What’s happening: In QSO-26-09-ESRD CMS moved guidance and survey procedures for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities to Appendix H of the State Operations Manual (SOM). This...
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for our second member webinar focused on the Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) process following an Immediate Jeopardy citation....
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What to know: Successfully demonstrating past noncompliance requires strong documentation, clear evidence of corrective action, and ongoing monitoring to support sustained compliance. Because this remains...
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What’s new: CMS released Admin Info Memo 26-06-NH on May 15, 2026, outlining Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 guidance for Federal Monitoring Surveys (FMS) in nursing homes. The...
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Feedback needed: VHCA-VCAL’s Survey Management and Analysis Resource Tool (SMART), together with the Survey Questionnaire, is an essential members-only resource used to track, analyze, and...
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Don’t miss out on the May 19 members’ only webinar at on the Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) process. This one-hour session will give you current,...
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What happened: The member petition to the Virginia Supreme Court asking for the court to require DMAS to implement the increase in Medicaid nursing facility...
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Reminder: The next submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) is May 18. This includes MDS assessment data and COVID-19 vaccination coverage...
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What we’re reading: A recent article in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News outlines four MDS coding mistakes that may draw greater attention from CMS. These insights...
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CMS has provided updated guidance for institutional providers for coding claims for vaccine administration when the vaccination is the only service billed on the claim. The effective...
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Upcoming deadline: All nursing homes are required to report on annual influenza vaccination among healthcare personnel (HCP) by May 18, 2026, in the CDC National...
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What’s new: CMS recently updated its Data Validation Process Frequently Asked Questions document with several revisions: CMS added new FAQs addressing how facilities should designate Points of...
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Block your calendar on April 28, 2026 at 12:00 pm for a focused, members only webinar on Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) and Substandard Quality of Care...
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CMS posted a web-based training that provides the latest information about the future respecification of the Falls with Major Injury (FMI) Quality Measure (QM) for...
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Just announced: Mark your calendar for a free, two‑part educational webinar series exclusively for members, focused on Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) and Substandard Quality of Care...
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CMS released an updated Five-Star Quality Rating Program Technical User’s Guide, effective with the April 2026 refresh. In this update, the long-stay antipsychotic medication quality measure...
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Now is the time to check your Payroll Based Journal Data, verify it, and submit it for Quarter 2 (January 1 – March 31, 2026)....
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What’s happening: The Veterans Health Administration (VA) has announced the agency is starting recovery audits for community care claims submitted for veteran and beneficiary care. ...
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What’s new: CMS released QSO-26-08-NH on April 8, 2026 to provide important clarifications and flexibilities for Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEP/CEP). The guidance...
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Survey tip: We are aware that surveyors are requesting facilities provide proof of the required general and professional liability coverage during entrance conference at the...
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What to know: The latest CMS proposed rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) for fiscal year (FY) 2027 proposes a...
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What’s new: CMS released an update to QSO-26-03-NH on surveyor guidance on April 3, 2026. The updated memo primarily clarifies provisions in the State Operations...
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CMS posted an errata change table document to the MDS 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User's Manual v18.0. This document is related to the clarification of details for...
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What’s happening: The CDC recently updated what it means to be “up to date” on COVID-19 vaccinations for both residents and health care staff. This...
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ICYMI: VHCA-VCAL recently received a message from VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) Long Term Care Division Director Kenya Jeanlouis about removal of Immediate...
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What’s happening: Virginia has implemented a new Advanced Registered Medication Aide (ARMA) role to expand medication administration capacity in long-term care settings within nursing homes...
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A recent CMS MLN Connects newsletter noted that the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General found that Medicare Part D...
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This week VHCA-VCAL filed an opening brief with the Virginia Supreme Court in our member petition asking the court to require DMAS to increase Medicaid...
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CMS released information about a new online form for providers to submit complaints about Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Complaints may be related to appeals, payments, denials, and other plan specific issues,...
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Moments in Bloom is about the everyday acts of compassion and connection that grow into something meaningful for residents, families, and the staff who make...
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Tomorrow, March 13, is the deadline for the annual DMAS nursing facility wage survey. Participation is mandatory for all non-hospital-based nursing facilities participating in Virginia...
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The deadline to respond to the annual DMAS nursing facility wage survey is March 13, 2026. Participation is mandatory for all non-hospital-based nursing facilities participating...
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What’s new: CMS recently posted three important updates to its SNF Provider Enrollment Guidance and FAQ document. The section regarding the suspended application submission due dates for all SNFs (I)(C) was updated...
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What’s happening: CMS recently updated the Long Stay (LS) Antipsychotic measure calculation to include claims. CMS reports it has identified a subset of residents with...
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Check your report: CMS released the March 2026 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP)...
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What’s new: LTC Trend Tracker recently released its newest customizable report, the CoreQ Customer Satisfaction Report. This report provides assisted living and skilled nursing users...
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What’s happening: CMS announced it is improving the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program by switching to email notifications and electronic fee coupons, and electronic CLIA certificates....
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Take note that a revised version of the PBJ Data Specifications is now available. Version 4.10.0 has a restriction on the maximum value per day...
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Now available: AHCA is excited to announce the release of a new resource addressing the revised long-stay antipsychotic medication measure. The goal of this resource is to...
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Moments in Bloom: AHCA is excited to announce the launch of the 2026 National Skilled Nursing Care Week® (NSNCW) Planning Guide, promotional toolkit, and products!...
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Reminder: Responses to the annual nursing facility wage survey conducted by DMAS are due March 13, 2026. Participation is mandatory for all non-hospital-based nursing facilities...
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What’s new: On February 4, 2026, CMS posted an updated Survey Resource folder, which included updates to several Critical Element Pathways (CEPs). Most of the changes...
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What’s happening: In a report, the US Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General found that some skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) did not comply...
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ICYMI: On February 2, the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) shared an update for its OLC supervisors contact list noting that Kenya Jeanlouis...
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What’s new: The CDC has revised the definition for what is considered up to date for the COVID-19 vaccine for both residents and healthcare personnel (HCP) via...
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Two important data submission deadlines are approaching: Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for October 1 – December 31, 2025 by February 14, 2026....
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Reminder: Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have until February 14, 2026 to preview their latest Provider Preview Reports in iQIES to see the quality measure performance...
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Revised memo: CMS released QSO-23-01-NH REVISED on January 28, 2026, updating the selection criteria for the Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program. CMS will now emphasize...
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CMS has refreshed the Quality, Certification, and Oversight Reports (QCOR) on the S&C QCOR Home website. This refresh follows the data freeze in July 2025 related...
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What’s happening: CMS has identified an issue with one of the data files scheduled for the January 28, 2026, Nursing Home Care Compare refresh. As...
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What’s new: CMS has published a fact sheet, Impact of Combined MDS Assessments on SNF APU illustrating how Medicare 5-Day and Prospective Payment System (PPS)...
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Latest update: CMS recently posted the updated Design for Care Compare Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System: Technical Users’ Guide. The updates note that effective with...
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Action needed: Review this memo from DMAS on completing the annual nursing facility wage survey. Responses are due March 13, 2026. Participation is mandatory for...
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What’s new: Today, January 15, 2026, VHCA-VCAL received the following guidance from the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) on the publication of survey...
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What’s happening The CMS data validation process for the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) and Quality Reporting (SNF QRP) programs is now underway....
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What’s happening: Although CMS announced on December 9, 2025 that the agency indefinitely suspended the mandatory off-cycle SNF Medicare provider enrollment revalidation process January 1,...
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CMS released a Quality and Safety Special Alert Memo, QSSAM-26-01-NH on January 9, 2026, related to the impact of the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluations System...
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Save this list of the updated contacts for the leadership team at the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC). The list is up to...
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Important reminder: With recent updates to the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) webpage, providers should be using the designated Enter a Facility Reported...
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Save the date: On January 6, 2026 at noon, join us for an exclusive webinar with the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (VDH OLC)...
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What’s new: VDH has shared an updated list supervisors for the Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) survey teams. OLC Supervisors Piedmont Vallie Anderson |...
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CMS notified providers that the SNF Data Validation Process for the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) and Quality Reporting (SNF QRP) programs will...
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What’s new: VDH has launched a new portal to allow the public to register formal complaints and providers to electronically submit a Facility Reported Incident...
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As shared previously, CMS informed AHCA that the mandatory off-cycle SNF provider enrollment revalidation deadline of January 1, 2026, has been suspended indefinitely. CMS posted...
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Reminder: Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have until December 18, 2025 to preview their latest Provider Preview Reports in iQIES to see the quality measure performance...
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What’s happening: CMS released an interim final rule (IFR) on December 2, 2025 that repeals parts of the Biden Administration’s staffing mandate. Specifically, the IFR...
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What to know: VHCA-VCAL has obtained information from Anthem to assist providers in resolving billing issues related to the transition to Medicaid Patient-Drive Payment Model...
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Additional details: On December 1, CMS posted resources to the Civil Monetary Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP) webpage about changes to the program originally announced in...
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CMS has released the official Technical Specification Report for the Falls with Major Injury (FMI) measure. This report incorporates feedback received during the cross-setting Technical Expert...
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Breaking news: Today, December 4, CMS informed AHCA that the mandatory off-cycle SNF provider enrollment revalidation deadline of January 1, 2026, has been suspended indefinitely....
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What’s new: In follow-up to legislation passed earlier this year, VDH has issued updated regulations affecting electronic monitoring in resident rooms in nursing facilities and...
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What’s new: VDH has announced the new leaders at the Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC), including three supervisors of the survey teams. The agency...
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Free resources: The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), in collaboration with the...
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What’s happening: November 12, 2025 marked the end of the longest ever federal government shutdown in American history. While some providers experienced challenges from a...
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The submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) is fast approaching. All data must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm...
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The latest: On October 31, 2025, CMS issued a second revision to QSO-26-01 ALL REVISED. This is the memo outlining contingency plans for CMS and...
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New resource: AHCA has developed a Veterans Administration (VA) Community Nursing Home (CNH) pricing comparison tool as a member benefit for fiscal year (FY) 2026....
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Don’t forget: November 14, 2025 is the deadline for providers to submit your Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for July 1 – September 30, 2025....
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What’s happening: November marks the first billing cycle since DMAS made the transition from a RUGs-based payment system to the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM)...
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Free resources: The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), in collaboration with the...
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CMS issued QSO-26-01-ALL REVISED on October 21 detailing its contingency plans for operations during the continued federal government shutdown. The memo established that the activities,...
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What’s happening: The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) filed its response to the VHCA-VCAL member petition to the Supreme Court of Virginia. In September,...
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What’s new: Virginia’s Advisory Board on Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability held its second meeting today, October 23. The agenda included updates from DMAS, the...
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What’s happening: CMS finalized a policy for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) who participate in the SNF Quality Reporting Program, a validation process that began in...
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What’s new: CMS posted several key resources for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) for the FY 2027 and FY 2028 program...
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Good to know: With the recent updates to the CDC guidance for the COVID-19 vaccine administration, many have asked about what to report to the...
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ICYMI: The CMS QSO-26-01-ALL memo outlines contingency plan for the Quality, Safety & Oversight Group (QSOG) and the Survey & Operations Group (SOG) during the federal government...
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What’s new: CMS recently released a QSO-25-26-NH announcing updates to the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP). The memo outlined several areas that AHCA has advocated for...
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What’s happening: On October 1, 2025, Virginia Medicaid shifted from a RUGs-based system to the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM). This change affects how nursing...
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What’s new: This week DMAS published the SFY 2027 Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Methodology. The updated methodology reflects several changes to the program metrics...
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What’s new: CMS has posted an updated quality measure user manual, along with updated measure specifications and risk adjustment files. These include: Updated Nursing Home...
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Reminder: In the FY 2025 SNF Prospective Payment System (PPS) Final Rule, the CMS finalized a policy for SNFs who participate in the SNF Quality Reporting...
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As of September 19, 2025, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has withdrawn its appeals of the lawsuits challenging the CMS federal minimum staffing requirements...
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What’s happening: On September 15, the members of the new Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability Advisory Board met for the first time to provide advice...
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In follow up to the Executive Order he issued last month, Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced the members of the Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability...
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Check out the final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.20.1, which is now available in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set...
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Avoid compliance pitfalls: Facility assessments are mentioned more than 100 times in the CMS State Operations Manual (SOM) and F838 – Facility Assessment – specifically...
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Important reminder for providers: Federal and state regulations require background checks and registry screenings to be completed and documented before an individual begins working in...
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[caption id="attachment_232443" align="alignright" width="518"] Keith Hare talks about the petition to WTVR.[/caption] What we're reading: Media coverage of VHCA-VCAL’s petition to compel DMAS to pay...
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What’s happening: This week, 181 VHCA-VCAL members will file a petition with the Supreme Court of Virginia against DMAS for failing to implement Medicaid nursing...
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Too often, documentation in long term care captures tasks but misses the person. A chart note that a resident “refused a shower” overlooks what really...
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What’s happening: CMS recently posted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 State Performance Standards System (SPSS) findings through the release of Admin Memo: 25-04-ALL. With the...
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Last chance for input: DMAS has asked VHCA-VCAL to share a short survey so the agency can better understand how nursing facilities provide access to dental care...
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Survey focused webinar series: Get our upcoming four-part webinar series on your calendar for practical tools and resources to strengthen your survey preparation. Registration is...
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Download your August 2025 Performance Score Reports for the FY 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program from iQIES. The reports include the incentive payment multiplier...
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What’s new: CMS has posted the final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version 1.20.1v3 and Item Matrix v1.20.1v3 in the Downloads section of its MDS 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument...
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CMS announced on August 15, 2025 it will temporarily pause Nursing Home Care Compare updates due to the recent transition to iQIES. Information on Care...
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ICYMI: On August 11, 2025, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed Executive Order (EO) 52 to strengthen oversight of Virginia’s nursing homes by increasing the workforce at...
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What’s happening: On July 30, 2025, CMS issued a revised version of QSO-25-23-ALL and marked as expired two other QSO memos. Per QSO-25-23-ALL, focused infection...
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Upcoming deadline: Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for April 1 – June 30, 2025 by August 14, 2025. You are encouraged to...
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ICYMI: WTVR, the Richmond CBS affiliate, and McKnight’s Long Term Care News reported this week on the Virginia nursing home staffing standard and the uncertainty...
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Input needed: AHCA is re-releasing its Medicare Advantage (MA) data initiative for 2025, following its initial launch in 2024. AHCA members are asked to share...
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What’s happening: On July 29, VDH formally informed VHCA-VCAL of leadership changes at the Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) and its Long-Term Care Division....
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Be on the lookout: CMS has notified facilities that were determined to be out of compliance with the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF...
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CMS has updated the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports in iQIES. These reports contain quality measure performance scores that will be published on...
