UPDATE Weekly

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will make available free, provider-specific, comparative data reports for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) nationwide. The Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Report (PEPPER) provides SNF-specific data statistics for Medicare services that may be at risk for improper Medicare payments. SNFs can use the data to support internal auditing and monitoring activities. PEPPER is a free report comparing a SNF’s Medicare billing practices with other SNFs in the state, Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) or Fiscal Intermediary (FI) jurisdiction and nation. CMS has contracted with TMF® Health Quality Institute to develop and distribute the reports.

Free-standing SNFs and SNFs administered through long-term acute care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities will receive their PEPPER in hard copy format via USPS first-class mail, shipped on August 30, 2013. SNFs that are part of a critical access hospital will not receive PEPPER. The envelope containing the PEPPER is addressed generically to the Chief Executive Officer/Administrator. SNFs should be on the lookout for this envelope and ensure it is appropriately routed internally.

For more information on the SNF PEPPER, go to http://www.pepperresources.org/Home.aspx. Questions may be submitted through the Help Desk at http://www.pepperresources.org/HelpContactUs.aspx. CMS encourages SNFs to provide feedback on PEPPER through a feedback form so that the reports can be continually improved at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KZMB5BG.

[Return to top]

Please plan to join your friends and colleagues in beautiful Pinehurst, North Carolina, on September 11th and 12th for the Second Annual Autumn Classic Golf Tournament. The event will begin on Wednesday evening with a reception, dinner and program held at the world famous Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club. The Pinehurst Autumn Classic is being sponsored by the NC Health Care Facilities Association to benefit our political action committee (PAC). You do not have to play golf to participate! Visit the Association Web site at http://www.NursingHomesNC.com for registration details.

[Return to top]

The new deadline to receive completed nominations is Tuesday, September 10th. This date is quickly approaching!

Have you nominated one or more of your front-line staff for the Fabulous Fifty Award? What a great way to recognize and celebrate someone who makes a significant difference in the lives of your residents and their families. 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

Please click here to fill out nominations online or click here to download the nomination forms and mail in. 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.

[Return to top]

On August 23, 2013 CMS sent a memo to State Survey Directors clarifying steps to take to address MDS 3.0 discharge assessments that have not been completed and/or submitted. The purpose of the memo is to promote the completion of discharge assessments for inactive residents by September 30, 2013 to ensure compliance with related regulation.

Beginning October 1, 2013, MDS assessments older than 3 years will no longer be accepted. Since the discharge assessment information is used for quality measurement (QM) and to minimize impact on QM data, CMS has selected a reference date of October 1, 2012. CMS is requiring centers to take the following steps when discharge assessments have not been completed and/or submitted prior to September 30, 2013:

1. Identify any residents appearing on the facility’s current MDS 3.0 Roster report who are no longer active residents.

2. If the resident was discharged prior to October 1, 2012, a discharge assessment must be completed for the resident indicating the actual date of discharge in Item A2000, Discharge Date.

CMS is asking centers to complete and submit uncompleted discharge assessments as soon as possible, but no later than September 30, 2013. For more details related to completing and submitting the discharge assessments for inactive residents, see http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Downloads/Survey-and-Cert-Letter-13-56.pdf.

[Return to top]

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).

[Return to top]

The North Carolina Culture Change Coalition (NCCCC) 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.

[Return to top]

The North Carolina Directors of Nursing Administration (NC DONA) 18th Annual Conference will be held September 11-14, 2013 at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, 10,000 Beach Club Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC. CEUs will be offered for Administrators and Directors of Nursing. Session highlights include Regulatory Update in Long Term Care, Music & Memory, and 90 Minutes to a Leaner, Stronger & Hungrier Leader. Additional conference highlights include a two day trade show and an evening at the Carolina Opry. To register visit NC DONA’s Web site at http://www.ncdonaltc.com. If you need additional information please call Julie Braswell, NC DONA-Region II Director, at (336) 372-2441.

[Return to top]

Please join the American Health Care Association (AHCA) for a Webinar, titled “ICD-10-CM – What is it? Why? And What Next?,” on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at 2:00 PM ET, to learn more about implementation and the upcoming deadlines for the transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM.

As you are aware, 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. Unfortunately, most of the information and materials you read about in the media or find on the internet is focused around hospital compliance. LTC providers also must understand the implications and make the successful transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 or claims will not be processed. CMS has instructed all providers to develop an implementation strategy now that includes an assessment of the impact on the organization, a detailed timeline and a budget.

To learn more about how to get started, please join AHCA, with expert Deborah Johnson, RHIT, CHP (Life Care Centers of America, Corporate Director of Health Information Management/Privacy Officer; and AHIMA – Approved ICD-10 Trainer), and learn the background and reasons for the upcoming changes, as well as the first steps to take to begin to implement the changes. Learning objectives include:

• Learn the basics about ICD-10 and CMS’ timeline for implementation;
• Understand why the change from ICD-9 to ICD-10 and the ensuring differences;
• Discuss the important steps in an ICD-10 implementation strategy including how to perform an impact analysis, develop training and get additional ICD-10 expert help; and
• Learn about important budget considerations for ICD-10 implementation.

To register for this free Webinar, go to http://webinars.ahcancal.org/session.php?id=11516.

[Return to top]

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.

[Return to top]

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.

[Return to top]

The NCHCFA Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held February 23-26, 2014 at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel/Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC! Brochures outlining specific program information will be mailed in December.

[Return to top]

The May 2013 edition of the AHCA’s RAI/MDS User’s Manual, Version 3.0 is now available! The latest updates from CMS include revisions/updates to Chapters 2, 3, and 5. AHCA offers the RAI/MDS in two versions, a 3-ring binder with 49 tabs for easy reference or an e-book that is easy to navigate, and has excellent search capabilities.

The new May 2013 edition of the Long Term Care Survey has all the recent updates from CMS, including revisions to Appendix P on Dementia Care in Nursing Homes, and Appendix PP: F-Tag 309, Quality of Care, F-Tag 329, Unnecessary Drugs, as well as the earlier revisions to F-Tag 441 on Infection Control and F-Tag 155, Advanced Directives. New BONUS CD-ROM includes an electronic manual for convenient search of keywords and F-Tag numbers, exhibits/forms, and CMS transmittals. Order your copy today!

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

[Return to top]

NCHCFA’s most popular educational tool is still available, Mobility and Safe Movement of the Elderly, Improving Your Skills to Prevent Injuries and Reduce Falls, by Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L., FOTA, Dementia Care & Training Specialist. This DVD was developed in conjunction with Wake Allied Health Education Center, Durham Technical Community College and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Office of Information Systems. The content is formatted in separate segments in order to customize the delivery of content to your learning objective. Handouts developed by Teepa may be reproduced and accompany each video. To order, contact Jan Williams at janw@nchcfa.org. The price is $35.00 (tax and shipping included).

[Return to top]

This 96-year-old man’s love song for his late wife is guaranteed to make you tear up. Fred Stobaugh, from Peoria, Ill., wrote lyrics to what he called “Oh Sweet Lorraine” after his 91-year-old wife passed away last April. The couple met in 1938 and they were married for 73 years.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/08/viral-video-illinois-man-96-writes-tribute-song-to-late-wife/

[Return to top]

The Grand Canyon is up to 18 miles wide, 277 miles long and about a mile deep. Scientists estimate it took three to six million years to form.

[Return to top]