UPDATE Weekly

The Empira Fall Prevention program is a combination of nationally recognized evidence-based, fall-prevention practices and practical applications from numerous research studies. At the completion of their three-year program, Empira nursing facilities have collectively achieved a twenty to thirty percent (20% – 30%) reduction in the prevalence of resident falls. These findings, coupled with a significant reduction in the number of repeated falls, makes this presentation one that you will want to attend!

Presented by Sue Ann Guildermann, this in-depth session will cover the implementation of a comprehensive fall prevention and reduction program.

The cost to attend this seminar is $195 for members and $390 for non-members. This fee includes handouts, snacks, and lunch. YOU CAN REGISTER AND PAY ON-LINE! TO REGISTER, GO TO http://NursingHomesNC.com AND CLICK ON FALLS PREVENTION. Members may be invoiced. Non-members must submit payment on-line or mail with registration. Registration is open to anyone who would like to attend! SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTER TODAY!

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Myers and Stauffer LC has scheduled a series of refresher seminars developed for new and existing MDS staff. The five one-day seminars will be held April 22nd through April 29th. For more information, click here.

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The US Senate rejected 2 competing proposals that would have replaced the “sequester” — $85 billion worth of automatic, across-the-board budget cuts that took effect March 1. That means Medicare reimbursement will decrease by 2%.

The scheduled 2% reduction in Medicare reimbursement to physicians and other providers presumably would apply to all services rendered, beginning March 1. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services had no comment as yet on how the pay cut would be implemented. Judging by what occurred in previous planned pay cuts, it is likely the effects will not be felt for 14 days while Medicare administrative contractors temporarily sit on electronic claims. According to Palmetto GBA, they have not received any instruction from CMS on how to implement sequestration for Medicare payments.

In any event, most of the cuts will not take effect March 1st but will occur gradually through the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Each federal agency will implement its cuts differently.

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is tracking all movements related to the sequestration. Last week, the U.S. Senate rejected two legislative options: one Republican-backed effort that would give President Obama discretion on implementing reductions, and one Democratic option that focused on alternative savings and new revenue streams. AHCA understands that the House may introduce a continuing resolution extension proposal. The proposal would extend government operations until the end of fiscal year 2013 in accordance with funding agreed to under the Budget Control Act passed last year. The proposal may also include a provision that would allow departments more spending flexibility. At this point in time, no proposals indicate an impact on the mandatory two percent Medicare reduction facing the long term and post-acute industry.

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In spite of multiple notices, a number of providers, due for recredentialing, have not responded to requests from CSC, the NC Medicaid fiscal agent for enrollment, verification, and recredentialing. Some providers were mailed a final notice on March 1, 2013. These providers were given 10 days to respond to the final recredentialing notice or claims submitted for reimbursement will be denied. If you have any questions, call the EVC help desk at (866) 844-1113 immediately.

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Until the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides further instructions, all therapy claims that are suspended for manual medical review above the $3,700 threshold will be subject to prepayment medical review. Once a claim is received that has outpatient therapy services that exceed the $3,700 threshold, the claim will suspend and the provider will receive an additional development request (ADR).

The ADR letter will request medical documentation to demonstrate the medical necessity for additional outpatient therapy services over the threshold. Once the documentation is received, it will be reviewed by the medical review department nursing staff and a decision on the processing of the claim will be made. Once that decision is made, the claim will adjudicate according to that decision.

Palmetto GBA requests that providers do not submit claims for prior authorization since it is no longer required.

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The Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) has released a special bulletin to clarify when a PASRR is required prior to admission to an adult care home. To read this bulletin, click here.

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As part of continued progress toward the July launch of the new Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS), the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued notice to Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services (HP) of termination of the North Carolina Medical Assistance Contract for Fiscal Agent and Related Services, effective July 7, 2013.

According to DHHS Chief Information Officer Joe Cooper, the notice was a formal acknowledgment of the move to a new Medicaid billing and management system and in recognition of a longstanding and productive partnership between the state of North Carolina and Hewlett Packard. Hewlett Packard will continue to provide support to the current MMIS system through July 7, including help desk support and updates of critical changes to the current system to ensure prompt and efficient payment for providers. As a reminder, the HP help desk toll free number is (800) 688-6696. For provider enrollment issues, call our new vendor, CSC, toll free at (866) 844-1113.

The NC Department of Health and Human Services recently released an assessment report by an independent consultant brought in to determine the degree of readiness of the replacement Medicaid computer system (MMIS) leading up to the July 1 transition date. The report shows that the new MMIS system is on schedule to transition, but there are still critical risks that must be addressed. More information can be read by clicking here.

The new Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) will replace a 35-year-old computer system that processes 88 million NC Medicaid claims each year on behalf of 1.5 million Medicaid recipients, issuing checks to 70,000 providers totaling more than $11 billion.