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What to know: CMS released technical updates to Appendix PP via Transmittal 231 issued on July 9, 2025. Each of the changes noted was technical and...
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What’s new: In the FY 2025 SNF Prospective Payment System (PPS) Final Rule, CMS finalized a policy for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) who participate in the...
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What’s happening: AHCA has received notice from the CMS that the agency is extending the deadline for the mandatory SNF provider enrollment off-cycle revalidation from...
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Your Topline on LTC Trend Tracker: AHCA/NCAL recently made available the 2025 third quarter edition of Your Topline for skilled nursing facility members. This report...
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Upcoming deadline: Skilled nursing facility (SNF) providers enrolled in Medicare or Medicare/Medicaid must submit a mandatory off-cycle provider enrollment revalidation by August 1, 2025, or risk having...
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What’s new: CMS recently published updates to the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) Manual and associated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Providers are encouraged to view both updated resources in detail...
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What’s ahead: On July 14, 2025, CMS will release the new Internet Quality Improvement & Evaluation System (iQIES) Electronic Plan of Correction (ePOC) system functionality to...
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What’s happening: CMS recently announced its intention to reformat Nursing Home Statements of Deficiency. Director of the CMS Quality, Safety, and Oversight Group, David Wright,...
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Download your June 2025 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the FY 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program from iQIES. What’s included: These reports include facility-level...
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What’s ahead: On July 14, 2025, CMS will release the new Internet Quality Improvement & Evaluation System (iQIES) Electronic Plan of Correction (ePOC) system functionality...
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Take this quick survey: DMAS has asked VHCA-VCAL to share a short survey so the agency can better understand how nursing facilities provide access to dental care...
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What to know: July 1 marks the start of the state fiscal year and the effective date of most legislation enacted in the General Assembly...
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On June 11, 2025, the US Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued Directive (DIR) 2021-01 Revision 2 titled Extending the Scheduling Moratorium...
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What’s new: CMS released QSO-25-20-NH on June 18, 2025. The new memo describes updates coming to Nursing Home Care Compare. CMS will change to how...
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Take this quick survey: DMAS is conducting a survey so the agency can better understand how nursing facilities provide access to dental care for Medicaid...
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In 2023 the General Assembly passed, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin approved legislation to implement and enforce nursing staffing requirements for nursing facilities with a delayed...
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Feedback needed: DMAS is committed to ensuring that all Medicaid beneficiaries have access to high-quality, comprehensive health services. As part of that mission, the agency...
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On June 11, DMAS announced all Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) rates effective for dates of service beginning July 1, 2025, including nursing facility (NF) and specialized...
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What’s new: CMS recently added four new on-demand Quality in Focus (QIF) videos to its Quality, Safety & Education Portal (QSEP). The video modules address commonly cited...
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What’s happening: DMAS has announced that effective July 1, 2025, it is implementing a new Cardinal Care Managed Care (CCMC) Contract. This May 29 Medicaid...
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What’s new: CMS has posted two updates of interest to nursing homes. Check out the details: Updated Draft MDS 3.0 Item Sets SNF Billing Guidance...
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Quick reminder: Virginia Administrative Code specifies that nursing facilities must carry both: general liability insurance of at least $1 million, and professional liability coverage in...
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What’s new: VDH OLC has shared an updated list of OLC supervisors with us. Please make note of the updated contacts listed below; VHCA-VCAL will...
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What’s happening: CMS has extended the deadline for reporting the annual National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Personnel data to May 23,...
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What’s happening: As part of the final steps to formalize the state budget, the Clerk of the House of Delegates communicated to Gov. Glenn Youngkin...
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What’s happening: On May 9, CMS posted updated sub-regulatory guidance for the mandatory off-cycle SNF provider enrollment revalidation addressing a number of frequently asked provider questions submitted...
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The submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) is fast approaching. All data must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm...
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What’s happening: Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for January 1 – March 31 of 2025 by May 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST....
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Official proclamation: Virginia is honoring Skilled Nursing Care Week May 11-17, 2025. The proclamation by Gov. Glenn Youngkin honors the dedicated professionals including direct caregivers,...
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What’s new: CMS recently released a new resource for providers on the survey process and common requests providers may receive during surveys. CMS states the...
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What to know: The deadline for nursing homes to report health care personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination coverage in the CDC’s National Health Safety Network (NHSN)...
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What’s happening: The April 17, 2025 edition of MLN Connects included formal notice that the skilled nursing facility (SNF) revalidation deadline has been extended to...
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As a reminder, effective April 28, 2025, surveyors will begin using the revised surveyor guidance found in QSO-25-14-NH. This memo updates previously released guidance from...
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Now available: AHCA has developed a summary of the CMS proposed rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2026 update....
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What’s happening: CMS has notified AHCA/NCAL that the mandatory off-cycle SNF provider enrollment revalidation deadline has been pushed back to August 1, 2025. CMS says...
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Keep in mind, May 15 is the deadline to submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for Q1 2025, January 1 – March 31, 2025. Skilled...
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What to know: Last year, CMS announced its upcoming transition and training plan for State Survey Agencies (SSAs) to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System...
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What happened: On April 7, 2025, the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled in favor of AHCA and the other plaintiffs...
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Share with your billing staff: CMS published an MLN Matters brief to help skilled nursing facilities use the correct place of service (POS) codes for...
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This Friday: AHCA is hosting another member-only office hour on April 4 at 2:00 pm to address member questions about the upcoming deadline for the...
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What’s happening: DMAS has competed its analysis of the first three metrics for this year’s first round of Medicaid nursing facility value-based payments (VBP). While...
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On March 14, 2025, CMS rescinded QSO-23-03-All – The Importance of Timely Use of COVID-19 Therapeutics. The memo was referenced in Executive Order (EO) 138997- Improving...
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Reminder: Skilled nursing facility (SNF) providers enrolled as Medicare or Medicare/Medicaid must submit a mandatory off-cycle provider enrollment revalidation by May 1, 2025. CMS issued this mandatory...
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What’s happening: In a set of over 200 budget amendments released this week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin eliminated the $21.65 million for two years (total =...
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What’s happening: Sentara Health Plans has announced its PCH Portal is being retired and will not be accessible after April 15, 2025. Providers may continue...
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ICYMI: CMS again changed the effective date of its surveyor guidance across several regulatory areas when is issued an update to QSO-25-14-NH. The latest version...
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Reminder: Responses to the annual nursing facility wage survey conducted by DMAS are due March 14, 2025. Participation is mandatory for all non-hospital based nursing...
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Tapestry of Life: AHCA has launched the 2025 National Skilled Nursing Care Week® (NSNCW) Planning Guide, promotional resources, logos/graphics, and products! These materials, available at...
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Action needed: The annual nursing facility wage survey conducted by DMAS is now live. Responses are due March 14, 2025. Participation is mandatory for all...
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The submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) is approaching. All data for July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024...
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Don’t forget: February 14, 2025 is the deadline to submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for October 1 – December 31, 2024. Check out these...
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Send a message to your legislators: VHCA-VCAL is asking legislators to support funding in the Senate budget to increase Medicaid direct care rates. Budget conferees...
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CMS announced new and extended exceptions for reporting under the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP). It also provided guidance on how...
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ICYMI: QSO-25-12-NH, dated January 15, 2025 revises QSO-25-07-NH, which was released on November 18, 2024. The memos address the revised long term care surveyor guidance...
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On January 17, 2025, the CMS released a revised Admin Info: 25-06-NH memo related to guidance for Federal Monitoring Surveys (FMS). According to the memo, FMS...
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Reach out to your members of the General Assembly to ask them to support budget amendments to increase funding for nurses and nurse aides so...
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Check your data: CMS has updated the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports in iQIES. These reports contain quality measure performance scores that will...
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What’s happening: Subcommittees in both the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate are scheduled to hold hearings on legislation that will impose significant new sanctions...
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Now online: Individuals with certain iQIES user roles may complete the MDS 3.0 Manual Individual Correction/Deletion Request form online. The form is required under certain...
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What’s happening: DMAS has instructed its contracted managed care organizations (MCOs) to start pre-payment verification of information related to the payment transactions for the Year...
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What’s new: The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User's Manual v17.0 and accompanying Risk Adjustment Appendix File are now available. The manual was effective beginning January...
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More updates: CMS recently posted another update to its sub-regulatory guidance for the SNF Mandatory Off-Cycle SNF Provider Enrollment Revalidation process. The latest update is dated December 20, 2024 and includes four changes (italics): Section (VI)(G)...
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CMS released a new administrative memo on December 20, 2024, which updates the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP) application process. The memo discussed three primary changes:...
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New resource: To help members navigate the changes in the survey guidance in QSO-25-07-NH, AHCA created a new action brief on the changes regarding the Right to...
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AHCA announced "Tapestry of Life" as the theme for next year’s National Skilled Nursing Care Week® (NSNCW), which will run May 11-17, 2025. About the...
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New resource: To help members navigate the changes in the survey guidance in QSO-25-07-NH, AHCA created a new action brief on the changes related to...
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Keeping up with the changes: In the last ten days, CMS posted two additional sets of changes to its sub-regulatory guidance for the SNF Mandatory...
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Did you know? ahcancalED offers a comprehensive training for nursing facility administrators and nurse leaders on the Five-Star Quality Rating System. This education program reviews...
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CMS has posted an updated Nursing Home Care Compare Technical Users’ Guide on its Five Star Quality Rating System page. Effective with the January 2025...
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What’s new: The December 2024 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program are now...
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For your calendar: The CDC National Health Safety Network (NHSN) will host refresher training about the newly combined reporting form for respiratory pathogens and vaccination....
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CMS has updated certain Medicare beneficiary non-coverage notice forms that apply to both Medicare Fee-for-Service and Medicare Advantage covered beneficiaries. They will become effective January...
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For your radar: CMS continues to update its sub-regulatory guidance for the SNF Mandatory Off-Cycle SNF Provider Enrollment Revalidation process. Updates posted on November 26, 2024...
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What’s happening: Two recently issued reports highlight Medicare paid claim error rates in the fee-for-service (FFS) program for fiscal year 2024. AHCA/NCAL believes that there...
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WYKTK: CMS continues to update its sub-regulatory guidance for the SNF Mandatory Off-Cycle SNF Provider Enrollment Revalidation process. This latest update dated November 15, 2024, includes important...
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What’s happening: A new CMS memo, QSO-25-07-NH, to state survey agencies outlines new guidance surveyors will use to determine nursing home compliance beginning February 24,...
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What’s happening: All assisted living communities, ID/DD centers, and skilled nursing facilities are required by OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) to establish and maintain...
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What you need to know: The CDC has posted various resources and scheduled upcoming webinars to help you report your annual healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza...
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What’s happening: AHCA will be hosting multiple office hours on the CMS Mandatory Off-Cycle Provider Enrollment Revalidation process in the upcoming months. The first session...
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Important reminder: November 14 is the last day to submit updates or corrections to your skilled nursing facility (SNF) quality measures before the data is...
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Double check: Do you have the right version of the Resident’s Rights poster posted? VHCA-VCAL updated the poster in mid-2023 to reflect Requirements of Participation Phase...
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What’s new: A new CMS final rule includes significant changes to the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting requirements for nursing homes. Beginning on...
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New deadline: CMS extended the due date for all skilled nursing facility revalidations and for all “pending as of October 1” applications” until May 1,...
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[caption id="attachment_202329" align="alignright" width="393"] Use this QR code to access the SMART Questionnaire.[/caption] Send your latest 2567s and cover letter to Mary Chiles so they can be uploaded...
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Upcoming deadline: Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) staffing data for July 1 – September 30, 2024 is due by 11:59 pm EST on November 14. Skilled...
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What’s new: DMAS released a Medicaid Bulletin on October 3, 2024 outlining an enrollment change related to full benefit dual eligible Medicaid enrollees who participate...
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Did you know? Virginia Administrative Code specifies that nursing facilities must carry liability insurance of $1 million and professional liability coverage in an amount at...
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What’s happening: All skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and ID/DD centers are required by OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) to establish and...
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What’s new: The NHSN Long Term Care Facility (LTCF) Team shared important information regarding the recent modifications to the LTCF Component. Check out the details...
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Double check: Do you have the right version of the Resident’s Rights poster posted? VHCA-VCAL updated the poster in mid-2023 to reflect Requirements of Participation...
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What’s happening: The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports have been updated and are now available. These reports contain provider performance scores for quality...
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What’s new: AHCA has shared additional information from CMS about the mandatory off-cycle revalidation process for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The developments offer a delay for...
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What’s happening: AHCA/NCAL will host two upcoming webinars to help skilled nursing providers and their vendors understand the Mandatory Off-cycle Revalidation process. For context: CMS...
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ICYMI: NHSN’s simplified LTCF Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccination Module is live. The prior six forms for reporting have decreased to two forms with the new module. Make...
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What’s new: CMS issued QSO-24-21-NH on September 26, 2024 affirming the regulatory expectation that nursing home residents can exercise their right to vote without interference,...
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What’s happening: Four additional CMS skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing (SNF VBP) measures take effect October 1, 2024 which will determine Medicare Part A rates...
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What you need to know: Two changes are coming to NHSN reporting effective September 30, 2024 (for the September 30, 2024 – October 6, 2024...
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What’s happening: CMS announced that all skilled nursing facility (SNF) providers will receive off-cycle provider enrollment revalidation notices from their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) to...
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Upcoming events: The CDC has planned webinars to review changes to the Resident Data Collection Form and the definition of "up to date" for...
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What’s new: CMS has released a new document titled the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual (v1.19.1R Hyperlink Update Supplement. Replacement...
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What’s new: The VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) has updated the process for submitting notification of a change in administrator at a licensed...
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What’s happening: Providers that submit claims directly to the Veterans Administration (VA) under a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA) and experienced disruptions earlier this year due...
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What’s new: CMS recently updated the guidance to surveyors on completing the Infection Control Critical Pathway. Surveyors are required to answer a specific set of...
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What to know: Chapter 7 – Survey and Enforcement Process for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Nursing Facilities of the State Operations Manual (SOM) outlines how...
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Attention nursing facilities: VDH OLC has asked VHCA-VCAL to remind our members to enroll or reestablish your access to the ePOC system. Why it matters:...
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Get ready: Four additional CMS skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing (SNF VBP) measures take effect October 1, 2024 that will determine Medicare Part A rates...
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The submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) for MDS assessment data and data submitted to CMS via the CDC...
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What’s new: CMS issued an updated version of Appendix PP on August 9, 2024 to incorporate the revised facility assessment rule and guidance previously released...
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New appointment: Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed Cleopatra Kitt, PhD to the Virginia Board of Nursing. Kitt is RUI’s senior vice president of leadership development....
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CMS has released the final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.19.1. The new version will be effective beginning October 1,...
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New resource: AHCA has developed a member summary (log-in required) of the CMS final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS)...
