UPDATE Weekly

American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) President and CEO Mark Parkinson today issued the following statement following congressional approval of a fiscal cliff deal:

“We are grateful that the House and Senate steered away from cuts to Medicare through the sequester. As we’ve shown throughout these negotiations, the long term and post-acute sectors stand at the brink of our own cliff, already reeling from deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare throughout 2012.”

“As Congress prepares for legislation to raise the debt ceiling, we stand ready to work with lawmakers to continue acknowledging cuts are something we cannot absorb in 2013. This profession needs a break to return as healthy contributors to economic growth while delivering quality-driven health care.”

“Our compass is set for 2013. We will re-dedicate ourselves individually, and as a profession, to the Quality Initiative launched last year. The goals that plan sets out embody our vision to improve the lives of our residents, each and every day.”

Receive more information on the fiscal cliff, debt ceiling, and potential cuts to entitlement programs at our Annual Convention & Expo in February. Register today!

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Register today for the NCHCFA Annual Convention and Expo, February 10-13, 2013 at the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons/Joseph S. Koury Convention Center, Greensboro, NC. Call the Sheraton at (800) 242-6556 to make your room reservation. Identify that you are with “NC Health Care Facilities Association 2013 Convention” to receive the group discounted rate. Don’t miss the opportunity to earn up to 15 hours of educational credit for North Carolina Nursing Home Administrators, as well as up to 14 hours of Nursing CE credit! The advanced registration deadline is Friday, January 25th. To obtain an additional brochure visit “Education & Events” on the Member Center of the Association’s Web site at http://www.NursingHomesNC.com.

2013 Association State Dinner & Awards Gala
Celebrating Excellence with former White House Chef, Walter Scheib
Tuesday, February 12th
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

You do not have to be the President or First Lady to dine like one! Join Chef Walter Scheib as he duplicates the style of a flawless White House State Dinner while sharing memorable stories from his unique behind-the-scenes perspective. Chef Scheib will be onsite preparing this very special dinner from start to finish! You will be served a four course meal exactly as it was prepared in the White House, ingredients included!

For eleven years, Chef Walter Scheib prepared everything from simple to elaborate family meals and formal State Dinners. His culinary creations delighted White House guests including Nelson Mandela, Emperor Akihito, Jacques Chirac, Boris Yeltsin, Tony Blair and many other heads of state. Throughout his White House tenure, Scheib shared a unique vantage point from which to view living history. He will share how he closely worked with two First Ladies, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, and assisted each in placing their own stamp on White House entertaining. He describes daily life in the White House – with fascinating insider anecdotes, menu writing, as well as culinary insights and techniques.

Food is Scheib’s life-long passion. By the time he graduated from high school, he was eager to pursue a profession in the culinary arts. He did so by attending the Culinary Institute of America, from which he graduated with high honors. He has served as the Executive Chef at major hotels and resorts such as the five-star Greenbrier Hotel and the Boca Raton Resort and Club. You may have also seen Chef Scheib on Iron Chef America, where he was victorious over Iron Chef Cat Cora! Register today so you do not miss this extraordinary event!

Be a part of this special evening and join in recognizing the
North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association
2013 Special Award recipients.
Providers, vendors and community representatives will unite to honor excellence in our profession.

District I Nurse Aide of the Year
Jamie Greene – Elderberry Health Care

District II Nurse Aide of the Year
Shelia Dalton – Sardis Oaks

District III Nurse Aide of the Year
Johnnetta McKeithan – Peak Resources/Treyburn

District IV Nurse Aide of the Year
Mike Wilson – Highland House Rehab & Healthcare

District V Nurse Aide of the Year
Corey Fields – Heritage Healthcare of Farmville

Riley W. Clapp Outstanding Service Award
Liddie Howard – Peak Resources/Alamance

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The Consolidated Personal Care Services (PCS) program has gone through some drastic changes that became effective on January 1, 2013. Go to http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dma/pcs/pas.html to make sure you have the most up-to-date information available on these changes.

A summary of the PCS changes can be found in the January 2013 Medicaid Bulletin. The Bulletin can be read by clicking here.

One detail that PCS providers need to understand is that before Medicaid PCS services can be authorized, the potential PCS recipient must be approved for Medicaid then an independent assessment must be requested and completed. The assessment completion process can take up to 14 days above and beyond the amount of time required for the Medicaid eligibility determination. If authorized for Medicaid PCS services, PCS authorization will not be made retroactive to the date of admission. Payment for PCS services, at this time, will only be effective starting with the date of authorization.

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Each month, there are several publications and updated items of which the provider community should be aware. Some of these items are listed below. Please click on the items below to access the most recent version.

• J11 Part A Medicare Advisory
• Medicaid Bulletin
• List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) Database

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Palmetto GBA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will consider, in limited circumstances, an accelerated payment for J11 MAC Part A providers who are experiencing financial hardship due to claims that are unable to process within established time limits. This applies to claims that have been submitted, but payment has not been made due to a system malfunction. This does not apply to claims that have not been paid due to claims submission errors.

For additional information on this process, click here.

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The next Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)/Long-Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum is scheduled for Thursday, January 3, 2013, from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET. If you wish to participate, dial (800) 837-1935 and reference conference ID 78902294.

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Palmetto GBA will host a J11 Part A Ask the Contractor Teleconference (ACT) from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, January 17, 2013. The specialty topic for this ACT is Medical Review. This ACT is intended for J11 Part A providers billing for services rendered in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The teleconference is designed to open the communication channels between Palmetto GBA and the Jurisdiction 11 Part A provider community and to allow for identification and discussion of questions or concerns providers may have regarding Medicare Part A billing.

To help ensure your access to this teleconference, dial in five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. To participate, dial (877) 789-3907 and use pass code 95902621.

You are encouraged to submit questions prior to the call. Just fill out the Ask the Contractor Teleconference (ACT): Submit a Question form. To access this form, please go to http://www.PalmettoGBA.com/j11a/forms. Once completed, please send the form via fax to (803) 935-0140 addressed to J11 Part A Ask-the-Contractor Teleconference. All questions must be received at least five business days prior to the teleconference.

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The “Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System” Fact Sheet has been revised and is now available in downloadable format. This fact sheet is designed to provide education on the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS). It includes the following information: background and elements of the SNF PPS. You can access the fact sheet by clicking here.

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The notebook used in the October trainings is available for purchase. To order, contact Jan Williams at janw@nchcfa.org. The cost is $25 plus tax and shipping.

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This book describes how to change the culture of a long term care facility, and at the same time refine your leadership skills. The goal of this book is to make long term care more compassionate, effective, and successful through the leadership of the administrator. S.E.R.V.I.C.E. refers to service, education, respect, vision, inclusion, communication and enrichment – each with its own chapter and examples.

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

Product #6982
AHCA MEMBERS $23.95

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Amenities such as free lattes and valet parking are not new to hospitals. Years ago in a high-stakes fight to lure patients, hospitals began offering special amenities. But now the reason for these changes is to ensure high scores on patient satisfaction surveys, the results of which will affect Medicare reimbursement rates, starting this year. At issue are millions of dollars annually, all the more significant as the industry sees so many other dollars slipping away.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/01/02/2579106/new-emphasis-on-patient-surveys.html#storylink=misearch

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According to the 2012 National Football League Rules, for games in outdoor stadiums, eight new footballs used exclusively for the kicking are shipped from the manufacturer directly to the referee. For games in indoor stadiums, six new footballs are shipped.

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