UPDATE Weekly

CMS has issued an S&C Memo “August 13, 2013 Deadline – Installation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems in Nursing Homes”. The content is consistent with the information CMS shared verbally with AHCA on August 7. It contains a Question & Answer section (questions were derived primarily by AHCA’s Life Safety Committee) which provides additional clarification related to the full-sprinklering requirement. Please take note of Section B which specifies the survey and enforcement process related to Life Safety surveys after August 13, 2013 (the deadline for all nursing centers to be fully sprinklered).

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It is time, once again, for the NCHCFA “Fabulous 50” awards! This time-honored event provides the opportunity to acknowledge front line, unlicensed personnel who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the long term care profession. 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 deadline to receive completed nominations is Tuesday, September 3rd. Please encourage your facility to participate in this special award program.

The dates for the 14th Annual Fabulous 50 Celebrations are:

District I – October 15, 2013, Grand Bohemian Hotel, Asheville
District II – October 21, 2013, Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte
District III – October 24, 2013, Grandover Resort, Greensboro
District IV – October 29, 2013, Mad Boar Restaurant, Wallace
District V – November 4, 2013, Renaissance North Hills Hotel, Raleigh

To fill out nomination forms online, visit the Member Center of the Association Website at http://www.NursingHomesNC.com. Click on “News & Updates”, select “2014 Fabulous 50 Nomination Packet” and choose “Survey Monkey”. If you have any questions about the Fabulous 50 awards, call the Association office at (919) 782-3827. Pictures for nominations submitted online may be e-mailed to kareno@nchcfa.org or mailed to the Association office.

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An updated version of the 2013 Checkwrite Schedule Document, specific to the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA), has been posted to the Provider Portal home page under Quick Links. The revised document explains the NCTracks checkwrite cycle and the meaning of the terms used in the checkwrite schedule, including cutoff dates and times for each method of claim submission. NCTracks encourages providers to refer to these documents to understand when claims will be processed and payments made. (The checkwrite dates have not changed from those previously published.)

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On October 1, 2014, the ICD-9 code sets used to report medical diagnoses and inpatient procedures will be replaced by ICD-10 code sets. The transition to ICD-10 is required for everyone covered by the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA); which includes all SNFs/NFs and some assisted living facilities.

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) will be hosting a Webinar on Thursday, September 12th at 2:00 PM. Click here for more information.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be hosting a conference call on Thursday, August 22nd at 1:30 PM. Click here for more information.

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The North Carolina Culture Change Coalition Presents “Alive Inside” the story of Music & Memory© with founder Dan Cohen. “Alive Inside” is a film documentary that captures the transformation that takes place when nursing home residents are handed iPods loaded with music from their youth. It explores the findings of extensive neuroscience research on the power of music and shows the dramatic impact of the program called Music and Memory© for those with dementia and other cognitive impairments.

Cost: Two people from every certified nursing home may attend FREE; CMS requests 1 of the free attendees to be an activity staff person; any additional staff will be $50 per person.

• October 1 – Durham Double Tree by Hilton Raleigh Research Triangle Park
• October 2 – New Bern Double Tree by Hilton New Bern-Riverfront
• October 16 – Statesville Ramada Conference Center Statesville

To receive registration information contact Becky Wertz, becky.wertz@dhhs.nc.gov, or 919-855-4580.

This session is intended for surveyors, ombudsmen and nursing home staff. NCCCC has applied for Administrator Credit Hours.

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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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The North Carolina State Health Plan is asking skilled nursing facility and assisted living facility directors for help to better serve patients who are covered by the Plan. The State Health Plan is offering a number of benefit changes for 2014, and assistance is needed to communicate these changes so patients and their families have the opportunity to make an informed decision.

Beginning in August and continuing through October, people covered by the State Health Plan will receive several explanatory mailings. The enrollment period for these plans will be the entire month of October 2013. The North Carolina State Health Plan has posted related resources on their Website at http://www.shpnc.org. To access the information, members may go to the “Medicare Retiree Medical Benefits” portion of the Website and look under Open Enrollment. In addition, the Plan is conducting a number of Medicare Outreach sessions in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and Florida in September and October. A schedule of events is also available on our Website.

If Plan members or their families have any questions, please encourage them to call Customer Service at 855-859-0966 Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.

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is an On Demand presentation where Palmetto GBA covers the background of the CERT program and process. They also discuss steps providers can take to insure success with a CERT audit and will outline some common errors and actions providers can take for the best possible outcome. The audio for this presentation will be broadcasting through your computer. It is recommended that you utilize headphones. Take some time to learn more about the CERT program.

To register and view this On Demand recorded program, click here.

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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. For a complete list of education sessions, speakers, expo information, and event schedules, visit the Convention & Expo Website. Advance registration for this year’s event continues through September 9.

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Through self-assessment tools, individual and small-group exercises and review questions, and case studies, supervisors can improve their own leadership skills. The keys to managerial leadership are operational, relational, and analytic skills. These are further broken down into 12 chapters. Each chapter describes the skill, suggests exercises for learning the skill, illustrates the skill with case studies, gives a set of review questions and related activities to assess learning outcomes, and closes with a self-assessment exercise to identify the current skill level of the reader.

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

Product #6860
AHCA MEMBERS $34.95

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The Hand in Hand: A Training Series for Nursing Homes on Person-Centered Care of Persons with Dementia and Prevention of Abuse is available from NTIS for $100.00 plus S/H. The product number is AVA21573DVD8 and can be ordered by telephone at 1-800-553-6847. It is not available to order from the Website.

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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 by contacting Jan Williams at janw@nchcfa.org.

NCHCFA Members only: $35 plus tax and shipping

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Healthcare spending continues to rise and it is important to determine the factors associated with individuals who are super utilizers of healthcare resources.

http://www.jlgh.org/Past-Issues/Volume-6—Issue-3/Predictors-of-Emergency-Department-Super-Utilizers.aspx

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You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.

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