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CMS has posted the 2025 ICD-10-CM files, which contain information on the ICD-10-CM updates for FY 2025. These 2025 ICD-10-CM codes are to be used for...
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CMS’s latest changes to the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.19.1 will be effective beginning October 1, 2024....
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Just the Facts: AHCA/NCAL is working to dispel myths about the federal staffing mandate and to elevate concerns from nursing homes, other health care sectors, and lawmakers on...
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What’s happening: CMS issued the final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2025 update on July 31....
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For better patient outcomes: Join the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN), Virginia Health Information (VHI), PointClickCare, and panelists representing a hospital, a nursing home and...
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Are you ready? The expanded regulatory requirements for nursing facility assessments included in the CMS minimum staffing standard final rule are effective August 8, 2024....
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Check your report: The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports have been updated and are now available. These reports contain provider performance scores for...
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What to know: Staffing data for Q2 2024, April 1 – June 30, 2024, is due by 11:59 pm EST on August 14. Skilled nursing...
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What’s happening: On July 31, HQIN is hosting a webinar on the Virginia Emergency Department Care Coordination (EDCC) Program, a transformative statewide initiative connecting hospitals...
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CMS has notified facilities that were determined to be out of compliance with Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) requirements for CY 2023,...
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Helpful FAQ resource: AHCA/NCAL has created a FAQ resource to complement its summaries of the two new rules advancing protections against discrimination in healthcare which...
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What’s happening: The CDC announced that timestamps in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) application (such as create dates) were updated to display Coordinated Universal Time...
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CMS released QSO-24-14-NH on July 1, 2024. It describes updates coming to Nursing Home Care Compare and Data.CMS.gov on July 31, 2024. The updates reflect previously announced changes...
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Facility assessments are mentioned, currently, more than 100 times in the CMS State Operations Manual (SOM), and F838 – Facility Assessment – specifically outlines facility assessment...
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What’s new: Melissa Green has been named the director of the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification’s (OLC) division of long term care (LTC) services....
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What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Civil Rights, and CMS have released two new rules advancing protections against...
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What’s happening: VHCA-VCAL has been informed that VDH has authorized Virginia Health Information (VHI) to adjust the Efficiency and Productivity Information Collection System (EPICS) filing...
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What’s new: AHCA has developed checklist to assist members in preparing to meet the new requirements of the nursing facility assessment. The checklist outlines all...
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CMS has announced that payments under the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program for the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) will conclude on July 12,...
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It’s time to download your June Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the FY 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program (SNF VBP) from iQIES. The report contains facility and...
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What’s new: CMS posted QSO-24-13 on June 18, 2024. The memo includes the revised guidance for state surveyors for the Long-term Care Facility Assessment regulation...
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What’s happening: VHCA-VCAL was informed today that the payment process for the Medicaid Value-Based Payment (VBP) Year 2 Round 2 payments has been delayed relative...
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New updates: The AHCA/NCAL Regulatory and Clinical Team continues to update the AHCA Regulatory Resources document to help members stay compliant with various regulatory requirements....
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In follow up to last week’s news that DMAS published the Medicaid Bulletin with implementation guidance for the changes to the LTSS screening process to remove all...
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What to know: AHCA/NCAL has highlighted which questions were updated when the CDC posted the May 20 changes to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on...
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What’s new: On June 3, DMAS published the Medicaid Bulletin with implementation guidance on the VHCA-VCAL legislation modifying the LTSS screening process to remove all...
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AHCA is hosting a member-only webinar with a panel of experts from the CDC (including Dr. Bola Ogundimu, Dr. Kara Jacobs Slifka; and Dr. Heather Jones)...
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What’s new: A May 20 update to the CDC webpage on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes addresses questions about...
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What’s happening: On May 24, AHCA, joined by the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) and several Texas long term care facilities, filed a lawsuit in the...
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What’s going on: To align with CMS security policies, iQIES will begin implementing an inactive user policy this month. How it will work: System audits...
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CMS has posted an updated Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) Quick Reference Guide. It provides high-level information on the SNF QRP, including frequently...
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What to know: The final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version (v)1.19.1 and Item Matrix are now available in the Downloads section on...
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What’s new: The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and CMS recently issued a final rule, Nondiscrimination on the...
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What’s new: CMS has released a short explainer video titled "Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Items: Using Sources Other Than the Resident to Code," for skilled...
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What’s new: The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that its direct Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) claims processing systems are back online following the Change...
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Do you have questions about Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP)? Save the dates for two upcoming AHCA/CDC webinars on May 22 and June 5. These webinars...
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New resource: AHCA has created a new guide outlining the assistance each CMS Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) offers about submitting data to the National Healthcare...
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CMS has scheduled the next Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum for May 16, 2024 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm. This call was...
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Happening Friday: The CDC National Health Safety Network (NHSN) Vaccination Team will hold an open office hour for reporting the annual Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Influenza...
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What’s new: As of May 1, 2024, hospitals are no longer required to report Hospital Respiratory Pathogen, Bed Capacity, and Supply Data (commonly referred to...
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New resource: AHCA has prepared an Action Brief to help nursing facilities navigate the new requirements for facility assessments included in the CMS minimum staffing...
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New resource: The AHCA Quality and Regulatory team created this consolidated list of currently available regulatory resources including various tip sheets, guides, webinars, online education...
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Take a look: The Early Look Performance Score Reports for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program are now...
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What to know: Staffing data for the first quarter, January 1 – March 31, of 2024 is due by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on...
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May 15 is the deadline for nursing facilities to report their annual Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Influenza Data for the 2023-2024 influenza season (October 1, 2023...
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[caption id="attachment_182436" align="alignright" width="353"] Clockwise from upper left: Leslie Ruffner, NF Administrator of the Year; Stefanie Stevens, Life Enrichment Director at Falls Run Nursing and...
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ICYMI: The VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) recently provided VHCA-VCAL with an updated list of LTC supervisors. Please make note of the updated...
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What you need to know: There is a new location for accessing the Patient Assessment Change Request Forms for the Minimum Data Set (MDS), effective immediately. For...
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The April 2024 refresh of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) data is now available on Care Compare and Provider Data Catalog...
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What’s new: CMS posted a detailed fact sheet on the minimum staffing final rule as well as a link to the full text, which will...
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[caption id="attachment_169849" align="alignright" width="393"] Use this QR code to access the SMART Questionnaire.[/caption] Send your latest 2567s and cover letter to Mary Chiles so they can be uploaded...
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Check out AHCA’s webinar on best practices for submitting data to the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ). It will help you prepare for a successful submission of...
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The CDC is hosting an open office hour on April 25 at 2:00 pm on how to report the annual Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Data...
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What’s happening: The VDH Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program is partnering with APIC and CBIC to offer a complimentary Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) preparatory course and exam....
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Celebrate NSNCW in style! Highlight your center's unique branding on customizable National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) products including t-shirts and banners. The special week...
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What’s happening: The VDH Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program is partnering with APIC and CBIC to offer a complimentary Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) preparatory course and exam....
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What’s happening: The General Assembly will meet on April 17 to act on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s budget amendment that would cut in half the Medicaid...
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On April 1, 2024, CMS updated the survey critical element pathways (CEPs) due to the enforcement of enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) outlined in QSO-24-08-NH. The...
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What’s new: On March 25, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), CMS, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response provided additional information...
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What’s happening: The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) will host a webinar on April 2, 2024, at 2:00 pm, covering important updates to the definition...
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What’s new: The CDC has a suite of tools and resources to assist nursing homes with implementing Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) as outlined in the recent CMS...
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AHCA/NCAL offers members the opportunity to become a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Certified Professional (QCP) through a partnership with American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing...
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Download your March Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the FY 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program from iQIES. Review data for upcoming measure and scoring...
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CMS has rescheduled the March 21, 2024 Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum to April 2. Use this link to register for the...
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What’s changing: NHSN is changing the definition of "up to date" for COVID-19 vaccine reporting in long term care (LTC) beginning Quarter 2 of 2024...
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What’s new: This week CMS issued QSO-24-08-NH regarding the implementation of enhanced barrier precautions (EBPs) in nursing homes to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistant...
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What’s happening: The VDH Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program is partnering with APIC and CBIC to offer a complimentary Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) preparatory course and exam....
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What’s new: CMS has taken steps to expand financial relief opportunities for providers impacted by the cybersecurity incident affecting UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s technology subsidiary Change Healthcare. Providers...
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What’s happening: DMAS is in the final phase of a full reprocurement of the merged Cardinal Care managed care program. The agency has announced a...
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All Medicaid providers, including managed care organization (MCO) network providers, are required to revalidate their provider enrollment in the DMAS provider services solutions (PRSS) at...
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What’s new: Mary Chiles has posted the newest SMART report recapping the survey and deficiency results the Chiles Healthcare Consulting team shared at the February 29...
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What’s happening: The VDH Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program is partnering with APIC and CBIC to offer a complimentary Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) preparatory course and exam....
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What’s happening: Positions on the Board of Long-Term Care Administrators for licensed administrators are open or will become open on July 1. VHCA-VCAL encourages members...
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Celebrate Radiant Memories: Resources for this year’s National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW), including the Planning Guide, marketing tools, and special products, are now available...
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What’s happening: Electronic cigarettes are being used more frequently by residents in skilled nursing facilities. Below are some reminders on regulations and safety concerns related...
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Nearly 1,000 organizations including VHCA-VCAL and many members signed on in support of a letter to leaders of the US House Ways and Means Committee...
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What’s happening: DMAS will hold separate meetings with specific managed care organizations (MCOs) to discuss lingering claims issues related to the initial roll-out of the...
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What’s new: On February 8, the CMS MLN Connects newsletter clarified for providers that “…hospice and skilled nursing facility medical directors and administrators are always...
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CMS posted a reminder in the February 8 MLN Connects newsletter that Medicare covers skilled nursing care and skilled therapy services under skilled nursing facility,...
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For your radar: The CDC posted a reminder for facilities to log in to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and ensure that each facility has an...
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What’s happening: The NHSN application will be offline beginning at 8:00 pm ET on Friday, February 23 through Sunday, February 25, 2024 for a large...
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What’s happening: The VDH Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program is partnering with APIC and CBIC to offer a complimentary Long-Term Care Certification in...
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The deadline to respond to the DMAS wage survey is tomorrow, February 16, 2024. Participation in the survey is mandatory for all free-standing nursing facilities participating...
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Reminder: Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports have been updated and are now available for review and correction by February 15. These reports contain...
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What’s new: As of January 1, 2024, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are subject to new regulations governing prior authorizations and utilization management strategies. AHCA/NCAL, in...
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Action needed: Responses for the annual DMAS nursing facility wage survey are due February 16, 2024. Participation is mandatory for all non-hospital based nursing facilities...
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What’s new: The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released issued guidance for long term care facilities (LTCFs)...
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Did you know: Facility assessments are mentioned more than 100 times in the CMS State Operations Manual and F838 – Facility Assessment – specifically outlines...
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Send your latest 2567s and cover letter to Mary Chiles so they can be uploaded to VHCA’s Survey Management Analysis Resource Tool (SMART). Share feedback on your survey using...
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What’s happening: DMAS is finalizing the annual wage survey that will be the primary driver of the inflation calculation for rates effective on July 1,...
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What’s happening: Beginning the week of January 1-7, 2024, the NHSN Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Healthcare Personnel (HCP) form will no longer collect information on primary...
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News from CMS: The following SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) quality measures will be removed from the iQIES Review and Correct Reports, Facility-Level Quality Measure...
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What’s new: On December 27, CMS issued a proposed rule, which establishes appeals processes for Medicare beneficiaries whose inpatient hospital stays were later reclassified to...
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Mark your calendar: AHCA has unveiled the theme for National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW), which will take place from May 12 – 18, 2024....
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Download your December Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program from iQIES, including the incentive payment multiplier CMS will apply...
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What’s new: The Veterans Administration (VA) posted updated Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) rates for participating skilled nursing facility (SNF) providers. VCA SNF payment rates for...
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AHCA’s Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Academy delivers concrete strategies for skilled nursing facilities to secure earned dollars, minimize unnecessary losses, and stay paid. RCM Academy teaches: RCM 101...
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What’s new: The December 2023 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program are now...
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At the federal level: A bipartisan group of US Senators introduced legislation to stop CMS from finalizing the minimum staffing proposal. VHCA-VCAL, AHCA/NCAL, and many...
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What’s new: CMS released Admin Memo: 24-05-NH to identify the FY2024 and FY2025 areas of focus and guidance on how CMS staff will conduct Federal...
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What’s new: On November 15, CMS issued a display copy of a final rule requiring nursing homes to disclose additional ownership and management information to...
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What’s happening: A few weeks ago, VHCA-VCAL became aware of some issues with readiness to process Optional State Assessment (OSA)-based claims for both software vendors...
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Beginning November 10, Ruthanne Risser (
[email protected]) will temporarily serve as the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification LTC Director. The agency has also shared an...
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What’s happening: The VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) has switched the annual nursing home license renewal process from a mail-based system to a...
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What’s new: The October 2023 release of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) data is now available on Care Compare and Provider Data Catalog (PDC)....
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What’s new: This month, CMS will issue a Comparative Billing Report (CBR) on Medicare Part B claims for nursing facility evaluation and management visits. Use...
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Make sure your voice is heard! We are in the final days of the formal comment period for the CMS Proposed Rule for Minimum Staffing....
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CMS issued a Correction Notice that applies to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) final rule published on August 7. Although the...
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What’s new: CMS recently updated several surveyor resources that can be found in the Survey Resources folder on the CMS Nursing Homes CMS Nursing Home Requirements of Participation...
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Two weeks left: The formal comment period on the CMS minimum staffing proposed rule ends November 6. Now is the time to share with CMS...
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Required reporting: Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) must report healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination summary data through the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). SNFs are...
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Get connected: If your facility does not have facility-wide internet access for residents, fill out and submit this CMS questionnaire by December 22, 2023. Send...
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VHCA-VCAL highlighted a series of significant concerns with the CMS proposed rule on staffing requirements for nursing facilities. In comments to the agency, VHCA-VCAL noted...
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What’s new: DMAS has posted the Year 3 (2025) methodology document for the Medicaid Nursing Facility Value Based Purchasing (VBP) Program. This document is relevant...
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What’s happening: AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar on October 20 at 3:30 pm to discuss how to address 3.48 hours per resident day (HPRD) in comments...
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What’s happening: As the new COVID-19 vaccine is being released, long term care facilities need to be aware of the regulatory requirement to educate and...
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With QSO-23-23-NHs, CMS announced changes to the use of Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment Program. Per the memo, CMS will continue to allow applications to...
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For your radar: The approval of the newest COVID-19 vaccines will trigger a change in the National Health and Safety Network’s (NHSN) surveillance definition of...
