UPDATE Weekly

Michael Wylie, Chair of the American Health Care Association (AHCA), has released a summary from the recent AHCA Board of Governors meeting. This summary includes information on AHCA goals, the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) that will replace the current Medicare Part A RUG system, quality and regulatory issues, and other items of interest to AHCA members.

To access Mr. Wylie’s summary, click here.

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Palmetto GBA, the Medicare Administrative Contractor that services North Carolina, will be hosting several upcoming education events.

Part A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Consolidated Billing (CB) Webcast: On Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at 11 AM, this Webcast is designed to provide an overview of SNF Coverage, SNF CB, MDS Resource Utilization Groups (RUGs), claim submission, and documentation. To register, click here.

Medical Review Hot Topic Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) 2019 Teleconferences: These calls are open to all providers. Join the Palmetto GBA Medical Review Subject Matter Experts as they discuss and answer your questions concerning current TPE process.

March 4, 2019, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, dial (877) 789-3907 and use confirmation ID 8778149.
June 3, 2019, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, dial (877) 789-3907 and use confirmation ID 1291838.
September 3, 2019, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, dial (877) 789-3907 and use confirmation ID 5369828.
December 2, 2019, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, dial (877) 789-3907 and use confirmation ID 6879568.

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Make plans today to attend the NCHCFA Annual Convention and Expo February 24 – 27, 2019. The meeting will be held at the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons/Joseph S. Koury Convention Center, Greensboro, NC. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Dr. Nido Qubein’s inspiring program on Monday, February 25th at 11:00 am.

From Success to Significance is a powerful and inspiring presentation on focus, balance, and meaning in business and in life. Out of adversity emerges abundance. Difficult times often are filled with opportunities. Dr. Nido Qubein came to the United States as a teenager with little knowledge of English and only $50 in his pocket, yet ended up a mega-success story. Today, he is president of High Point University, executive chairman of Great Harvest Bread Company, sits on the board of directors for two New York Stock Exchange corporations – and is one of the nation’s most sought-after leadership speaker and business consultant. He will share his own story, and his ideas and strategies for succeeding through even turbulent times. This dynamic, authentic, entertaining speaker delivers a powerful, inspiring message on finding focus, balance and meaning in business, and in life. You’ll leave this presentation entertained, and inspired to be impactfully innovative.

To view the full Convention Schedule of Events click here. Brochures will be available soon! Please call the Association at (919) 782-3827 if you need additional details.

Make your overnight reservation today. Call the Sheraton at (800) 242-6556 and identify that you are with “NC Health Care Facilities Association 2019 Convention” to receive the group discounted rate.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has mailed the new Medicare cards with the MBI to beneficiaries in North Carolina. There are three ways providers can get MBIs: ask your Medicare patients, use the MAC’s secure MBI look-up tool, and check the remittance advice. You can start using the MBIs even if the other health care providers and hospitals who also treat your patients haven’t. When the transition period ends December 31, 2019, providers must use the MBI for most transactions. For additional information on the MBI, click here.

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The North Carolina Health Information Exchange Authority (NC HIEA) oversees and administers North Carolina’s state-designated health information exchange, NC HealthConnex. NC HealthConnex is a secure, electronic network that facilitates conversations between authorized health care providers by allowing them to access and share health-related information. Through statewide connectivity and information sharing, NC HealthConnex will help to break down information silos between providers, achieve greater outcomes for patients, and create efficiencies in state-funded programs such as Medicaid and the State Health Plan. As many providers are aware, connection to NC HealthConnex is mandated for the provision of Medicaid and State-funded participation by various dates in the coming year. This includes all providers involved in a patient’s care (primary care, acute care, long term care, specialists, behavioral health and more).

The next Lunch and Learn Webinar will focus on the progress of achieving statewide connectivity, explain a new service offering called NC Notify, and review how providers can meet state reporting requirements efficiently via NC HealthConnex.

Title: Connecting Communities of Care via Health Information Exchange
Presenter: Jessica Brehmer, Business Development and Outreach Specialist, Health Information
Exchange Authority (HIEA), NC Department of Information Technology

Click here to register!

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The new Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) begins October 1, 2019. Developed and presented by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), the PDPM Academy is a 10-month training effort to help centers prepare for this massive change. It is both in-person training and continuing updates and support. Provider members of AHCA and NCHCFA who register for the PDPM Academy will have access to a PDPM 101 workshop Webinar, a full day in-person training, monthly workshop Webinars on key topics and emerging PDPM issues, “how to” Webinars on implementing additional tools developed by AHCA.

North Carolina’s in-person training will be March 26, 2019 in Greensboro, NC! Click here to view more information on the PDPM Academy. Brochures and registration will be made available in January.

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NCHCFA has scheduled the AHCA/NCAL Bronze Quality Award Workshop one last time before the end of the year. The first level is Bronze, Commitment to Quality. The third Bronze Quality Award Workshop is being offered December 18th in Raleigh, NC. Last year, 8 of out 10 facilities that attended the Bronze Quality Award workshop received the Bronze Quality Award! Click here for additional details and to download the brochure and registration form.

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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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If you were unable to attend one of our sessions with Cindy DePorter , Review and Updates from the State Survey Agency, the notebook used in the training is now available for purchase. Email Donna Snyder to order a notebook for your facility at donnas@nchcfa.org. The cost is $25.00 plus tax and shipping.

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PDPM: Idioms for ICD-10 Success

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The scientific name for American mistletoe is Phoradendron which means “thief of the tree” in Greek. Essentially a parasite, mistletoe sinks its roots into a host tree and leeches nutrients from the tree to supplement its own photosynthesis.

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