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Essential Techniques for the Implementation of Non-Pharmacological Interventions with Older Adults

Health care providers will be given the essential skills that are the foundations of successful implementation of non-pharmacological interventions with older adults. These include therapeutic use of self, setting the environment, communication skills, and techniques to use while facilitating NPIs. Participants will role play various skills in order to demonstrate an understanding of these building blocks including cultural considerations. Participants will be provided the educational materials to train others on the material covered.

Date/Time: Thursday, April 18, 2013 | 8:25 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. (Check-in 8:00 A.M.)
Room 0030, Moses Cone Hospital, 1200 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC

Use of Non-Pharmacological Interventions in the Prevention and Treatment of Agitation and Anxiety in Dementia

Agitation in dementia is a complex problem that requires skilled and confident staff in order to prevent, reduce and treat its occurrence. Anxiety is a concern in older adults with and without cognitive impairment and has an impact on quality of life. This session builds upon what was learned in the NPI Essentials program but adds a toolbox of techniques specific to agitation and anxiety. The implementation of a variety of evidence based interventions is taught using role play and active engagement teaching strategies. The goal of the NPIs is to reduce the use of psychoactive medication.

Objectives

• Describe the different types of agitation that occur in dementia
• Demonstrate how to set up the environment to provide engaging activities
• Set up one self-engagement opportunity
• Perform an NPI that may reduce agitated behaviors

Date/Time: Monday, May 20, 2013 | 8:25 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. (Check-in 8:00 A.M.)
Room 0030, Moses Cone Hospital, 1200 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC

To learn more and register, please click here.

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The week of March 3rd through March 9th is Severe Weather Awareness Week in North Carolina. The National Weather Service does a great job reminding what needs to be done to be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws our way. Here are some of the key points:

Know Your Risk:

We face a wide variety of severe weather in the Carolinas! Here are some key stats:

• NC averages about 60 thunderstorm days/year.
• In the last few years alone, hail damage has totaled $100 million in NC.
• There have been 20 lightning fatalities in the last 10 years in NC.
• Tornadoes are a real threat, particularly in the spring months. The I-95 corridor faces the highest historical risk for tornadoes, whereas the coast sees far fewer.

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The NC State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators will offer the 2013 Preceptor Seminars on April 22nd and 23rd, 2013 and April 23rd and 24th, 2013 at the Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, SC. You will need to choose the first seminar dates for Renewal Preceptor certification and the second seminar dates for Initial Preceptor Certification and Continuing Education Only. The seminars will be open to all nursing home administrators seeking continuing education credits and/or preceptor certification. This is the only Preceptor Seminar being planned for 2013 by the NC State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators.

To register for your overnight rooms at Kingston Plantation, call 1-800-876-0010 or call (843)449-0006. The group’s special code is NBE. You can also book online at http://www.Hilton.com. Make sure that you are booking at the Embassy at Kingston Plantation. On the booking page, click on the box that says ADD SPECIAL CODE and then put NBE in the box marked “Group Code”. A block of rooms are reserved until March 23, 2013. Click Here to download more information along with the registration form.

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The national theme for the 2013 National Nursing Home Week (NNHW) is Team Care. NNHW will be observed in skilled nursing facilities throughout America, Beginning Mother’s Day, May 12th and continuing through May 18th, 2013.

NNHW’s theme recognizes residents and patients in long term and post-acute care settings, the dedicated staff who care for them, and the value of care planning where everyone “pitches in” for optimal outcomes. The observance is an opportunity to involve families, community members, youth, and others in a community-wide show of support and respect for these individuals and the staff who provide care or support services. Activities are designed to foster intergenerational contact, strengthen family relationships and to encourage volunteerism by individuals and local organizations.

Stay tuned for the planning guide, full of fun activity ideas to celebrate the week at your community. Themed products and merchandise developed by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) coming soon! For details visit http://www.nnhw.org and participate on Facebook. E-mail inquiries should be sent to nnhw@ahca.org. Please inform your staff of the date and theme!

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This book explores 28 challenging cases cover pivotal issues that most health care administrators and managers are likely to encounter at some point in their work—quality improvement, strategic planning, ethical dilemmas, organizational dynamics, cost–benefit analyses, resource utilization, and more. Providing an exceptional framework for decision-making and debate, Cases in Health Services Management is an outstanding casebook that provokes thought and discussion.

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

Product #8248
AHCA MEMBERS $59.95

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Sleep Deprivation Effects: 8 Scary Side Effects of Too Little Shut-Eye.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/06/scary-sleep-deprivation-effects_n_2807026.html?1362576279&utm_hp_ref=healthy-living#slide=2179189

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When electing a Pope, ballots have been burned since the 1417 conclave, but the practice of using white smoke — created by adding dry straw to the ballots, or, more recently, chemicals — to signal the election of a pope was first recorded in 1914. Before that, church bells were rung and cannons fired to signal the election of a Pope.

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