UPDATE Weekly

Coding on the MDS is the primary factor in determining your Medicare and Medicaid rates. Traditionally, NCHCFA held this training on an annual basis to assist providers in maintaining their coding proficiency. Several years ago, the Medicaid case-mix was frozen, eliminating any impact the MDS had on Medicaid rates. In October 2016, case-mix was unfrozen. Now more than ever, it is important make sure your facility is up to date on the MDS to make sure you are receiving payment for the services you are providing.

Pat Boyer, RN, MSM, NHA of Boyer & Associates will present Essentials for Medicaid & Medicare Using the MDS 3.0! CMS has made many changes in the MDS and RUGs system over the years. Now in 2017, we are still challenged with correct coding of the MDS and what documentation supports the coding to ensure proper reimbursement. This training will discuss the MDS “Hot Spots” that are being identified in RAC review and other medical review activity. Participants are encouraged to submit questions and concerns prior to the workshop to karenl@nchcfa.org if there are specific issues they would like addressed. Discussion will also address the financial implications of the RUGs system, SNF, Value Based Purchasing (VBP), the Quality Measures and identify strategies you can implement to make sure you maintain accurate reimbursement.

Learning Objectives:
• Identify the status of the RUGS IV and MDS systems and any changes that have occurred in the last few years
• Determine how the MDS drives the Quality Measures and SNF VBP
• Discuss MDS “Hot Spots” being reviewed by RACs and Medical Reviewer
• Describe strategies for appropriate management of Medicare Part A Reimbursement using the MDS 3.0

YOU MAY REGISTER AND PAY ON-LINE! Please visit http://NursingHomesNC.com and click on Essentials for Medicaid & Medicare Using the MDS 3.0!

• April 19th – McKimmon Center, Raleigh, NC
• April 20th – Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be hosting a call to review the Emergency Preparedness Requirements Final Rule. The call will take place on Thursday, April 27 from 2:30 to 3:30 PM ET.

To register or for more information, visit MLN Connects Event Registration.

Is your facility prepared to meet the new emergency preparedness requirements by the November 15, 2017 compliance date? During this call, learn about implementation of the final rule, including an overview of the regulation and training and testing requirements. A question and answer session follows the presentation.

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NCHCFA Districts are scheduling their spring meetings.

District II
Royal Park Nursing & Rehab of Matthews
2700 Royal Commons Lane
Matthews, NC 28105
May 10, 2017
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

District III
Clapp’s Convalescent Nursing Home
500 Mountain Top Drive
Asheboro, NC 27203
May 16, 2017
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

District IV
Trinity Grove
631 Junction Creek Drive
Wilmington, NC 28412
May 11, 2017
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

District V
Universal Health Care / Fuquay-Varina
410 Judd Parkway
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
May 23, 2017
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Speakers are pending. If you have a subject you would like addressed by Association staff, please contact Eric Kivisto, erick@nchcfa.org.

District meetings allow participants to interact with peers in a comfortable atmosphere, promoting valuable and productive conversation. Space will be limited to 50 individuals but, unlike the previous district meetings, this will be open to any employees of your facility who may benefit from attending.

These programs will offer 3.5 contact hours for nursing home administrators. The North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association is a Registered Sponsor of continuing education with the NC State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators. Comments regarding the Registered Sponsor Course may be addressed to: NCBENHA, 3733 National Drive, Suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27612.

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The AHCA education library is a living repository of tools and resources to help you navigate the Requirements of Participation. It contains an array of documents divided into three categories- Action Briefs, Tools, and Webinars.

• Action Briefs – provide highlights, specific information, tips and resources about a
particular topic
• Tools – are an instrument designed to assist you in implementing the requirement
• Webinars – are an array of communications from AHCA to assist you in learning and mastering the new requirements

Click here to view the AHCA library and return often to see the newest materials available.

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The NC State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (NCBENHA) will offer the 2017 Preceptor Seminars on April 24-25, 2017 and April 25-26, 2017 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 2017 by NCBENHA. The deadline to register is April 14th!

Click here to download more information along with the registration form.

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An audio recording, transcript, and post-call transcript clarification are available for the March 15th call on the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing Program: Understanding Your Facility’s Confidential Feedback Report. During this call, learn about the program, including confidential quarterly feedback reports and implementation guidance.

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National Nursing Home Week® is May 14-20, 2017! AHCA’s 2017 National Nursing Home Week® (NNHW) specialty products are now available for purchase. This year’s theme with logo, The Spirit of America, is featured on many of the available items. This theme underscores the bond between staff, volunteers and residents that capture the American spirit. To purchase National Nursing Home week specialty products including posters, balloons, t-shirts, buttons, and more, shop on-line or call (800) 321-0343.

Members are encouraged to place orders early for best product selection (color, size, and available quantities). NNHW items are very popular and will sell out.

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With a growing library of webinars, courses, tools and resources, ahcancalED has become a valuable resource to AHCA/NCAL Independent Owners and Not for Profit providers. If you haven’t yet started making use of it, now is your chance to learn how and get started!

The Webinar will take a tour of ahcancalED, review some of the programs and rich educational material available, and teach you how to easily navigate through the system. What makes ahcancalED different from other learning management systems is its customization to the needs of AHCA/NCAL members. From the new Requirements of Participation, to QAPI, Faith Community Partnerships, and QI in Veteran’s Homes, ahcancalED is driven by the information that is critical to you.

Register today.

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This newly updated and revised book presents ready-to-use materials for planning, implementing, and evaluating cultural competence strategies and programs. Learn to identify the needs of diverse constituents, evaluate outcomes, prevent multicultural-related workplace conflict, and much more. Includes tools to evaluate and assess cultural competence on a companion Web site.

To order, visit http://www.AHCApublications.org or call (800) 321-0343. Fax orders may also be placed at (800) 869-5605.

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This brochure outlines what physical restraints are, when they should be used, rules and regulations concerning restraints, and making decisions about using them. To order, e-mail your request to Donna Snyder at donnas@nchcfa.org.

• NCHCFA Member: $30.00 per 100 brochures plus tax and shipping
• Non-Members: $60.00 per 100 brochures plus tax and shipping

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Maintaining A Safe Workplace Takes Teamwork

http://www.providermagazine.com/archives/2017_Archives/Pages/0417/Maintaining-A-Safe-Workplace-Takes-Teamwork.aspx

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A single cloud can weigh more than 1 million pounds.

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