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What’s happening: CMS released QSO-23-21-NH announcing updates coming Nursing Home Care Compare Staffing and Quality Measures in April 2024. The updates accommodate previously announced MDS changes effective October 1,...
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Action needed: CMS needs to hear from you about why the proposed unfunded staffing mandate should not be implemented. If implemented, the CMS rule would...
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In follow-up to the DMAS bulletin Minimum Data Set (MDS) changes effective October 1, 2023, we are sharing a brief Q&A document to help you...
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Since CMS initiated a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) 5-Claim Probe and Education Review program in June, AHCA has received inquiries from members that the letters...
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What’s new: On August 24, 2023, CMS released the final MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11v5. The final MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 was...
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What’s new: CMS issued the proposed minimum staffing rule as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Nursing Home Reform initiative to ensure safe and quality care...
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What’s happening: New CMS skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing (SNF VBP) measures take effect October 1, 2023 that will determine Medicare Part A rates beginning...
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What’s new: CMS released the updated final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version (v)1.18.11. It is now available in the Downloads section on...
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What’s new: DMAS has posted a bulletin explaining its implementation of the legislation HB 1681 and SB 1457). The bulletin describes the steps a nursing...
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Take this short survey to provide DMAS feedback on the first year of the Medicaid Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program. DMAS will accept responses until August...
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What’s new: DMAS posted a new bulletin with information about using the Optional State Assessment (OSA) to generate a Virginia Medicaid RUG-IV billing code for...
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What’s happening: VHCA-VCAL is working to identify whether any members have outstanding VBP Year One payments remaining. If you have any expected amounts still unpaid,...
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Feedback wanted: DMAS is seeking feedback from Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program stakeholders, including nursing facility staff, on the first year of the program via a...
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Download your August Performance Score Reports for the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program from iQIES, including the incentive payment multiplier CMS will apply to...
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Last August CMS finalized changes to the requirements for the director of food and nutrition services and created an additional pathway for the director to...
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What’s new: The CDC has released new resources to assist nursing facility staff with understanding the benefits of and implementing Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBPs). This new...
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Over recent weeks, we have highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,...
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What’s new: The CMS final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2024 update includes a 4 percent...
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CMS announced that facilities determined to be out of compliance with the 2022 Quality Reporting Program (QRP) program requirements received a non-compliance notification in their...
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August 15 is the deadline for skilled nursing facilities to must report their 2023 Quarter 1 (December 26, 2022 - March 26, 2023) Weekly Healthcare...
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Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,...
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What’s happening: The CMS final rule related to COVID-19 testing and staff vaccination published earlier this summer will take effect on August 4, 2023. The...
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What’s happening: The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) published a final rule on Improving Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses effective on January 1, 2024....
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A July 26 Medicaid Bulletin explains that DMAS has issued a broadcast notice to local departments of social services that staff should immediately stop calculating...
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Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,...
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What’s new: VHCA-VCAL previously reported that the Medicaid rates DMAS posted for the state fiscal year 2024, which began on July 1, included an error...
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What’s happening: Members alerted VHCA-VCAL with concerns about the calculation of patient pay amounts as part of the Medicaid redetermination process underway after the end...
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What’s happening: As part of the White House initiative to increase transparency of corporate ownership and operation of nursing facilities, CMS released QSO-23-18-NH, announcing the addition...
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Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,...
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Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,...
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What’s new: AHCA has added new resources to ahcancalED and AHCA's Survey Preparedness page to assist members in areas that have either been identified as focus areas by...
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Do you bill correctly under the Patient Driven Payment Model? Medicare Administrative Contractors are reviewing five claims from every skilled nursing facility (SNF) based on their...
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For your radar: DMAS intends to publish fiscal year 2024 Medicaid rates no later than July 1, 2023. DMAS made the announcement at a June...
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Download your June quarterly feedback report for the FY 2024 Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing Program from iQIES. Review your facility and stay-level data...
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Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,...
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CMS updated the Infection Control Critical Element pathway related to the end of the Healthcare Provider Vaccine Mandate announced May 31, 2023. The pathway was...
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Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version...
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What’s happening: CMS issued QSO-23-16-Hospitals reminding state survey agencies of the requirement for hospitals to provide accurate and complete patient information to Post Acute Care...
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What’s new: VHCA-VCAL has updated the Resident’s Rights poster. Download the file from our website. Why it matters: Nursing facilities are required to information...
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For your radar: As the 2023 hurricane season officially starts on June 1, VHCA-VCAL and Jensen Hughes have prepared a new tool, the Hazard Vulnerability...
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What’s happening: CMS has reissued transmittal instructions for Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to perform a five-claim probe and educate medical review on every skilled nursing facility (SNF)...
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Mark your calendar: The US Attorney’s Office is hosting a June 6 informational meeting on steps nursing facilities and assisted living communities should take to...
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What’s new: On May 31, 2023, CMS announced a final rule making three key changes: Removing expired language addressing staff and resident COVID-19 testing requirements issued...
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What’s happening: DMAS has informed VHCA-VCAL that the payment process for the second round of the Medicaid Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program payments has begun. How...
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Keep in mind: CMS updated guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual, effective October 2022, regarding F758: Psychotropic Drugs and expanded examples on...
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Earlier this month, AHCA/NCAL released a member update regarding the release of QSO-23-14-ALL which addressed that the COVID-19 Health Care Provider Vaccine Mandate would “soon end.” There is a...
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Area of focus: Even as the COVID-19 public health emergency has ended and some regulations have been rolled back, facilities still need to educate visitors...
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Most cited: Long term care providers in Virginia are the providers most investigated and subject to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enforcement actions for violations...
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CMS is offering a virtual training program that provides instruction on the updated guidance for the SNF Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument...
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On Wednesday May 24, 2023, at 2:00 pm ET, CMS will host FY 2024 SNF PPS Proposed Rule Overview. The educational webinar will provide an...
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What’s new: CMS has released updates to several survey resource documents, including the Entrance Conference form and the Infection Prevention, Control, and Immunization Critical Element (CE) pathway....
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What’s happening: The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia sent a Dear Colleagues Letter to remind healthcare providers of effective communication requirements under the Americans...
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What’s happening: AHCA has learned that some facilities are having issues accessing the NHSN component on reporting annual healthcare provider (HCP) influenza vaccination data. This...
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What you need to know: After more than three years, the federal public health emergency (PHE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic ends today, May 11,...
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The CDC announced reductions to NHSN reporting pathways which are anticipated to take effect in June 2023. The reductions include elimination of the Therapeutics Pathway...
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The deadline to report the annual health care personnel influenza vaccination summary data through the NHSN Healthcare Personnel Safety Component is May 15, 2023. Visit the...
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When the public health emergency (PHE) ends on May 11, so will the nationwide waivers of the 3-Day Stay requirement and the Spell of Illness...
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What’s new: DMAS has posted performance data for three metrics (days without eight RN hours, pressure ulcers, and urinary tract infections) used in the Medicaid...
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News you can use: AHCA/NCAL offers members the opportunity to become a QAPI Certified Professional (QCP) through a partnership with the American Association of Post-Acute...
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Keep the following in mind as you prepare for the May 15 Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) deadline to submit staffing hours for January 1 –...
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Catch up: The F-tag focus series is back for the next few weeks to provide tips on F-tags that CMS has identified as focus areas per Admin...
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What’s happening: the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia sent a Dear Colleagues Letter to remind healthcare providers of effective communication requirements...
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Mark your calendar for the next CMS Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum scheduled for April 13, 2023 at 2:00 pm....
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What’s happening: CMS is moving to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) for Minimum Data Set (MDS) submissions and providers should ensure they...
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Catch up: The F-tag focus series is back for the next few weeks to provide tips on F-tags that CMS has identified as focus areas...
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CMS released QSO-23-10-NH updating the enhanced enforcement policy for infection control deficiencies implemented early in the pandemic. The new memo strengthens enforcement efforts for noncompliance...
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What’s new: CMS issued the proposed rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2024 update. AHCA has reviewed...
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What’s new: DMAS posted two memos with details about the Medicaid redetermination process. The first memo, Information on the Eligibility Renewal Process - REVISED, includes...
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Good news: Following VHCA-VCAL’s discussions with the agency, DMAS will restart the payment process for the Medicaid Value Based Purchasing (VBP) Program for three of...
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Only for individual facilities granted a waiver for the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) requirements, CMS announced these waivers are extended to...
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What’s happening: CMS is preparing to move to iQIES for MDS submissions and it is important to create an account and establish credentials in the...
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Beginning Friday, March 24 at 9:00 pm ET, there will be a planned upgrade to the Secure Access Management Service (SAMS) database. This may potentially impact nursing home...
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What’s happening: We have identified a substantial error in the DMAS/Mercer calculation of the total nurse staffing metric results/payments under the new Value-Based Purchasing (VBP)...
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March 31 is the annual renewal deadline for individuals licensed by the Virginia Board of Long Term Care Administrators. The Board issued revisions to the...
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March 31 is the annual renewal deadline for individuals licensed by the Virginia Board of Long Term Care Administrators. The Board issued revisions to the...
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What’s new: The March 2023 Interim Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program are...
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Stay up-to-date: Review the CMS FAQ Long Term Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities and/or Nursing Facilities): CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19. This document, dated February...
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What’s happening: DMAS informed VHCA-VCAL this week that the first round of payments in the new Medicaid Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program will be...
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What’s new: Mary Chiles has posted the newest SMART report recapping the survey and deficiency results the Chiles Healthcare Consulting team shared at the February...
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What’s new: NHSN released an updated version of the Excel Data Tracking Worksheet for facilities reporting COVID-19 vaccination data on health care personnel through the Healthcare Personnel...
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Tell CMS how an unfunded staffing mandate would impact access to care for seniors by February 28. CMS will issue a minimum staffing rule this...
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Respond today: Take this short survey to provide information about your facility’s emergency preparedness readiness. Your responses will inform next steps in VHCA-VCAL’s grant project to build...
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What’s new: AHCA’s 2023 National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) Planning Guide and products are now available at www.nsncw.org. NSNCW will begin on Mother's Day, May...
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What’s happening: CMS issued a proposed rule to increase ownership, managerial, and other information required to be disclosed by Medicare and Medicaid funded nursing homes....
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Virginia Medicaid will resume renewing enrollees’ eligibility beginning in March 2023. Get the information you need to help seniors enrolled in Medicaid renew their coverage...
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The deadline to respond to the DMAS wage survey is tomorrow, February 17. Participation in the survey is mandatory for all free-standing nursing facilities participating...
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Action for NFs and ALFs: Take this short survey to provide information about your facility’s emergency preparedness readiness. Responses will be accepted through February 23, 2022. Why...
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What’s happening: The General Assembly’s budget negotiators are determining final funding amounts for the Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program and proposed Medicaid rate reforms proposed by...
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Participants in the SNF Quality Reporting Program have until, February 15, 2023, to report 2022 Quarter 3 weekly health care personnel COVID-19 vaccination summary data....
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February 17 is the deadline to respond to the DMAS wage survey. Participation in the survey is mandatory for all free-standing nursing facilities participating in...
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What’s new: VHCA-VCAL was awarded grant funds to build an emergency preparedness infrastructure to support both Virginia’s nursing facilities (NFs) and assisted living facilities (ALFs)....
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Good news: The budgets issued earlier this week by the House of Delegates and Senate budget-writing committees fund VHCA-VCAL’s priorities related to: Medicaid inflation, the...
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What we’re watching: The first round of payments in the new Medicaid Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program are expected in the next month or...
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Coming up: On Sunday, February 5, the House and Senate budget-writing committees will release their proposals to amend the budget for the state fiscal years...
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Register now for the day-long program on February 22. You will have an opportunity to meet the new leaders at the VDH Office of Licensure...
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What’s new: CMS has updated the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports. These reports contain provider performance scores for quality measures, which will be published...
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What’s new: On January 18, CMS issued QSO-23-05-NH, which outlines updates to the Nursing Home Care Compare website and Five Star Quality Rating System. The updates...
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It is crucial to report current COVID-19 vaccination status to NHSN. The up-to-date definition applies when reporting data through the NSHN COVID-19 Vaccination Modules and...
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DMAS issued a new fact sheet for providers and stakeholders about Cardinal Care. Cardinal Care is the new brand for the unified managed care program...
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New resource: CMS has issued the Third Edition Quality Reporting Program (QRP) COVID-19 Public Reporting (PR) Tip Sheet – SNF QRP. CMS created the tip...
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DMAS has announced the lineup for its monthly LTSS Screening Connections Webinar Series designed to facilitate better communication around the state on LTSS Screening laws,...
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Check out the agenda and register for the Getting Back to Basics: Virginia Survey Trends for 2022 education program on February 22. Experts from Chiles...
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[caption id="attachment_169849" align="alignright" width="399"] Use this QR code to access the SMART Questionnaire. [/caption] Send your latest 2567s and cover letter to Mary Chiles so...
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Join CMS and the CDC on January 5, 2022 at 3:00 pm for a National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call. Long-term care providers, facility staff and...
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What’s new: Changes to the Board of Long Term Care Administrator’s regulations for nursing home and assisted living administrators take effect December 21, 2022. The changes...
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Minimum staffing legislation for nursing facilities has been introduced by Chairman of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee Bobby Orrock (R-Caroline). The legislation, HB 1446,...
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The CDC announced it is taking steps to make it easier for long term care facilities (LTCFs) to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to staff and...
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What’s happening: AHCA is encouraging skilled nursing facilities to join the Long Term Care Data Cooperative, a nationwide effort to collect resident health records to...
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Download your December quarterly feedback report for the FY 2024 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program from the CASPER reporting system. You have until December 31 to...
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What’s happening: Long-Term Care Mutual Aid Plan (LTC MAP) Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) signed by Virginia nursing facilities in 2018 expire on December 31, 2022....
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Nursing facilities can still apply for Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment Program funds to improve indoor air quality. A facility may request the use of...
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What’s happening: DMAS is combining its exisiting managed care programs, CCC Plus and Medallion, to create a single identity for all members receiving services through...
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Consider enrolling in AHCA LTC Data Cooperative. It’s a provider-led initiative that gathers EMR data from nursing homes that can be used for three purposes:...
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What’s new: CMS posted the text of the final rule changing the regulations affecting skilled nursing facility (SNF) provider enrollment beginning, revalidation, and change of...
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What’s new: Recent updates to the NHSN application impact the Person-Level COVID-19 Vaccination Forms and the Vaccination Coverage bar chart. Zoom in on the details:...
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What’s happening: Join the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) on November 17 at 2 pm to learn more about the StrongerMemory program and how to...
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Keep in mind: November 14 is the deadline to submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) staffing hours for July 1 – September 30, 2022 Submit data...
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Mark your calendar: The VDH Healthcare-Associated Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance Program is hosting a webinar on November 16, 2022 to review recent changes to recommendations...
