UPDATE Weekly

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

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As a part of the American Health Care Association’s (AHCA) strategic plan for 2012, they are asking their skilled and post-acute care provider members to complete a survey to help better understand their performance in meeting your needs. This comprehensive research study is designed to measure your perceptions, motivations and expectations of AHCA. Your input is essential as AHCA continues to look for ways to provide a valued and meaningful membership experience to current and future members.

Shortly, you will receive an e-mail from McKinley Advisors, AHCA’s research partner on this project. The e-mail will invite you to complete an on-line questionnaire that will take less than 15 minutes of your time. The questions will focus on your perceptions of AHCA, the challenges you face and your professional needs.

Thank you for your support of AHCA.

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Below is a listing of the 2013 Fabulous Fifty recipients. NCHCFA would like to thank all facilities that submitted nominations. We had a tremendous response to help recognize front-line staff for their contributions. Each of this year’s recipients will be honored at the Awards program in their district. The 13th Annual Fabulous Fifty Special Recognition Awards program will be at the following locations:

• 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

District I

• Earl Buckner – Universal Health Care/Fletcher
• Nicole Galladay – Autumn Care of Saluda
• Jamie Greene – Elderberry Health Care
• Paula Henderson – Smoky Mountain Health and Rehab
• Judy Hughes – Pisgah Manor
• Rosemary Lopez – Autumn Care of Saluda
• Daniel Marr – Skyland Care Center
• Teresa Orr – Graham Healthcare and Rehab
• Shirley Owens – Carolina Village
• Kathey Phillips – Autumn Care of Waynesville

District II

• Veronica Adams – Carrington Place
• Olivia Bright – Huntersville Oaks
• Monica Coleman – The Oaks at Town Center
• Sherneter Collins – Jesse Helms Nursing Center
• Sheila Dalton – Sardis Oaks
• Rebecca Evans – Lutheran Home/Hickory West
• Autumn Kiser – Autumn Care of Statesville
• Glenda Miller – Wilkes Senior Village
• Sherry Welborn – Westwood Hills Nursing and Rehab
• Betty Williams – Alleghany Care and Rehab

District III

• Alicia Barker – Universal Health Care/Ramseur
• Darlene Duncan – Piney Grove Nursing and Rehab
• Shawanda Greene – The Oaks
• Liddie Howard – Peak Resources/Alamance
• Vance Hunter – Hillcrest Convalescent Center
• Sctaria Malloy – Jacob’s Creek Nursing and Rehab
• Samantha McCullough – Clapp’s Nursing Center
• Johnetta McKeithan – Peak Resources/Treyburn
• Lesley Tate – Alamance Health Care Center
• Famylyar Williams – Maple Grove Health and Rehab

District IV

• Michael Faison – Liberty Commons of Columbus County
• Ann Fowler – Cumberland Nursing and Rehab
• Teretha Jones – Harnett Woods Nursing and Rehab
• Lara Lyle – Liberty Commons Rehab Center
• Jackie Pevia – Highland Acres Nursing and Rehab
• Felecia Swann – Carolina Rivers Nursing and Rehab
• Janet Swinson – UniHealth Post-Acute Care/Neuse
• Mike Wilson – Highland House Rehab and Healthcare
• Nicole Woodworth – Southwood Nursing and Rehab
• Telthanie Yeoman – Trinity Grove

District V

• Anthony Bostic – The Oaks at Mayview
• Corey Fields – Heritage Healthcare of Farmville
• Ella Gibbs – Cross Creek Health Care
• Yatisha Lorden – UniHealth Post-Acute Care of Raleigh
• Brenda McKnight – Franklin Oaks Nursing and Rehab
• Rosa Norfleet – Three Rivers Health and Rehab
• Lorraine O’Neal – South Village
• Marshall Sneed – Universal Health Care/Oxford
• Latrice Storey – Liberty Commons of Johnston County
• Elaine Waters – Roanoke River Nursing and Rehab

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Section 3005 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (MCTRJCA) extended the therapy caps exceptions process through December 31, 2012, and made several changes affecting the processing of claims for therapy services. MCTRJCA also established a requirement for manual medical review of claims over $3,700. Beginning October 1, 2012, providers will be required to submit requests for approval to the MAC or legacy contractor in advance of providing services above the threshold.

CMS recently held a presentation on this process for all impacted providers.  If you were unable to hear the presentation live, a recording of the event has been posted and can be accessed by clicking here.

