UPDATE Weekly

Due to Hurricane Irma, some nursing homes in South Carolina and Georgia have evacuated under mandatory orders. If your facility has admitted any of these residents, you should be aware of the CMS waivers related to these residents.

The President declared a state of emergency for the States of South Carolina and Georgia and the HHS Secretary declared a Public Health Emergency which allows for CMS programmatic waivers based on Section 1135 of the Social Security Act. An MLN Matters Special Edition Article on Hurricane Irma and Medicare Disaster Related South Carolina and Georgia Claims is available. Learn about blanket waivers CMS issued for the impacted counties and geographical areas. These waivers will prevent gaps in access to care for beneficiaries impacted by the emergency.

Check the Hurricanes Webpage for current information on temporary emergency policies and waivers.

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Late last week, North Carolina was in the forecast path of Hurricane Irma. Fortunately, the impact to North Carolina was much less severe than it could have been. Believing “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst”, NCHCFA reached out to our member facilities asking them to post their bed availability, in case facilities needed to evacuate and locate beds. We would like to thank each of the facilities that submitted information.

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As our members are aware, starting October 1, 2018, all Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Medicare Part A rates will be cut by 2 percent to fund an incentive payment pool. At that time, CMS will adjust payments and return some amount to providers based on how well they do in managing hospital readmissions by meeting or exceeding performance standards. This CMS effort, the SNF Value Based Purchasing (VBP) Program, links financial outcomes to quality performance.

Providers may think they don’t have to focus on the SNF VBP program yet as it does not affect payment until 2018. But CMS is currently collecting rehospitalization data that will be used to determine how much centers earn back.

This week we are featuring the AHCA Quality Initiative Series, part nine of a 10-part resource series designed by the American Health Care Association to support members in reducing rehospitalizations.

This eight-part series provides in-depth instruction and strategies to help members effectively meet impending payment and regulatory changes. It is designed with the intent of helping members succeed by providing insights into the changes, providing specific strategies that can be adopted by centers, and offering a comprehensive array of tools and resources. Each session will include a live webcast featuring experts from around the nation as well as supplemental materials to help members take action on the topic. These will be posted and available within the Quality Initiative topic area. Additionally, each session will include a community discussion where members can post questions and ideas.

Check out this resource here to learn more.

For more information about the SNF VBP program and to access additional resources and tools, visit the AHCA SNF VBP Web site here.

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The updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database file, which reflects all OIG exclusions and reinstatement actions up to, and including, those taken in August 2017 has been posted. The updated files are posted on OIG’s Web site at http://www.oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/exclusions_list.asp, and healthcare providers have an “affirmative duty” to check to ensure that excluded individuals are not working in their facilities or face significant fines.

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Our upcoming seminar on September 26th in Greensboro, NC, titled Coding Accuracy With a Special Presentation on Baseline Care Planning has sold out. We will not be able to accommodate any on-site registrations. If you registered for this seminar and are not able to attend, please e-mail Karen Lennon at karenl@nchcfa.org as soon as possible. For those unable to attend, we hope to have Judy Wilhide Brandt back again with this same presentation before the end of this year.

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Mark your calendar today for the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association’s all day session on the following important topics:

• New Interpretative Guidelines
• The second phase of the Requirements of Participation (RoP)
• Implementation of the New Survey Process

This information will be presented by Cindy DePorter, MSSW, State Agency Director of the Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) and Polly Welsh, VP and Director of Regulatory Affairs, NC Health Care Facilities Association. We have confirmed the following dates and locations to choose from. Brochures will be mailed to all facilities next week!

October 26th, 2017 – Embassy Suites, Concord, NC
November 2nd, 2017 – Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Durham, NC
November 9th, 2017 – Hilton Greenville, Greenville, NC

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It is time once again to acknowledge front line, unlicensed personnel who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the long term care profession. This 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 a Nurse Aide winner from each of NCHCFA’s five districts. In addition, one recipient in a non-nursing discipline will receive the Riley W. Clapp Outstanding Service Award. Each of the award recipients will be honored at the Annual Awards Gala during the Annual Convention and Expo on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 in Greensboro, NC.

To complete nominations on-line or to obtain additional forms, visit the Member Center of the Association Web site at http://www.NursingHomesNC.com. Click on “News & Updates”, select “2018 NCHCFA Annual Awards Packet” and choose “Survey Monkey”. If you have any questions about the Annual Awards, call the Association office at (919) 782-3827. Click here to download and print the brochure. Click here to print the nomination forms. Nominations received in the Association office after Friday, October 20, 2017 will not be considered.

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Summer is flying by and before you know it, Fall will be settling in. Now is the time to register for this year’s AHCA/NCAL 68th Annual Convention & Expo, and make your plans to join AHCA in Las Vegas in October. AHCA/NCAL has so many exciting things planned. From education sessions and networking events to good food and entertainment, you will not want to miss a thing.

Experience one of the largest Expos, supporting the needs of long term and post-acute care. Attendees have exclusive access to meet one on one with the business community. These specialists stand ready to share solutions that drive efficiency without sacrificing quality.

If you have been too busy to submit your registration, or haven’t made up your mind on attending, do not wait any longer. Commit now and register today! When registering, make sure to get your tickets for the Gala Dinner & Show with Huey Lewis and the News. It will be a night you won’t forget!

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This book will show you the true financial consequences of unchecked resident readmission and provide you with the tools to do something about it! It delivers several practical strategies your facility can employ, such as enhanced resident assessment and documentation policies, provider partnerships that improve transitions of care, staff education tools, and methods to achieve resident and staff involvement. You will learn how to ensure smooth care transitions through resident education and effective communication with staff and other care providers, reduce costs associated with rehospitalizations, and maintain or improve the resident’s quality of life.

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

Product # 8238
AHCA Members (on-line price) $129.00

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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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You and your staff are very different: Use it to your advantage

http://www.mcknights.com/the-world-according-to-dr-el/you-and-your-staff-are-very-different-use-it-to-your-advantage/article/688270/

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It is estimated that 40% of dog and cat owners carry pictures of their pets in their wallets.

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