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CMS revised its guidance for all provider-types for assessing and maintaining compliance with the COVID-19 staff vaccination regulatory requirements. QSO-23-02-ALL replaces and consolidates information from...
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What’s new: CMS released revisions to S&C: 17-15-LSC, the memo on the use of the Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES). The revisions negate the need...
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CMS reminds skilled nursing facilities to review their data by November 14. Contact CMS if you have questions. Why it matters: CMS will publish...
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What’s new: CMS released a revised Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program policy memo, QS0-23-01-NH, and updated the monthly SFF posting. These revisions are meant to...
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As of October 24, 2022, surveyors will be using the updated Phase 2 and Phase 3 CMS Requirements of Participation (ROP) guidance to identify skilled...
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As SNFs continue to struggle with sluggish occupancy and workforce challenges, ensuring that every dollar earned for care delivery is retained is imperative. A solid Revenue...
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Leading up to the October 24, 2022 effective date for the updated Phase 2 and Phase 3 CMS Requirements of Participation (ROP) guidance, we broke...
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What’s happening: The VDH Healthcare-Associated Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance Program is hosting a webinar on November 16, 2022 on the updates to the Enhanced Barrier...
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about F940, F941, F942,...
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Mark your calendar: On October 24, surveyors will begin using the updated Phase 2 and Phase 3 CMS Requirements of Participation (ROP) guidance to identify...
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What’s happening: Today, October 6, 2022, is the last day to request a Nurse Aide Training Waiver extension. We are aware that some members have...
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Coming up: November 14, 2022 is the deadline to submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) staffing data to for July 1 – September 30, 2022. Review...
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about F656-Comprehensive Care Plans and...
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What’s new: DMAS released the first version of the SFY 2024 Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program Methodology covering Year 2 of the program. While...
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This summer, the Veterans Administration (VA) local contracting offices began sending letters to providers that were contracted to furnish services to veterans under Federal Basic...
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Sign up for the next installment of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) training program hosted by DSS and VCU Gerontology. The next session on Basic...
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What’s happening: Numerous members informed VHCA-VCAL that they received a letter from the disAability Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) this week. The letter describes dLCV’s...
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about F686, F687, F689, F690,...
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What’s happening: VHCA-VCAL has been in discussion with Molina Complete Care of Virginia regarding concerns with certain audit practices involving a third-party vendor. Concerns focus...
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What’s happening: Inappropriate practices have been identified in facility admission agreements related to debt collection practices. These agreements may include terms that aim to hold...
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Based on lessons learned throughout the pandemic, HQIN is offering a no-cost virtual review of participating nursing homes’ emergency preparedness plans. Reviews will focus on...
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about F740, F741, F742,...
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CMS finalized changes to the requirements for the director of food and nutrition services as well as physical environment. The agency posted a revised advanced...
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What’s happening: Two upcoming webinars will provide you an overview of the FY 2023 SNF Prospective Payment System final rule. Sign up for VHCA-VCAL’s CMS...
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CMS issued a draft version of the MDS Nursing Home Comprehensive (NC) item set version 1.18.11. This NC item set is to be used for both SNF...
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about F847, F848, and...
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Thursday, September 8, 2022 is the last day of the Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Screening catch-up period. Remember, if a nursing facility admits...
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What’s happening: CMS is transitioning the system for MDS submissions to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) in early 2023. All current and...
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about F880, F881, F882,...
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Time is running out: The Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Screening catch-up period ends next week. If an individual is admitted to a nursing...
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Nine CMS F-Tags contain trauma-informed care mandates. AHCA’s Trauma-Informed Care training course provides the tools you need to implement trauma-informed care (TIC) with staff who...
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about F712, F725,...
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The LTSS catch-up period set by DMAS ends September 8. Use this time to make sure all NF residents have the Long Term Services and...
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What’s new: Kesia Gwaltney, PhD has joined the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) as the agency’s new long term care division director. The...
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As SNFs continue to struggle with sluggish occupancy and workforce challenges, ensuring that every dollar earned for care delivery is retained is imperative. A solid...
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about F622, F623,...
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Time is running out in the catch-up period DMAS established to make sure all NF residents have the Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Screenings...
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August 15 at 11:59 pm is the submission date for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Programs (QRP) MDS assessment data and data submitted to...
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In July, CMS updated the Five-Star Ratings on Care Compare to include staff turnover measures. Six Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) staffing measures now determine Five-Star Staffing ratings....
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about F895-Compliance and...
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Less than one month remains in the catch-up period to conduct LTSS Screenings for any individual residing in a nursing facility without one. Nursing facilities...
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CMS reversed its proposed 0.7 percent cut to Medicare rates and has instead provided a 2.7 percent increase. The new rates go into effect on October...
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about pharmacy services...
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Review your SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) data by August 15, and contact CMS if you have questions about your scores. CMS will publish the...
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We’re breaking down the Requirements of Participation Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance. Catch up on what you need to know about F919-Resident...
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Starting next week, we’re hosting an 8-part webinar series to walk you through the latest CMS guidance on the Requirements of Participation (RoP) and State...
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AHCA’s Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Academy delivers strategies every SNF business office manager and accountant should use to secure earned dollars. This training program teaches...
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CMS revised the Nursing Home Five Star Quality Rating System with the July 2022 Care Compare refresh. It now includes weekend staffing and staff turnover...
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The federal public health emergency (PHE) has been extended through October 15. DMAS issued a Medicaid Bulletin repeating the news along with links to provider...
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A recent $7.85 million settlement agreement between the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and a nursing facility company serves as a reminder about CMS guidance...
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Coinciding with a new report on antimicrobial resistance, the CDC has updated its guidance on enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) for all health care settings, including nursing homes. The...
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DMAS posted the state fiscal year (SFY) 2023 Medicaid rates on July 1 (scroll down to “Reimbursement Rates”). The rates reflect the 14.74 percent inflation adjustment....
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With the approval of the 2023-2024 state biennial budget, DMAS has completed the final update to the Value-Based Payment (VBP) program methodology for 2023. The...
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You have two more opportunities to join us for a Lunch & Learn on the Medicaid LTSS Screening process for nursing facilities. Join us on...
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CMS published a June 2022 update to the Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) Policy Manual. The updates cover running reports in CASPER, employee ID changes, and...
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CMS has issued QSO-22-19-NH, which includes new and updated surveyor guidance for Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Requirements of Participation. The memo addresses:...
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Sign up for one of the Lunch & Learn webinars VHCA-VCAL is hosting in July to review the LTSS Screening process for nursing facilities and...
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During the 2022 General Assembly session VHCA-VCAL’s advocacy work largely focused on Medicaid funding and workforce issues. VHCA-VCAL also tracked bills taking effect on July...
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DMAS has posted a Medicaid Bulletin notifying providers that since the state budget was only signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on June 22, the 2023...
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Remember to use the catch-up period between now and September 8, 2022 to conduct LTSS Screenings for any individual residing in a nursing facility without...
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July 1 marks the formal start of the new Medicaid Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program. The program is replacing the value of the $15 per day...
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CMS has released QSO-22-18-ALL to announce it is rescinding the QSO-22-10-ALL memo from January 25, 2022. The January memo noted surveyors performing federal oversight who were not fully vaccinated or who...
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CMS has released QSO-22-17-ALL, providing new information on how CMS will survey for compliance of the staff vaccination requirement. CMS survey oversight of the staff vaccination...
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Skilled Nursing News highlighted comments by the association and two members, Michael Smith with Marquis Health Consulting Services and Lori Martin with Francis Marion Manor...
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DMAS has asked VHCA-VCAL to assist in gathering some information on the use of complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) manual and power wheelchair bases and related...
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On June 10, 2022, DMAS posted two new Medicaid Bulletins related to the Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Screening process. The first bulletin...
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In three weeks the per resident per day Medicaid add-ons will be replaced by the new Medicaid Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program. The General...
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CMS is accepting comments on its proposed rule on Medicare payments and staffing minimums until June 10 at 3:00 pm. AHCA has submitted its comments which call...
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In the coming months, federal aid will dwindle as the government and states move toward a post-pandemic normal order of business. As SNFs continue to struggle...
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On May 26, 2022 CMS issued another revision to QSO-20-41-ALL. This update clarifies that providers are exempt from the 2021 and 2022 Full Scale Exercise (FSE) as...
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The General Assembly returned to Richmond on June 1 to vote on the final budget for the next two fiscal years (FY2023 and FY2024). The...
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In comments submitted to CMS, VHCA-VCAL urged CMS to consider a multi-year (no less than three years) phase-in of the Medicare parity adjustment. The association...
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View the April refresh of Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) data on the Care Compare webpage and in the Provider Data Catalog. You have until May...
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We need your help submitting comments to CMS on the proposed payment rule. As you know, CMS issued the FY 2023 SNF Proposed Payment Rule last...
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Skilled nursing facilities that participate in the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP) must have the weekly health care personnel COVID-19 vaccination summary data entered...
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Screening teams should plan to attend the next LTSS Screening Connections Webinar, Tuesday, May 10, 2022, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. This month’s webinar will...
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CMS needs to hear from providers by June 10 about its proposed rule on Medicare payments and staffing minimums. The agency specifically asked for comments...
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National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) begins May 8 and celebrates the essential role that skilled nursing care centers and staff play in “Creating and...
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Are you responsible for implementing your facility’s quality improvement programs? Do you want to reduce unnecessary acute care transfers and reduce preventable rehospitalizations? Do you want...
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CMS posted updates and revisions to the nursing facility survey tools, including the entrance checklist on April 7. The tools may be downloaded from the...
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Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) is conducting its annual Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Study and requests your participation. Nursing Home providers are asked to complete the...
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Fire and life safety expert Stan Szpytek wrote a recent column in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News offering advice on preventing fires in commercial laundry rooms...
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Celebrate your staff during National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) May 8-14 with a special gift they are sure to love. AHCA’s exclusive NSNCW buttons, pins,...
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Don’t wait to sign up for the training session for your region on the INTERACT Quality Improvement Program. VHCA-VCAL is partnering with Pathway Health to...
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CMS issued the proposed rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2023 update. AHCA/NCAL has developed a summary...
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CMS has issued QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC, which provides an update to COVID-19 emergency declaration blanket waivers for specific providers. According to the memo, CMS...
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Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 12, 2022, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm for the next LTSS Screening Connection Webinar. This month’s webinar will feature...
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Registration is open for virtual training sessions in May on the INTERACT Quality Improvement Program. This training is intended to help you lower your preventable...
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In the VDH Long-Term Care Facility Task Force Monthly Update for April, the agency reports that a variance to the Disease Reporting and Control Regulations...
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In case you missed it, with the April Care Compare refresh, CMS will increase long term care facility quality measure thresholds by 50 percent of...
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VHCA-VCAL has partnered with Pathway Health to reduce preventable rehospitalizations by providing certified nursing facilities free training on the INTERACT Quality Improvement Program in May. Reducing...
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In QSO-19-08-NH issued in March 2019, CMS outlined a plan to update the quality measure (QM) rating thresholds every six months. The initial threshold changes...
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It’s not too late to register for the NF VBP Program Webinar Series: What You Need to Know Now, which begins on March 30. This...
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Create a festive mood during National Skilled Nursing Care Week® (NSNCW) May 8-14 with colorful posters, banners, and balloons. Featuring this year’s heartwarming theme and...
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DMAS has posted Medicaid Bulletins on the agency’s transition from its Virginia Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) to the new Medicaid Enterprise System (MES) and...
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CMS has issued March 10 revisions to QSO-20-38-NH, the memo on long term care (LTC) facility COVID-19 testing requirements, and to QSO-20-39-NH on visitation. In both memos, CMS...
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While planning and response efforts over the last two years were focused on clinical issues, fire safety and life safety code compliance remain critical...
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[caption id="attachment_156132" align="alignright" width="390"] Sample Level of Community Transmission Map[/caption] CMS has issued March 10 revisions to QSO-20-38-NH, the memo on long term care (LTC)...
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Join President & CEO Mark Parkinson and the AHCA/NCAL team for a member webinar this Friday, March 4 at 1:00 pm to discuss the details...
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AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson wrote this message to members expressing the association’s response to the news that the Biden Administration was announcing nursing...
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CMS issued the following statement in advance of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address on March 1 during which he announced efforts to...
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Are you ready for the new Electronic Medicaid LTSS Screening (eMLS) System? Mark your calendars for an important LTSS Screening Connection Webinar on March 8,...
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Effective April 4, 2022, DMAS is transitioning the current Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) to a more robust Medicaid Enterprise System (MES). Please make note...
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AHCA has released a new report outlining the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s nursing homes. The report, produced by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA), highlights...
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DMAS recently issued an update to the Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Methodology. The update is dated February 11, 2022. The methodology outlines the program...
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February 25 is the deadline for nursing facilities to complete and submit their Fair Rental Value (FRV) form and supporting documentation. The information is used...
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AHCA is pleased to announce that National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) products and planning guide are now available at nsncw.org. NSNCW will take place...
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Join us for a two-part webinar series on March 15-16 led by Judy Wilhide Brandt on quality measures (QM) and the Five-Star Quality Rating System....
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The CMS staff vaccination rule requires facilities to take additional precautions for those staff who remain unvaccinated due to a medical/religious exemption or newly hired...
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VHCA-VCAL recently entered into a contract with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to administer the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds...
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DMAS training courses are now available for fee-for-service Medicaid providers to help you get ready for the launch of the Medicaid Enterprise System (MES) on...
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Contact your legislators today and ask them to implement Medicaid rate reforms to provide better cost coverage of the current costs of nursing-level care. We...
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CMS has posted a second edition of the COVID-19 Public Reporting Tip Sheet. This resource will help providers understand CMS’s public reporting approach to the Skilled Nursing Facility...
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February 18 is the deadline to respond to the DMAS wage survey. Participation in the survey is mandatory for all free-standing nursing facilities participating in...
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CMS has issued memo QSO-22-10-ALL to all State Survey Agency Directors, requiring onsite surveyors - including CLIA and Life Safety surveyors - to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19...
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The onset of a new year is an excellent time to review your emergency preparedness programs and specifically your emergency preparedness plans (EPP). A great...
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CMS made updates to the Long-Term Care Survey Process Procedure Guide effective January 27, 2022. These updates include: Mandatory facility task assignment and review of...
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February 18 is the deadline to respond to the DMAS wage survey. Participation in the survey is mandatory for all free-standing nursing facilities participating in...
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DMAS has published Fair Rental Value (FRV) Reporting Form for Calendar Year (CY) 2021, which will be used to establish FRV rates for State Fiscal...
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The Department of Health Professions – Board of Nursing asked VHCA-VCAL to share a message about nurse aide credentialing provide by Credentia. Credentia is offering...
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Trauma Informed Care (TIC) is an approach to care that requires specific staff competency and a system of care delivery that provides the necessary support...