This on-line event includes:

• Overview of the Outpatient Therapy Cap exceptions process
• Instructions for submitting preauthorization requests
• Documentation tips
• Resources

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a National Provider Call on Medicare Provider Enrollment on Wednesday, October 10^th, 1-2:30 PM ET. CMS will provide Updates on Revalidation, Billing for Ordered/Referred Services and PECOS Enhancements.  For more information and to register, click here.

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The latest issue of the Medicaid Bulletin is now available.  This latest issue has information on:

• Recredentialing
• Upcoming Medicaid Seminars
• Duplicate Remittance and Status Reports
• Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs)
• Others items of value to the provider community

To access all of the issues of the Medicaid Bulletin, click here.

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The 2013 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award program is in full swing. AHCA/NCAL encourages all member facilities to get involved in the program. Why get involved? The program criteria is a powerful resource for quality improvement activities. Silver and Gold Quality Award recipients are more likely to have fewer survey deficiencies, better quality measures (such as lower use of off-label antipsychotics) and higher satisfaction scores than the national average. The Quality Award program can also help facilities meet the four AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative goals! Lastly, Quality Award recipients receive national recognition that can assist in marketing efforts.

Facilities planning to apply for the 2013 program should submit an Intent to Apply by November 1, 2012! This is not mandatory, but there are a number of benefits associated.

• The overall application fee is reduced by $200 at each award level; and
• Applicants who submit the Intent to Apply will receive regular communications from Quality Award staff with deadline reminders and tips on applying for the award.

To submit an Intent to Apply, facilities can simply visit the Quality Award Web site or e-mail program staff at qualityaward@ahca.org for instructions.

The Bronze Criteria Series is a sequential series of videos, or seminars, that address each of the twenty Bronze Criteria. This series was developed to help applicants understand and meet the demands of the Bronze criteria. To check out this series; please download the Bronze Viewing Guide.

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The US Department of the Treasury is requiring that all federal benefit and non-tax payments be paid electronically effective March 31, 2013.  The American Health Care Association (AHCA) held a Webinar earlier this week that discussed how providers can comply with the new regulation in their facilities with their residents.  This free, ninety-minute Webinar was recorded and is available for viewing at http://webinars.ahcancal.org/index.php.Learning Objectives:

1. Understand new rules requiring federal benefit payments to be made electronically by March 1, 2013;
2. Learn how the rules will affect NF’s current benefit deposit procedures;
3. Identify the role of financial institutions;
4. Discuss various NF scenarios and understand the actions necessary for compliance; and
5. Know how NF’s can help convert residents’ funds to direct deposit.

Because of the processing that may be required to convert those SNF residents that are now receiving paper checks, it is recommended that all required paperwork be completed no later than January 2013.  Changes may also be needed in your admissions policies and procedures.  DO NOT DELAY.  Additional information on this new requirement can be found at http://www.godirect.org.

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Palmetto GBA encourages all Medicare providers to register to receive e-mail updates from their listservs. By registering, providers can stay up-to-date with important Medicare information.  Registering for these e-mail updates is easy and free! To do so, you must first register and create a customized registration profile of the topics you would like to receive by e-mail, which are based on your Medicare benefit type.To register on-line, follow these easy steps:

1. Go to http://www.PalmettoGBA.com/medicare.
2. Click E-mail Updates at the top of the page.
3. Select Register Now to create your new member listserv registration. The member registration profile on-line form will display.
4. Complete the four (4) steps as instructed.
5. After you select the Register button in Step 4, you will receive an e-mail with your username and password for your records.

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This is a unique book that presents a host of tools for combating the depression that often accompanies the life changes associated with aging.  It features 11 innovative interventions built around everyday activities such as gardening, exercising, reading, and reminiscing that are designed to appeal to every older person.

These interventions are so simple they don’t feel like therapy, yet they produce such positive effects as increased self-esteem, decreased loneliness, lowered blood pressure, and heightened mental acuity.

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

Product #6890

AHCA MEMBERS $37.95

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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.  Order yours today!  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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Sam Simonson doesn’t hesitate giving an answer about how often he looks forward to visiting Vermilion Manor Nursing Home, “Every day”.

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/education/2011-12-31/high-school-students-learn-helping-nursing-home.html

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Out of the 100 apple varieties grown, 15 comprise 90% of total production: Red Delicious, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Fuji lead the way.

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