UPDATE Weekly

North Carolina’s much anticipated July 1st start-up of its Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) has been riddled with problems in its first three days of operation. Problems with access, timing out once logged in and general lack of technical assistance are leaving providers frustrated. NCHCFA is in the process of identifying the most problematic issues and will work to expedite solutions. We expected initial start-up problems and hope many of them can be resolved in the coming days. Hopefully we will be able report progress next week.

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According to the preamble of the regulation, “This final rule sets forth requirements consistent with requirements in the June 5, 2008 final rule (73 FR 32088) titled ‘‘Medicare and Medicaid Program: Hospice Conditions of Participation.’’

The rule primarily focuses on the information that must be contained in an agreement for hospice services between a hospice and nursing center and is effective August 26, 2013.

Following is the CMS summary of the changes to the proposed rule:

“We are adopting the provisions of this final rule as proposed, with the following changes:

• We originally proposed the standard regarding LTC facility/Hospice cooperation at §483.75(r); however, during the process of finalizing this rule, CMS published a separate interim final rule, Requirements for Long- Term Care (LTC) Facilities; Notice of Facility Closure (76 FR 9503). The interim final rule added standards §483.75(r) and (s). Since the standards at §483.75(r) and (s) are now in use, we are finalizing this standard at §483.75(t).

• In consideration of public comments, we are making three substantive changes in this final rule. We have made a revision at 483.75(t)(3) to clarify that the LTC representative must have a clinical background, function within their State scope of practice act, and have the ability to assess the resident or have access to someone that has the skills and capabilities to assess the resident. We have also made a revision to the requirement at §483.75(t)(3)(iii) removing the phrase “other physicians” and replacing it with “other practitioners.” Lastly, we have made a revision to the requirement at §483.75(t)(2)(ii)(E)(3) by removing the phrase “that is not related to the terminal condition.”

Technical Correction

• We are finalizing the proposed technical correction which would fix an incorrect citation at §483.10(n). In §483.10(n), we are revising the reference “§483.20(d)(2)(ii)” to read “§483.20(k)(2)(ii).”

• We are also finalizing the proposed technical correction which would fix an incorrect citation at proposed §483.75(r)(4). In §483.75(t)(4), we are revising the reference “483.20(k)” to read “483.25.”

To access the Final Rule go to: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities; Hospice Services

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Register today to attend the second annual NCHCFA Summer Symposium, August 6-8, 2013 at the Marriott Grande Dunes Resort, Myrtle Beach, SC for the most up to date information affecting long term care. You can register and pay on-line. Visit http://www.NursingHomesNC.com & click on Second Annual Summer Symposium Registration! Administrators and registered nurses will be able to earn up to 14.0 hours of continuing education. Early registration ends Friday, July 19th.

The North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association would like to thank the 2013 Summer Symposium Hosts for supporting this year’s event:

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Beginning in 2014 employers with 50 or more full-time or “full-time equivalent” employees during the previous calendar year must offer minimum essential health care coverage or pay a penalty.

Join Nancy Taylor, attorney Greenberg Traurig, for expert guidance on meeting the employer requirements in the Affordable Care Act. This free Webinar will be held July 16, 2013 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM ET. This Webinar will help participants:

1. Use the ACA Readiness Checklist
2. Understand triggers for whistleblower action
3. Understand audit triggers and risks

To register, click here. If you have questions or need more information, please e-mail the ACA team at insurancecoverage@ahca.org.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed a national partnership to improve the quality of care provided to individuals with dementia living in nursing homes. This partnership is focused on delivering health care that is person-centered, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary. By improving dementia care through the use of individualized, person-centered care approaches, CMS hopes to continue to reduce the use of unnecessary antipsychotic medications in nursing homes and eventually other care settings as well. The partnership promotes a systematic process to evaluate each person and identify approaches that are most likely to benefit that individual. While antipsychotic medications are the initial focus of the partnership, CMS recognizes that attention to other potentially harmful medications is also an important part of this initiative.

The call has been schedule for Wednesday, July 10 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM ET. During this National Provider Call, CMS subject matter experts will discuss the progress that has been made during the implementation of this national partnership, its successes, and next steps. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Topics include:

• National partnership overview: Success through data
• Stories from the field: State coalitions, providers, clinicians
• Next Steps
  • Provider feedback
  • What outreach strategies have been successfully implemented and have led to meaningful change in nursing homes
• Question and answer session

In order to receive call-in information, you must register for the call on the CMS Upcoming National Provider Calls registration Web site. Registration will close at 12:00 PM on the day of the call or when available space has been filled; no exceptions will be made, so please register early.

A link to the slide presentation will be e-mailed to all registrants on the day of the call. Continuing education credit may be awarded for participation in certain CMS National Provider Calls. Visit the Continuing Education Credit Information Web page to learn more.

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Before you break for summer vacation or to celebrate the July 4th holiday, don’t forget to register for the AHCA/NCAL 64th Annual Convention & Expo! Held October 6-9 in Phoenix, this is an event you don’t want to miss! The Convention & Expo brings together thousands of long term and post-acute care professionals from across the country and creates excellent opportunities for networking and learning.

Early bird registration ends July 19th so don’t wait any longer! When you register before the early bird deadline, you’ll save $100 off the Premium and Full meeting registration packages. Additional savings are offered on other registration packages as well.

For a complete list of education sessions, speakers, expo information, and event schedules, visit the Convention & Expo Website.

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Mark your calendar today for the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association’s “Falls Prevention-Train the Trainer” with Sue Ann Guildermann! This comprehensive two-day program will cover Empira’s comprehensive fall prevention and reduction program in more detail. If you missed Sue Ann’s one-day seminar in March, you will NOT want to miss this two-day program!

This two-day course will be held November 13-14, 2013 in Greensboro, NC. Brochures will be mailed this fall! You must attend both days to receive credit.

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Mark your calendar today for the North Carolina Culture Change Coalition’s training “ALIVE INSIDE” with Music & Memory founder Dan Cohen. This comprehensive program will cover the Music and Memory program in detail and help you to let the power of music move you to make a difference.

Save the date for your region:

• October 1 – Durham
• October 2 – New Bern
• October 16 – Statesville

Contact Becky Wertz at, becky.wertz@dhhs.nc.gov, or (919) 855-4580 for additional information.

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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. Order yours today! Contact Jan Williams at janw@nchcfa.org to place your order.

NCHCFA Members only: $35.00 plus tax and shipping

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Mothers and fathers aren’t the only ones urging adult children to visit their parents. China’s lawbooks are now issuing the same imperative.

http://news.yahoo.com/law-requires-chinese-visit-aging-parents-063254370.html

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The meaning behind the red, white and blue colors of the American flag? Red stands for hardiness and valor. White symbolizes purity and innocence. Blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

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