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Three staff turnover and two weekend staffing measures have been added to Care Compare (formerly Nursing Home Compare). The new Staff Turnover Measures include: The percentage of RN staff that...
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Mary Chiles has posted the newest SMART report recapping the survey and deficiency results the Chiles Healthcare Consulting team shared at the January 18 education program. The...
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CMS has issued memo QSO-22-10-ALL to all State Survey Agencies, requiring onsite surveyors, including CLIA and Life Safety surveyors, to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or...
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The next CMS Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum scheduled is for January 27, 2022 at 2:00 pm. Topics to be covered include...
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DMAS issued a Medicaid Bulletin on January 13 on the temporary Virginia public health emergency due to COVID-19. The memo addresses the Medicaid flexibilities related...
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Per QSO 22-07-ALL and the LTC/Skilled Nursing Facility Attachment, which are applicable in Virginia, the implementation phase-in of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for nursing facilities...
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In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the CMS COVID-19 vaccine mandate for staff among Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers. The CMS interim...
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Responses for the annual DMAS nursing facility wage survey are due February 18, 2022. Participation in the Wage Survey is mandatory for all free-standing nursing...
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The first monthly LTSS Screening Connection Webinar of the year will be held January 11, 2022, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. This month’s webinar will...
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Gov. Ralph Northam has issued a state of emergency in advance of the second winter storm in Virginia this week. If your facility is without...
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On December 23, 2021, CMS issued a new set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the revised nursing home visitation guidelines, outlined in memo “QSO-20-39-NH...
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DMAS has published the methodology for the nursing facility value-based purchasing program, which is designed to improve the quality of care furnished to Medicaid members....
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The agenda for the January 18 education program, Examining and Learning from 2021 Surveys is now available. In addition to the analysis of the 2021...
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Data collection for a skilled nursing facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) measure for COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel (HCP) started on October 1,...
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The VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) has shared that Ruthanne Risser, deputy director for OLC, is serving as the acting director for the...
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DMAS will hold its monthly LTSS Screening Connection Webinar Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 3:30 pm. This webinar will focus what screening teams need to...
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In an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on the Joint Commission on Health Care’s endorsement of a staffing ratio, VHCA-VCAL President and CEO explained the...
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In its final meeting of 2021, the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) endorsed numerous policy options to address nursing home workforce issues. One policy...
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Join AHCA/NCAL on Monday, December 13 at 4:00 pm for an office hour to discuss recent updates on the CMS interim final rule (IFR) on...
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A December 3 memo from State Health Commissioner Dr. Norm Oliver to clinicians includes an update on: the Omicron variant; a CDC advisory about increasing...
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CMS released QSO-22-04-ALL dated December 2, 2021 advising state survey agencies they should not enforce the interim final rule (IFR) regarding the vaccine mandate or...
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CMS recently posted an MLN Matters article that provides a summary of key policy changes and payment updates in the calendar year (CY) 2022 Medicare Physician Fee...
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CMS is issuing an 1135 waiver for directors of food and nutrition services, granting an extension on certain requirements that previously would have hit a...
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The 2021 General Assembly directed DMAS to develop a Medicaid Nursing Facility Value-Based Payment (VBP) program to replace the current $15 per day add-on when...
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The United States District Court in the Western District of Louisiana has issued a nationwide injunction preventing the federal government from implementing the CMS vaccine mandate for...
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CMS released new resources for skilled nursing providers. Seven job aids were provided to aid in proper coding of seven MDS section GG self-care items, and three pocket guides were...
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The CMS interim final rule (IFR) requiring skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, and ICF-IIDs to establish a policy ensuring that all eligible staff be vaccinated...
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CMS has released changes to the guidance for COVID-19 survey activities and increased oversight in nursing homes in QSO-22-2-ALL. CMS is announcing steps to assist State Survey...
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CMS has updated its guidance for nursing home visitation in a November 12, 2021 revision to QSO-20-39-NH. Visitation is now allowed for all residents at all...
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On November 4, CMS published an interim final rule (IFR) that revises the requirements that most Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers must meet to participate in...
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DMAS posted the updated Screening Manual for Medicaid-Funded Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) on October 29 to the Provider Manuals Portal. The updated manual reflects...
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CMS is offering an updated web-based training series on the assessment and coding of Section GG. This training is intended for providers in post-acute care...
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CMS announced it is granting a two-year extension to a specific group of existing Time Limited Waivers (TLW). This benefits providers who have historically utilized...
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Deborah Petrine, chairman and CEO of CCR, offered public comments on behalf of VHCA-VCAL at an October 28 Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) nursing...
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DMAS has issued a notice to nursing facilities asking them to make entries in the Level of Care Medicaid Portal for admissions, discharges and level...
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AHCA/NCAL updated the guidance document titled 3-Day Stay and Benefit Period Waivers for Medicare Part A SNF PPS. The two specific updates include: Updating the extension of the...
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The recurring calls with CCC Plus managed care organizations (MCOs) to identify and troubleshoot claims processing issues will cease after this week. At this juncture,...
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DMAS has provided an updated list of DMAS-80 contacts and fax numbers. (Note this list is separate from the CCC Plus claims processing escalation contacts.)...
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An article in Virginia Mercury includes perspectives from VHCA-VCAL and legislators on the Joint Commission on Health Care’s report on nursing home staffing issues. The...
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On October 5 the Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) staff presented a series of policy recommendations to General Assembly members on how to...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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Are you using VHCA’s Survey Management Analysis & Resource Tool (SMART) to stay on top of survey results and trends? If you’re not sure how to get...
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DMAS will host a Nursing Facility Value Based Purchasing (VBP) Listening Session on September 22, 2021 from 3:30 – 5:00 pm. According to the agenda, DMAS...
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Providers are encouraged to review the AHCA 3-Day Stay and Benefit-Period Waivers for Medicare Part A SNF PPS guidance and FAQs that were updated September 14,...
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CMS updated its MLN Matters article SE20011 titled Medicare FFS Response to the PHE on COVID-19. In the billing guidance CMS did not change the longstanding blanket 3-day qualifying stay...
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CMS updated its previous requirements around testing in a revised version of QSO-20-38-NH dated September 10, 2021. The memo updates the testing summary, including if a facility...
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AHCA/NCAL’s Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) is a tool designed to assist centers in evaluating vulnerability to specific hazards. Built on a foundation of established risk...
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DMAS will host a Nursing Facility Value Based Purchasing (VBP) Listening Session on September 22, 2021 from 3:30 – 5:00 pm. According to the agenda,...
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The use of agency or contract staff has exponentially increased as the COVID-19 pandemic persists. Don’t forget that during your licensure survey, personnel records will...
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In its August 12, 2021 edition of MLN Connects, CMS announced a resumption of the Targeted Probe & Educate (TPE) Program conducted by Medicare Administrative...
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Are you using the newest version of the CMS Entrance Conference Worksheet to prepare for your surveys? CMS updated the checklist with a version dated...
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CMS issued the final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2022 update. AHCA has provided a summary...
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CMS issued QSO-21-20-NH formally noting that the agency removed a 2017 memo from its guidance repository that instructed CMS locations (formerly “Regional Offices”) to impose...
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The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has announced new changes coming this fall to reporting for long term care facilities. Changes will be made to...
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CMS has recently rescinded its July 2017 guidance that civil monetary penalties (CMPs) should be imposed for prior non-compliance on a per-instance basis only. CMS posted the rescission on...
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Over the past year while operations and resources shifted to battle COVID-19, unintended consequences emerged—one being greater incidence of pressure injuries. Now that the pandemic...
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The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman has a new dedicated fax number for all nursing facility notifications and communications, including copies of all...
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Waivers related to admission screenings are affected by the June 30, 2021 expiration of Virginia’s public health emergency (PHE). The end of Virginia’s PHE means...
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This week CMS issued a proposed rule on payment policies for the calendar year (CY) 2022 under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Quality Payment...
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The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is now open for providers to report fund use for April 10, 2020 through June 30, 2020. Providers...
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CMS has released minor updates to is Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment FAQs (dated June 24, 2021). The FAQs offer links to Code of Federal...
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New laws and updated Medicaid rates take effect on July 1, the start of Virginia’s state fiscal year (SFY). The budget passed by the General...
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On June 21, CMS issued a revision to QSO-20-41-ALL, which provides guidance on emergency preparedness. If a facility is still operating under its activated emergency...
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As we previously reported, DMAS posted the Medicaid rates for the state fiscal year (SFY) that begins July 1, 2021. The agency has now posted...
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A Medicaid Memo dated June 11 outlines how DMAS will implement dental coverage for adults who are receiving full Medicaid benefits. The coverage includes comprehensive...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released updated reporting requirements on June 11, 2021 for recipients of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments....
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On June 10 CMS publicly posted COVID-19 staff and resident vaccination data for individual nursing facilities on its COVID-19 Nursing Home Data website. CMS will...
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Gov. Ralph Northam has signaled he will allow the state’s public health emergency (PHE) expire at midnight on June 30, 2021. VHCA-VCAL is evaluating how...
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There are currently three seats on the Board of Long Term Care Administrators open for appointment for new terms beginning July 1, 2021—including an opening...
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There are currently three seats on the Board of Long Term Care Administrators open for appointment for new terms beginning July 1, 2021—including seats for...
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DMAS has posted the Medicaid rates for the state fiscal year that begins July 1, 2021. Inflation from the 2021 rates to the 2022 rates...
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Are you using VHCA’s Survey Management Analysis & Resource Tool (SMART) to stay on top of survey results and trends? If you’re not sure how...
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Beginning Monday, June 14, 2021, CMS will enforce compliance with the new vaccine education and reporting requirements and issue civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for facilities...
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In September 2020, CMS clarified that providers could use actual emergencies resulting in the activation of their emergency plan to offset the need for an annual full-scale,...
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Beginning June 14, 2021, CMS will enforce compliance with the new vaccine education and reporting requirements and issue civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for facilities that...
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CMS has issued an updated list of the HCPCs codes subject to the consolidated billing provision of the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System. Be...
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On May 21, DMAS issued a notice to long term care providers about CARES Act funding and its review of eligible invoices. The message from...
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Beginning June 14, 2021, CMS will enforce compliance with the new vaccine education and reporting requirements and issue civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for facilities that...
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On May 7, 2021 CMS posted a web-based training series that provides an overview of the general and key clinical considerations important for conducting standardized...
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To support providers in reporting data for vaccination status for residents and staff, the CDC is replaying their NHSN COVID-19 Vaccination Module Training with online Q&A in...
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The new CMS interim final rule on COVID-19 vaccine requirements takes effect May 21. This rule applies to residents, clients, and staff of long term...
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Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) must report fourth quarter 2020 quality reporting program data to CMS by May 17. CMS recommends that you run analysis reports...
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CMS has published an interim final rule on COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and a related memo, QSO-21-19-NH on how to operationalize these new requirements. This rule...
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We’re wishing all our members a Happy National Skilled Nursing Care Week! It is wonderful to see all the ways you are celebrating “Together through...
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CMS issued guidance for nursing facilities regarding resident disenrollment from Medicare Advantage plans in 2015 and will soon be re-releasing this guidance. In anticipation of CMS’s...
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National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) begins on Mother’s Day, May 9, and runs through Saturday, May 15. The theme for this year’s annual observance, “Together Through...
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Now that the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) has resumed annual health inspections, life safety inspections will be conducted within a 14-day window...
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Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the 2021 National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) theme, “Together Through the Seasons,” celebrates that skilled care centers and...
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President Biden signed legislation that extends Medicare sequestration relief through the end of the year. CMS is expected to resume issuing claims shortly. Medicare Administrative Contractors...
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DMAS received updates on the CCC Plus managed care organization (MCO) directories contact lists by region. Please share this updated information with the appropriate staff...
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AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar on April 21 at 2:30 pm to review the fiscal year (FY) 2022 skilled nursing facility (SNF) proposed payment rule...
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For several months now, DMAS, representatives of the CCC Plus managed care organizations (MCOs), VHCA-VCAL staff, and other industry stakeholders have been discussing the best...
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As part of QSO-21-17-NH, CMS has recognized that time worked by the nurse aides during the Public Health Emergency (PHE) may count towards meeting the...
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In QSO-21-17-NH CMS announced it is ending four of the 1135 waivers issued in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). These changes are...
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DMAS is hosting its monthly LTSS Screening Connector call on April 13 at 3:30 pm. The calls are intended to facilitate better communication around the...
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CMS recently posted a Quality, Safety, and Oversight Group (QSO) memo updating the State Operations Manual (SOM) Appendix Z that outlines emergency preparedness (EP) requirements. The SOM...
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In honor of the collective strength and dedication of caregivers and residents in nursing centers across the country, this year’s National Skilled Nursing Care Week®...
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Have you had a survey recently? Share feedback on how it went using our new SMART Questionnaire. Your input helps us understand the survey environment...
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CMS updated its guidance on communal dining in QSO-20-39-NH on visitation in nursing homes. CMS continues to recommend that facilities can engage in communal activities...
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In anticipation of possible Congressional action to continue the deferral the two percent across-the-board cut to all Medicare payments (commonly referred to as the sequester),...
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CMS is urging nursing homes to participate in a free training to help nursing homes keep their residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. These free...
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AHCA has released a set of proposals in the Care for Our Seniors Act, which is intended to address long-standing challenges affecting quality of care...
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Skilled nursing facilities should have received a message from CMS last week encouraging weekly reporting of vaccination uptake rates to the National Healthcare Safety Network...
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Medicaid providers are being asked to complete a DMAS survey to help the agency estimate the full fiscal impact of the scheduled minimum wage increases....
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DMAS has published a Medicaid Memo on COVID-19 flexibilities in effect through April 20, 2021. It includes information the specific flexibilities for nursing facilities that...
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Using SMART, we have analyzed the top 10 survey deficiencies cited over the past year in both standard surveys and the COVID Focus surveys. Of...
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[caption id="attachment_135843" align="alignright" width="349"] Use this QR code to access the SMART Questionnaire[/caption] As the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) has resumed normal...
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Members are encouraged to tap AHCA’s groundbreaking SNF-centered report using hospital, SNF and other post-acute care claims to track patient flow and availability in the...
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DMAS is hosting its monthly LTSS Screening Connector call on March 9 at 3:30 pm. The calls are intended to facilitate better communication around the...
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In 2020 Virginia passed legislation implementing a phased increase to Virginia’s minimum wage. When the legislation was being discussed, DMAS, while acknowledging the impact across...
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The 2021 National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) Planning Guide and Product Catalog is now available online. This year’s theme, "Together Through the Seasons," will honor the collaborative commitment...
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AHCA/NCAL has a new four-module webinar series on ahcancalED to train staff about the delivery of person-centered care under the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM)....
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The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers the agency is collecting calendar year 2020 Form 300A data due by...
