UPDATE Weekly

UPDATE Weekly #1693 – September 12, 2012

September 12, 2012

On-Line & Mobile Version

This Week’s Table of Contents:

COUNTDOWN FOR FABULOUS 50 NOMINATIONS
Just 2 days remain to submit nominations for the Fabulous 50 Awards. The deadline to receive completed nominations is Friday, September 14th.   The Fabulous 50 awards program honors individuals who are the backbone in our facilities because of the support they provide to our residents. A panel of judges from the Education and Programs Committee will select ten nominees from each district. Each of the award recipients will be honored at a dinner and awards presentation in their district.The dates for the 13th Annual Fabulous Fifty Celebrations are:

  • District I – October 18, 2012, Grand Bohemian Hotel, Asheville
  • District II – October 23, 2012, Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte
  • District III – October 25, 2012, Sheraton Four Seasons, Greensboro
  • District IV – October 30, 2012, Mad Boar Restaurant, Wallace
  • District V – November 1, 2012, North Raleigh Hilton, Raleigh

To fill out nomination forms on-line visit the Member Center of the Association Web site at http://www.NursingHomesNC.com.  Pictures for nominations submitted on-line may be mailed to the Association office or e-mailed to janw@nchcfa.org.  Only one nomination may be submitted for each discipline, but we welcome nominations from more than one department of your facility.

[Return to top]
GERIATRICS SYMPOSIUM: UPDATE IN GERIATRIC CARE: CONCEPTS AND PRACTICE OCTOBER 26, 2012
The Department of Family Medicine and the office of CME of the Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University in association with Eastern Area Health Education Center are pleased to offer: GERIATRICS SYMPOSIUM: UPDATE IN GERIATRIC CARE: CONCEPTS AND PRACTICE.  Those over the age of 65 now constitute 13% of the population. By the year 2030 this number will have risen to 20%. North Carolina’s moderate climate and relatively low cost of living continues to attract a growing number of retirees from across the country, ballooning the numbers of our already large indigenous population of older patients.Older patients often have different illnesses, physiology, and care needs. Our health care system must adapt to these issues to ensure optimal care. In an effort to help busy practices provide even more effective care of this population, the Department of Family Medicine offers this practical, clinically oriented update on effective management of the geriatric patient.  Upon completion of the conference, those attending should have greater knowledge and understanding of strategies to integrate into practice new developments in the following areas:

  • Renewed concerns about medication use in the elderly
  • Certification for hospice – When just the diagnosis is not enough
  • Alzheimer’s dementia updates
  • Community resources for the elderly (focus on dementia patients): Alzheimer’s Association of North Carolina
  • Accessing community services for older adults with dementia
  • Creative living center – An adult day health care program
  • Preventative medicine in geriatrics – Too little too late or less is more?
  • Frailty
  • A common problem: Urinary incontinence
  • Management of behavioral problems in dementia
  • End of life trajectories: Is it possible to make predictions?

To view the brochure click here, or to register online, click here.

[Return to top]
MEDICARE FALL WORKSHOP SERIES
Palmetto GBA’s 2012 Fall Tour Workshop series is well underway. Palmetto invites providers to join them as they discuss Medicare coverage and billing updates, as well as clinical and documentation information affecting the Medicare provider community.Topics will include:•Medicare updates•Provider Contact Center (PCC) process

  • Adjust/appeal/clerical reopenings
  • Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) – Liability
  • Updating beneficiary information with the Coordination of Benefits Contractor (COBC)
  • Billing and coverage reminders
  • Online Provider Services (OPS)
  • Web resources
  • Claims Error Rate Testing (CERT)
  • Compliance
  • Top inquiries/denials

This workshop series is recommended for hospital and skilled nursing facility (SNF) providers, administrators, billers, nurses and other healthcare professionals that submit claims to Medicare.

