhs.gov/signup.htm and select “Medicaid Reform” when filling out the form.

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The NCHCFA Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held February 23-26, 2014 at the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons/Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC! It’s time for Chair Cheryl Clapp-Coleman to pass the torch! Come help her celebrate like a champion. Join Cheryl and the Board of Directors in Olympic Village for the official gala of the 2014 Winter Olympics! As part of Package One and Three registrations, plan to attend this international affair. There will be food, fun and entertainment from around the world. The band Soul Fish is back by popular demand and will play all the greatest tunes from your favorite decade.

You will not need your passport to enter this international pavilion! Start the evening in Sochi, Russia with a regional refreshment before you head to the Krasnaya Polyana slopes. Represent team USA and ski like Lindsay Vonn on the Alpine Downhill Challenge or snowboard like Shaun White on Thunder Mountain. Once you have worked up an appetite, visit Hamburg, Germany for an imported surprise while continuing your tour through Europe. You do not have to go through customs when you return to the United States! Visit New York and challenge a colleague to a game of Air Hockey and recreate the 1980 Lake Placid, “Miracle on Ice” before you enjoy some American food and fun.

Will you make it to the medals podium? Come dressed as an Olympic athlete from the past or present, or as a spectator from your favorite country! Great prizes will be awarded for the best dressed male and female. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. You will not want to miss this global event. To view the entire 2014 Annual Convention & Expo Schedule CLICK HERE! Registration materials will be available next week.

Reminder, call the Sheraton at (800) 242-6556 to make your room reservation. Identify that you are with “NC Health Care Facilities Association 2014 Convention” to receive the group discounted rate.

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The “Updated LEIE” database file reflects all OIG exclusion and reinstatement actions up to, and including, those taken in November 2013. This new, “Updated LEIE” (List of Excluded Individuals and Entities) is a complete database file containing all exclusions currently in effect. Individuals and entities that have been reinstated to the federal health care programs are not included in this file.

All the updated files are posted at http://www.oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/exclusions_list.asp.

Instructional videos explaining how to use the online database and the downloadable files are available.

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Updated 12-05-2013: The Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum has been rescheduled from Thursday, December 5th to Thursday, December 12th from 2-3pm ET. CMS apologizes for the short notice in the date change. All participation information remains the same: (800) 837-1935; Conference ID: 14947458.

Planned Agenda:
I. Opening Remarks
II. Announcements & Updates
• Medicare Announcement
• JIMMO Announcement
• National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes
• MDS Training
• Questions from previous SNF/LTC ODF
III. Open Q&A

Encore is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 and entering the Conference ID. Encores for ODFs held on Thursdays can be accessed the following Monday. The recording is available for 3 business days.

For ODF schedule updates and E-Mailing List registration, visit the CMS Web site at http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums.

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This three-part DVD training series includes must-have background information for feeding assistants (Getting Started, 20 minutes), specific job responsibilities and procedures (Proper Feeding Techniques, 18 minutes), and helps prepare employees in case problems or emergencies arise (Problem Behavior and Emergencies, 14 minutes).

To order, visit http://www.AHCApublications.org or call (800) 321-0343.

Product # 6790D
AHCA Members (on-line price) $99.00

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Does your facility need an extra copy of the Membership Directory around the office? This informative guide lists the NCHCFA Board of Directors, member facilities (by facility, administrator and district), staff contacts, and the NCHCFA trade members. Contact Jan Williams at janw@nchcfa.org to order one for your facility.

NCHCFA Members only: $35.00 plus tax and shipping

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Large nonprofit LTC providers have embraced electronic health records, information exchange lags, survey finds.

http://www.mcknights.com/large-nonprofit-ltc-providers-have-embraced-electronic-health-records-information-exchange-lags-survey-finds/article/324585

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The pupil of your eye expands as much as 45% when you look at someone you love.

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