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February 26 is the deadline for nursing facilities to complete and submit their Fair Rental Value (FRV) form and supporting documentation. The information is used...
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AHCA/NCAL recently updated the COVID-19-related 3-Day Stay and Benefit-Period Waivers for Medicare Part A SNF PPS fact sheet and FAQ. Key updates to the file...
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As Medicare Advance and Accelerated Payments (AAP) repayment begin soon, facilities should make note of the applicable terms. Information on establishing an extended repayment schedules...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) repayments will begin for all Medicare providers, including skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which received AAP payments one year from...
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DMAS is accepting letters of intent for organizations interested in applying for the current cycle of Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment Program funds. Applicants must...
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February 21 is the deadline to respond to the DMAS wage survey. Participation in the survey is mandatory for all free-standing nursing facilities participating in...
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Key leaders of the Virginia’s budget-writing committees have begun negotiations on the state budget, including Medicaid funding for nursing facilities. We need your help in...
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[caption id="attachment_134396" align="alignright" width="600"] Henry from Alive Inside, Photo credit: Michael Rossato-Bennett[/caption] VHCA-VCAL members are invited to attend a special webinar hosted by the George...
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DMAS has published the calendar year (CY) 2020 Fair Rental Value (FRV) reporting form and instructions. Nursing facilities must complete and submit the form and...
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Responses for the annual DMAS nursing facility wage survey are due February 21, 2021. Participation in the Wage Survey is mandatory for all free-standing nursing...
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Nursing facilities have until Monday, February 15 to submit this spreadsheet to DMAS to reconcile the $20 per day nursing facility supplemental payments for utilization between...
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State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver has issued a new COVID-19 update for Virginia long term care facilities (LTCFs). This clinician letter updates the September...
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CDC’s Long Term Care (LTC) Pharmacy Partnership Program provides three COVID-19 vaccination clinics for LTC facilities enrolled in the program. As many LTC facilities are...
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This week the General Assembly started a special session to finish its legislative work. On Wednesday, the House and Senate money committees released their budgets....
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DMAS is accepting letters of intent for organizations interested in applying for the current cycle of Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment Program funds. Letters are...
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DMAS is hosting its monthly LTSS Screening Connector call on February 9 at 3:30 pm. The calls are intended to facilitate better communication around the...
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February 15 is the deadline for nursing facilities to submit this spreadsheet to DMAS to reconcile the $20 per day nursing facility supplemental payments for utilization...
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VCU is recruiting additional nursing facilities to participate in its no-cost training and mentorship program for the ECHO National Nursing Home COVID Action Network. The...
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A workgroup DMAS representatives, managed care organizations (MCO), and the nursing care sector have worked together to find a way to reconcile the special $20...
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On January 13, CMS announced the release of two new free Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) web-based training courses on Section M:...
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CMS has provided updated clarifications to SNF Medicare Part A billing guidance when applying COVID-19 coverage waivers in MLN Matters SE20011. Since then, some providers...
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The Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee voted unanimously to report and rerefer HB 2156, the nursing facility staffing ratio bill to the House Appropriations Committee...
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Sen. Jennifer Kiggans (R-Virginia Beach) has introduced a bill, SB 1149, to mandate staffing ratios in nursing homes, along with additional training requirements, and background...
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DMAS is set to distribute the annual Wage Survey. Responding to this survey is mandatory for nursing facilities and is vital for the calculation of...
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Kourtney Hales-Richards has joined the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) as the agency’s new Long Term Care Division Director. Hales-Richards, a former surveyor,...
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VHCA-VCAL has been working with our partners at Chiles Healthcare Consulting, LLC (CHC) to upgrade and modernize the Survey Management and Analysis Resource Tool (SMART)....
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On January 7, the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) announced it will use contract surveyors to assist with catching up on standard survey...
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In QSO-20-31-All (Revised 01/04/2021), CMS has released updated guidance on the frequency of focused infection control (FIC) surveys as well as providing FAQs regarding health,...
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Please provide updated census information through December 2020 to Steve Ford by January 8, 2021. This information will be used to support VHCA-VCAL’s advocacy efforts to obtain...
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As a reminder, CMS is requiring the reporting of point-of-care (POC) antigen test results (see p. 2 of this HHS memo). CMS is not requiring...
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DMAS has shared the presentation slides from the December 15 LTSS Screening webinar. The slides review the process skilled nursing facilities can use to establish...
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On December 4, CMS issued a memo, QSO-21-06-NH on its intentions to update the survey and quality domains of Five-Star with the January 27, 2021 refresh of...
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Beginning January 1, 2021, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) will be responsible for conducting LTSS Screenings for non-Medicaid members admitted to SNFs who have a change in...
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On December 9, CMS posted updates to FAQs and an infographic about coverage and payment for monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19. The FDA has issued...
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CMS has released FAQs related to new guidance on testing in nursing facilities. The FAQs address long-standing questions posed from providers. The questions address various issues including...
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In September, CMS released Care Compare on Medicare.gov, which streamlines the eight original health care compare tools, including Nursing Home Compare. As of December 1, the original...
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On October 28 Nursing Home Compare and Five-Star ratings were updated. Survey ratings did not change as traditional nursing home surveys have not yet resumed...
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On November 18, AHCA/NCAL updated the 3-Day Stay and Benefit-Period Waivers for Medicare Part A SNF PPS Fact Sheet, as well as the accompanying webinar....
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There is still time to register for the five-part Financial Conference that kicks off on Monday, December 7. Sessions will address post-acute financing and Medicaid,...
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AHCA/NCAL has prepared a document which clarifies the CMS/CDC description of the data quality assurance (QA) process (found in the ‘detailed explanation’ on Data.CMS.gov) for...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the dollar amounts for skilled nursing facilities that received Quality Incentive Payments in September. These include both infection and...
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[caption id="attachment_131215" align="alignright" width="446"] Latin descent family and friends hold hands and pray during Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Close-up of hands in foreground.[/caption] On November...
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Kim Beazley has been selected the new Director of the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC), Virginia’s state survey agency for Medicare and Medicaid....
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The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) verbally announced there will be updates issued to two reporting pathways. The Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Pathway and the Staff...
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CMS Administrator Seema Verma made two key announcements on November 12 about surveyor calls to nursing homes with COVID-19 cases and staffing and PPE shortages,...
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AHCA/NCAL previously shared details of the Quality Incentive Payment (QIP) program run by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for skilled nursing facilities (SNF)....
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The deadline for the Virginia Premier 2019 Claims Clean-Up project to reconcile any outstanding CCC Plus claims issues for calendar year (CY) 2019 is November...
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DMAS has announced that Jonathan Mattingly, whose experience includes work at other state Medicaid agencies and as a rate-setting consultant, has been hired to replace...
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DMAS has asked VHCA-VCAL to distribute the Fax Numbers & Escalation Contacts for the DMAS-80 Form (Updated October 2020) with updated contact information for the...
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Make plans to attend the 2020 Financial Conference December 7, 8, and 10. The conference includes five interactive sessions over three days to help Virginia’s...
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In an updated memo from HHS, the point-of-care testing results are now required as part of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system. The US Health and...
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CDC is hosting webinars this week on reporting point-of-care (POC) testing. The NHSN team will introduce and provide training for a new NHSN Long Term...
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The George Mason University (GMU) National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network will hold an information session Friday, November 13 at 9:30 am for nursing facilities that...
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For several weeks, DMAS has been engaged with three CCC Plus managed care organizations (MCOs), VHCA-VCAL, and LeadingAge Virginia to discuss how best to reconcile...
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The deadline to submit your Intent to Apply (ITA) for a 2021 National Quality Award is November 12 by 8:00 pm. While not mandatory, applicants who submit an...
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CMS launched a new online platform, the Nursing Home Resource Center, to serve as a centralized hub bringing together the latest information, guidance, and data...
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Nursing facilities have until November 13 to apply for civil monetary penalty (CMP) funds to help facilitate in-person visitation between residents and their loved ones....
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George Mason University (GMU) is joining the ECHO National Nursing Home COVID Action Network as an official training center for nursing homes. Participation is free...
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Six new quality measures (QMs) in the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program are included in publicly reported data on Nursing Home Compare as of...
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This week, CMS has added a new requirement that all point-of-care (POC) antigen test results conducted in a facility must be reported to NHSN. The...
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VDH posted a new document, VDH COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Homes, on the Virginia Long-Term Care Task Force webpage on October 22. The document lists...
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DMAS issued a Medicaid Bulletin on October 20 announcing the release of the updated on-line modular Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Screening Training...
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On October 19, 2020, the US Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued Directive 2021-01 titled Extending the Scheduling Moratorium for Veterans...
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VCU has been approved as a training hub for the ECHO National Nursing Home COVID Action Network and is looking to recruit three cohorts of...
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VCU has been approved as a training hub for the ECHO National Nursing Home COVID Action Network and is looking to recruit three cohorts of...
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Providers have until October 29* to enroll or opt out of CDC’s Pharmacy Partnership for Long Term Care today. Pharmacy partners will provide on-site COVID-19...
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It’s time to prepare for the safe and rapid dissemination of a COVID-19 vaccine to long-term care residents, once available. It is important for facilities...
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In new Medicaid Memo, DMAS issued formal notification about changes to the item set fields required to be completed for the minimum data set (MDS)...
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On October 14, the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia budget conferees released their compromise amendments to the current biennial budget. The compromise addresses...
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VHCA-VCAL has been in touch with entities in Virginia interested in serving as training centers for the ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network. We...
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CMS issued QSO-20-41-ALL on September 28 to provide guidance on the specific testing exercises required under the emergency preparedness regulations in light of the coronavirus...
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VHCA-VCAL received an update from Kim Beazley, deputy director of the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC), on nursing home surveyor testing for COVID-19....
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DMAS and the managed care organizations (MCOs), with VHCA-VCAL input, are working through the reconciliation process for the $20 per day Medicaid rate add-on invoicing...
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Riverside Health System and Empira are offering additional sessions of their free workshops on creating a culture of restorative sleep via Zoom. Upcoming session in...
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CMS issued QSO-21-02-NH: Compliance with Residents’ Rights Requirement related to Nursing Home Residents’ Right to Vote affirming the continued right of residents to exercise their...
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The Board of Long-Term Care Administrators recently issued an update on continuing education for licensees. Due to ongoing concerns with the COVID-19 emergency and access...
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Virginia’s MDS/OASIS Coordinator has issued an instructional memo on the new requirement for nursing facilities to complete and submit specific MDS item set field associated...
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VHCA-VCAL provided information from Virginia Premier in March on a project to “settle” all claims issues from calendar year 2019. Virginia Premier is now moving...
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The ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network will host a Nursing Home Introductory Webinar series in October. The network is open to all nursing homes at...
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CMS has granted states the ability to use Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment funds to help facilitate in-person visitation between residents and their loved ones....
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CMS has issued an updated version of the SNF QRP COVID-19 Public Reporting Tip Sheet today, October 1. The tip sheet is intended to help...
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The House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia budget committees released their respective amendments to the current biennial budget, which included continued funding for the...
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On September 22 CMS again updated the Excel file that flags COVID-19 positive test rates in counties on the COVID-19 Nursing Home Data webpage in...
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HHS released additional information on how $2 billion in incentive payments will be distributed to nursing homes under the CARES Act. AHCA has prepared a summary of...
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Beginning October 1, 2020, DMAS will require providers to complete and submit specific MDS item set fields associated with the Patient Drive Payment Model (PDPM)...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) wants to reward buildings that are successful in keeping COVID-19 out of nursing homes or at...
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VDH has been notified by the CDC that a COVID-19 vaccine could be distributed to states in the fall of 2020. Working with the VDH...
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CMS requires nursing homes to test staff on a serial basis. VDH has created a REDCap form to notify the local health departments that your...
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DMAS has notified VHCA-VCAL that beginning October 1, the agency will require the completion and submission of specific item set fields associated with all OBRA...
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Last week AHCA released the second semi-annual edition of Your Resident Profile for 2020 for skilled nursing members. You can use the information to update...
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In a recent op-ed published by Virginia Mercury, Renee Allen, a nurse and the current administrator at Lucy Corr in Chesterfield County, shares why it...
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In a recent Roanoke Times op-ed, Keith Hare, highlights the ongoing needs of Virginia’s nursing homes and also notes that for years Virginia’s nursing homes...
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On September 3, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its $2 billion quality incentive program for nursing homes as part of...
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COVID-19 has been around for months and there still is not a one-size fits all approach that addresses how to navigate the process of residents...
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CMS has posted a COVID-19 Public Reporting Tip Sheet to help providers understand the CMS public reporting strategy for the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP)...
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On September 8, CMS posted a new excel file dated 9-8-20 that flags positive test rates in counties. Each county highlighted in green, yellow and...
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A letter from Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. M. Norman Oliver issued on September 9 reiterates numerous actions long term care facilities (LTCFs) should be...
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VHCA-VCAL has received feedback from VDH regarding antigen testing. Since CDC has now published their antigen testing guidance for nursing homes, VDH is now deferring...
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Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax) introduced a budget amendment for the $20 per day Medicaid add-on for nursing facilities...
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Entering the third week of Virginia’s special legislative session, we are grateful for the support of our advocacy efforts about the ongoing needs of Virginia’s...
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The CDC has updated the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Resident Impact and Facility Capacity pathway to include four new questions relating to the use of...
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VDH will be launching a new reporting portal sometime next week which will allow nursing facilities to enter both positive and negative test results for...
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The CMS interim final rule with requirements for routine COVID-19 testing in nursing homes was officially published on September 2, 2020 and is in effect...
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Please join AHCA/NCAL for an all member webinar with President and CEO Mark Parkinson and Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Gifford tomorrow, Friday, August 28...
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VHCA-VCAL has heard from several members that the most recent CARES Act distribution is being deposited in bank accounts with “CARES Act NH Pmt*HHS.GOV” in...
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The Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax) introduced three amendments for nursing facilities as the General Assembly deliberates on the state...
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The latest update to the list of nursing facilities being sent a point-of-care (POC) antigen testing device and test kit by CMS includes over 230...
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VDH, in alignment with CDC Guidance for Responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes, has created a simplified flow chart to inform discharge planning between...
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CMS has announced the launch of its national nursing home training program for frontline nursing home staff and nursing home management. The training, called “CMS...
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CMS issued two new QSO memos to accompany the interim final rule on COVID-19 staff testing and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) reporting requirements. AHCA...
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CMS issued the text of the interim final rule on August 25 that revises regulations in several areas for long term care (LTC) facilities and...
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On August 12 AHCA released the 2020-Q3 Top-Line for skilled nursing centers. For the first time, it allows facilities to compare their staff and resident...
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Starting on August 20, the CMS-CDC live webinar series will transition to a pre-recorded, self-paced format. The new CMS-CDC Fundamentals of COVID-19 Prevention for Nursing Home Management...