Palmetto is offering Part A sessions at the same time as  Part B sessions are offered. This will allow providers who wish to attend both sessions would be able to do so by attending the Part A session that pertains to their provider type (SNF or hospital) and then attending the Part B session that occurs opposite of their Part A session on the same day.

Click here for information on the Part A sessions.  Click here for information on the Part B sessions.

[Return to top]
REGISTER TODAY FOR IMPORTANT SEMINAR: CMS STATE COLLABORATION ON THE USE OF ANTIPSYCHOTICS
Register today for the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association’s “CMS State Collaboration on the Use of Antipsychotics.”  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), has announced the Partnership to Improve Dementia Care, an initiative to ensure appropriate use of antipsychotic medications for nursing home patients. This partnership – among federal and state partners, nursing homes and other providers, advocacy groups and caregivers – has set a national goal of reducing the use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing home residents by 15% by the end of 2012.  NCHCFA has been working with a coalition of stakeholders who will be involved in trainings offered to personnel on interventions that can be used to reduce antipsychotic medication use. This seminar is the “kick-off” for this partnership and will focus on comprehensive dementia care and therapeutic interventions for nursing home residents with dementia.
YOU MAY REGISTER AND PAY ON-LINE!  PLEASE VISIT http://www.NursingHomesNC.com AND CLICK ON CMS State Collaboration on the Use of Antipsychotics!  Register today, space is limited!  To download an additional brochure click here.This seminar will be held in the following locations:

  • October 10th  – Sheraton Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
  • October 11th  – Embassy Suites, Cary, NC
  • October 16th  – Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC

[Return to top]
COMPARATIVE BILLING REPORTS
Several nursing home providers have received comparative billing reports from CMS in follow-up to the agency’s announcement that it would be releasing SNF Comparative Billing Reports beginning August 31, 2012.  The announcement was brief and there were many unanswered questions – the American Health Care Association (AHCA) was finally connected with Safeguard this morning and received the following responses to our questions:

  1. How many SNFs received the comparative billing reports?  Five thousand SNFs received the reports.
  2. How were SNFs selected to receive the comparative billing reports?  CMS evaluated its data and provided a list of 5,000 SNFs that were identified as having the highest volume of Medicare Part A services paid.
  3. What specifically does the report focus on?  The report is based on Medicare final claims data from Jan. 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2011.  The following RUGs are included in the analysis:
  4. Rehabilitation Plus Extensive Services: RUX, RUL, RVX, RVL, RHX, RHL, RMX, RML, & RLX; and
  5. Rehabilitation: RUC, RUB, RUA, RVC, RVB, RVA, RHC, RHB, RHA, RMC, RMB, RMA, RLB, & RLA.

The utilization measures analyzed in the report are:

  1. The percentage of beneficiaries billed by therapy level grouping among the rehabilitation plus extensive services category for your SNF;
  2. The percentage of beneficiaries billed by therapy level grouping among the rehabilitation services category for your SNF, and
  3. The percentage of beneficiaries billed for ultra-high RUG codes among all therapy RUG codes for your SNF.

These measures will be statistically compared to the average of your CMS Region and national peers.

  1. Does Safeguard have a sample of the comparative billing report?  Go to http://www.safeguard-servicesllc.com/cbr/documents/CBR019_SNF_Billing_sample.pdf   to view a sample of the SNF comparative billing report.
  2. Some SNFs are alerting us that the comparative billing report contains inaccurate data – what should SNFs do in that instance?  You can call (530) 896-7080 to report inaccurate information; however you may receive a quicker response if you go to http://www.safeguard-servicesllc.com/cbr/requestform.asp  and fill out the inquiry form.  On that form, you can also alert Safeguard the best time for you to receive a return call.
  3. Is CMS, Center for Program Integrity (CPI) managing this effort?  This effort is not initiated or managed by CPI.  Instead, it is coming from CMS, Office of Financial Management, Provider Compliance Group (George Mills, Director).
  4. What are CMS’ plans for follow-up on these comparative billing reports?  We have been told that CMS has no plans to follow-up with the SNFs who were sent the comparative billing reports at this time.
  5. Will CMS be sharing these comparative billing reports with other federal agencies?  We have been told there are no plans to share this information with other federal agencies at this time.

You can access additional information on SNF Comparative Billing Reports at http://www.cbrservices.com.

[Return to top]
REGISTER TODAY FOR THE AHCA/NCAL 63RD ANNUAL CONVENTION & EXPO

The AHCA/NCAL 63rd Annual Convention & Expo will begin very soon with lots of great education sessions, speakers, networking and social events planned!  Consider registering for the Premium Full Meeting Package to make the most of your convention experience.  You’ll have access to all education sessions, the opening and closing general sessions, The Expo Hall with complimentary lunch, and more!  Don’t miss the premiere long term and post-acute care event of the year!

[Return to top]
AHCA PRODUCT OF THE WEEK-EMPOWERED WORK TEAMS IN LONG TERM CARE
Based on years of research, this practical guide illustrates the far-reaching benefits of empowered work teams in long-term care organizations and explains in everyday terms how to implement the concept. The authors present a fully-validated model for introducing the empowered work team concept to direct care staff, gaining support from the administration, and supervising the teamwork process over time. Hands-on tools include assessment forms, staff training materials, and step-by-step implementation guidelines. Guidance and troubleshooting tips are provided in the resource’s final chapter. Facility and program administrators, directors of nursing, staff supervisors, and team leaders will find this guidebook an invaluable tool for nurturing a more effective and motivated staff and, as a result, an improved care environment.
Product #8250
AHCA MEMBERS $34.95

[Return to top]
MOBILITY AND SAFE MOVEMENT DVD
NCHCFA is excited to offer this remake of our most popular educational tool, Mobility and Safe Movement of the Elderly, Improving Your Skills to Prevent Injuries and Reduce Falls, by Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L., FOTA, Dementia Care & Training Specialist.  Teepa, with whom most of you are familiar as one of the best in her field, is one of the most requested and popular speakers/educators. This DVD was developed in conjunction with Wake Allied Health Education Center, Durham Technical Community College and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Office of Information Systems.  The content is formatted in separate segments in order to customize the delivery of content to your learning objective.  Handouts developed by Teepa may be reproduced and accompany each video. To order, contact Jan Williams at janw@nchcfa.org.  The price is $35.00 (tax and shipping included).

[Return to top]
NEED TO GO
One resident’s trash is another animal’s treasure.

http://www.mcknights.com/one-residents-trash-is-another-animals-treasure/article/258380/

[Return to top]
DID YOU KNOW?
For the last eleven years, the end of summer has meant one thing to Americans, even if only subconsciously: the anniversary of September 11, 2001. It may be hard to believe, but this week we mark another anniversary of the terrorist attacks, and Americans haven’t forgotten. Whether we are honoring the memory of the victims and the heroism of the first responders with prayers, memorials or taking time for quiet reflection, this week offers all of us a chance to pay homage to what happened that day.An English proverb states, “A hero is a man who is afraid to run away.”  As we recall the first responders’ acts of personal heroism on September 11, 2001, we are struck with feelings of awe, a lump in our throats, and a great pride that so many acted in ways that few of us would think possible.  September 11 is a day for reflection, and its historical and emotional significance cannot lessen with time or diminish in any way.  We must all pay tribute to those thousands lost and those millions who rose in spontaneous, compassionate and effective service to help rebuild our spirit and our nation in the aftermath of the attacks.September 11th cannot be just about the attacks. It is also about compassion and national pride.

[Return to top]

North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association
3109 Bur Oak Circle | Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 782-3827 Fax | (919) 787-8418 | NCHCFA.org | NursingHomesNC.com

[email_link] | [print_link]

Categories: UPDATE Weekly