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CMS issued a Quality, Safety & Oversight (QSO) memo, QSO-20-35-ALL, to states instructing them to return to normal survey process as soon as resources in...
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DMAS has issued instructions on how nursing facilities (NFs) and assisted living facilities (ALFs) can access the $33 million and $20 million, respectively, in CARES...
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Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports have been updated and are now available. Providers have until August 30, 2020 to review their performance data....
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VDH has published guidance to help nursing homes on the use of point-of-care (POC) antigen testing devices (Quidel Sofia 2 instrument or the BD Veritor...
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The CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) updated the instructions for completing the NHSN pathway for Resident Impact and Facility Capacity and added questions on testing. NHSN...
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The CMS has issued a 4-page COVID-19 Tip Sheet on the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) System. The tip sheet is designed...
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As explained in July, CMS updated the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131. This form is issued by SNFs and other providers submitting claims...
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CMS issued the final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2021 update. The final rule includes a net market basket increase...
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The current COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) does not waive any requirements related to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Consolidated Billing (CB); however, CMS added CPT...
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When The White House announced an additional $5 billion would be forthcoming in Provider Relief Funds for nursing facilities, a CMS press release also referred...
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On July 31, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced three new approaches to securing funding for Medicaid-only providers, certain Medicare providers,...
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No details are yet available on the instructions for accessing the $53 million in funding announced by Gov. Ralph Northam in June. The Commonwealth will...
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CMS has begun distributing point-of-care (POC) antigen COVID-19 testing devices to nursing facilities (NF) across the country. Since the agency made this announcement on July...
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Last week CMS announced that a new issue is affecting some inpatient hospital and skilled nursing facility (SNF) claims when an interrupted stay is billed...
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AHCA/NCAL is aware of the frustrations members have had with changes in ownership (CHOW) impeding receipt of Provider Relief Funds. Eliminating fraud related to these funds...
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A new issue is affecting some inpatient hospital and skilled nursing facility (SNF) claims when an interrupted stay is billed at the end of the...
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DMAS issued a memo on July 21 extended regulatory flexibilities during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The memo specifies that the additional $20 per day...
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On July 17, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended the application deadline for the Medicaid tranche of the COVID-19 Provider...
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Next week the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) will host the second session in its Office Hour Series to help nursing facilities be infection control...
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Skilled nursing facilities/nursing facilities (SNFs/NFs) must have a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) Certificate of Waiver to perform COVID-19 testing to be used in point-of-care...
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On July 21, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a framework for more detailed Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting guidance and...
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On July 13 VDH published an update to the Nursing Home Guidance for Phased Reopening. The changes update the definition of a nursing home-onset case...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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With so much going on, facilities may have missed updates on a variety of MDS-related topics over the past few months. Operational and reimbursement expert...
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The Virginia National Guard (VANG) is wrapping up the Point Prevalence Surveys (PPS) for all nursing homes and those assisted living facilities (ALFs) with outbreaks...
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According to the Virginia Licensed Nursing Facility COVID-19 Dashboard, over 2,500 nursing home residents and patients have recovered from COVID-19! This data is derived from...
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The CDC and the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) updated the instructions document on one of the four pathways. The Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Pathway instructions...
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In an update to QSO-20-28-NH, CMS reminds nursing facilities that providing ombudsman access to residents is required per 42 CFR § 483.10(f)(4)(i) and per the...
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Virginia Premier has notified VHCA-VCAL that it is still experiencing problems with its group email inboxes. For the final roster billing for the $20 COVID...
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The Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN), the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Virginia, is hosting an office hours series to support survey readiness and help...
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On July 2, 2020, VDH issued Updated VDH Nursing Home Guidance for Phased Reopening and Nursing Home Reopening Guidance Frequently Asked Questions. The agency also...
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On June 25, CMS released QSO 20-34-NH updating changes to the staffing and quality domains of Five-Star due to COVID-19. The updates include lifting the...
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On June 26, CMS updated skilled nursing facility (SNF) billing guidance related to Medicare beneficiaries receiving care when a SNF utilizes the COVID-19 public health...
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According to a June 30 memo, VDH is seeking to schedule point prevalence surveys (PPS) by July 6 to meet the goal of completing PPS...
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Virginia Premier is experiencing technical difficulties with emails as it transfers to the Sentara network. Group email boxes are not working properly. To avoid delays...
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New laws passed during the 2020 General Assembly session take effect July 1. Numerous measures like the bills related to the Long Term Services and...
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As a reminder, our COVID-19 Resources webpage includes links to all of our member updates sent from April Payne, as well as the AHCA/NCAL updates....
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Tammy Eichner, the director of nursing at Galax Health and Rehab, wrote a guest column for the Galax Gazette about navigating her facility through a...
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VHCA-VCAL has learned that some members have begun to receive civil monetary penalty (CMP) grant funds for adaptive communicative technologies to promote virtual visits and...
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It has come to our attention that some members have noticed errors in the COVID-19 outbreak data posted on the Virginia Long-Term Care Task Force...
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On June 24 CMS released an updated set of frequently asked questions on nursing facility visitation. The questions address steps to take before reopening to...
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VDH issued the VDH Nursing Home Guidance for Phased Reopening on June 19. VDH is also working on related FAQs. This week DSS also issued...
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AHCA has partnered with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to offer two updated online in-depth ICD-10 trainings and two new 2.5-hour update trainings...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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The Daily Progress published a letter to the editor from VHCA-VCAL President and CEO Keith Hare describing the close oversight the VDH Office of Licensure...
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According to AHCA, some members have begun to receive notices in CASPER rescinding the F884 citation and civil monetary penalty (CMP) they were given for...
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The Code of Virginia (§32.1-35.1) requires health care facilities that are required to report information about healthcare-associated infections to the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network...
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VDH has refined its approach to Point Prevalence Surveys (PPS) so now the Virginia National Guard (VANG) is reaching out directly to facilities—both nursing centers...
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DMAS has informed VHCA-VCAL that the agency will be changing the way the Medicaid $20 per day add-on is distributed. The now published 2021 operating...
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Gov. Ralph Northam has extended Executive Orders (EOs) related to the healthcare workforce and flexibility for Medicaid providers. EOs 57 and 58, which were set...
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On June 4, CMS publicly released individual facility data related to COVID-19 on Nursing Home Compare. Some centers who reviewed their data, have found errors...
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The deadline to complete the survey being conducted by the governor’s Long Term Care Task Force to support future facility needs has been extended to...
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While nursing homes must continue reporting confirmed and clusters of suspected cases in a cumulative manner in order to meet the current CMS requirements, AHCA/NCAL suggests nursing...
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As a reminder, the fee-for-service (FFS) billing rosters for the May dates of service are due to DMAS tomorrow, June 5. While missing this deadline...
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DMAS has released the Medicaid rate memo for state fiscal year 2021, which begins July 1, 2020. The memo states that the rates are available...
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VHCA-VCAL encourages members to participate in a survey being conducted by the governor’s Long Term Care Task Force to support future facility needs. Separate surveys...
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“Providing as much factual data and real-time information as possible is critical in our ongoing efforts to tackle COVID-19. Our members have supported CMS’ reporting...
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On June 1, CMS released a memo, QSO-20-31-ALL, addressing National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) data, COVID-19 survey activities, enhanced enforcement, and engagement of Quality Improvement...
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DMAS has asked VHCA-VCAL to relay a series of updates on the Medicaid $20 per day add-on. The updates address the May Fee-for-Service (FFS) rosters,...
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VHCA-VCAL invites you to join us for a webinar, COVID-19 Testing, on June 3. This webinar is specifically for nursing facilities and assisted living providers....
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DMAS has issued a Medicaid Memo on New 1135 Waiver and Administrative Provider Flexibilities Related to COVID-19. It includes key information for nursing facilities (NFs)...
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Virginia Premier is available to work on 2019 claims clean up and has provided instructions for providers. We have also been notified that HMS has...
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Marsh & McLennan is conducting a professional liability report for the long term care (LTC) sector on behalf of AHCA/NCAL. This year’s analysis is critical...
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New data released on May 18 by the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) highlights COVID-19 cases and PPE needs across the state. This information, which is...
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This week, CMS provided recommendations in a new memo, QSO-20-30-NH, on a nursing home phased reopening for states. The guidance encourages state leaders to collaborate with...
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AHCA/NCAL has prepared responses to common member questions on reimbursement and legal issues related to COVID-19 testing in long term care (LTC). Reimbursement Issues Medicare...
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The Virginia Hospital and Alerting Status System (VHASS) recently issued updated information on how nursing facilities should request the PPE, calculate burn rate, and what...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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As part of a recent COVID-19 related update to National Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) files, CMS announced the removal of many problematic claim coding edits...
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SNF PPS Part A claims were not being paid day-1 variable per diem rates when a beneficiary switched from Medicare Advantage (MA) to fee-for-service Medicare...
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For PACE participants residing in a nursing facility, the Medicaid $20 per day add-on for COVID-19 will follow the fee-for-service (FFS) hospice model. DMAS will...
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The VDH Office of Licensure and Certification has issued a notice stating there is no need for a request for applications for certificate of public...
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On May 11, CMS Administrator Seema Verma penned a letter to nursing home management and staff. Administrator Verma shared her gratitude for the unwavering dedication...
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National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) COVID-19 mandated reporting for nursing homes has begun. AHCA recommends accurately reporting the staffing and PPE situation at nursing homes...
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On May 21 VHCA-VCAL is hosting a webinar on the CMS and CDC COVID-19 Surveys. Presenter Mary Chiles of Chiles Healthcare Consulting will review the...
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The Board of Long-Term Care Administrators has granted an extension of continuing competency requirements for a period of six months after the deadline for any...
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AHCA/NCAL has a new and expanded version of its popular Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO Version 2), and registration is open for the online training. Phase III...
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The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that their transition to HealthShare Referral Manager and Electronic Claims Administration Management System (eCAMS) for the...
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To receive the Medicaid $20 per day add-on, nursing facilities should submit their roster bills for April tomorrow, May 8, for payments expected by May...
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National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) starts May 10. Remember to balance the risk of social isolation with the risk of infection. Staff and residents...
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In the past weeks, AHCA/NCAL has submitted an array of questions on the Provider Relief Fund. Of particular importance, health care providers have expressed concern...
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CDC has two printable resources regarding proper PPE sequence and usage and disposal of PPE in confirmed or suspected COVID situations. It is highly recommended...
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In QSO-20-29-NH, CMS established two new F-Tags for COVID-19 reporting. The agency has also updated the survey tools. Facilities should begin using the revised “COVID-19...
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CMS released a new memo on May 6, QSO-20-29-NH, addressing the interim final rule requiring nursing homes to report to NHSN on COVID-19 as well...
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CMS issued an interim final rule, effective May 1, which establishes explicit reporting requirements for long term care facilities to report information related to COVID-19...
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Gov. Ralph Northam’s Executive Order 58 suspended the Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) screening requirements for all hospital discharges directly to a nursing facility...
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Earlier this week we communicated that DMAS finalized the guidance and templates and that the roster billing process for the per diem add-on had gone...
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On April 24, 2020, CMS released a memo (QSO-20-28-NH) with updates on Nursing Home Compare (NHC), Five Star, public staffing information, and a list of...
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Gov. Ralph Northam signed Executive Order 60, which reinforces certain existing statutory liability protections for Virginia healthcare workers. Due to COVID-19, public and private healthcare providers are...
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On April 28, the CDC released the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) COVID-19 reporting module for long term care facilities. Currently enrolled facilities will see the...
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This week, the General Assembly approved Gov. Ralph Northam’s $20 per day add-on to Medicaid nursing facility reimbursement during the COVID-19 emergency. DMAS has informed...
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The General Assembly met on Wednesday for its annual reconvened session to consider Gov. Ralph Northam’s action on bills and the budget passed during the...
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DMAS published a Medicaid Memo on provider flexibilities related to COVID-19 on April 22, 2020. The memo includes CCC Plus-specific items related to consent and...
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Two weeks ago, we learned that skilled nursing would be included as part of the stimulus bill’s (aka the CARES Act) $100 billion Provider Relief...
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CMS issued the proposed rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2021 update. AHCA/NCAL reports that the proposed rule...
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Funding from the first disbursement of the CARES Act provider fund (about $30 billion of the $100 billion total) began to hit nursing facility bank...
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In the last week there have been two developments related to nursing facility Medicaid funding. First, on April 10, Gov. Ralph Northam approved a $20...
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CMS is waiving 42 CFR 483.70(q) to provide relief to long term care facilities on the requirements for submitting staffing data through the Payroll-Based Journal...
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The activities that would normally take place to celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) this year will be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. Since the...
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Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Rob Wittman have recorded special video messages for residents and staff. Both offer words of encouragement and thanks to residents...
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As a reminder, our COVID-19 Resources webpage includes links to all of our member updates sent from April Payne. Given the volume of information we...
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DMAS has provided preliminary guidance regarding how stimulus checks will be treated for Medicaid purposes. DMAS expects this to be formalized in a set of...
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Providers may have recently received a letter stating that Optima Health will be retracting money paid for services rendered to Optima Health Community Care members....
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CMS announced it is granting exceptions from reporting requirements and extensions for providers participating in Medicare quality reporting programs (QRP) with respect to upcoming measure...
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DMAS has advised that it has extended the Medicaid cost report filing deadlines to mirror the Medicare cost report filing extensions. We previously provided information...
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QSO-20-20: Prioritization of Surveys describes the new COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes and includes a COVID-19 Self-Assessment, which nursing facilities should complete. VHCA-VCAL has...
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As we have seen in the outbreak in Washington state, nearly half of all residents infected were hospitalized and approximately 20-25 percent died. While some...
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CMS is delaying the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 v1.18.1 release, which had been scheduled for October 1, 2020, in response to stakeholder concerns. The...
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DMAS has requested all health plans suspend timely filing requirements for nursing facility crossover claims back to the beginning of the CCC Plus program until...
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Currently there are no waivers allowing SNFs to vary from the Life Safety Code (LSC) or the Health Care Facilities Code (HCFC) during COVID-19. Life...
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With the considerable burden posed by COVID-19, SNFs have been exploring as many possible ways to reduce administrative burden and free up staff. Palmetto GBA,...
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In a message to stakeholder associations, DMAS Director Karen Kimsey has asked associations to inform their members that any requests of DMAS be sent to...
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VHCA-VCAL has been in close communication with DMAS and DSS to answer member questions about Medicaid eligibility, renewals, how documents are to be signed, and...
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On March 25, the US Senate approved a stimulus package including provisions that would financially assist nursing facilities. The House of Representatives is expected to...
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Late last week, VHCA-VCAL submitted a request to Gov. Ralph Northam to increase Medicaid funding to address cost increases associated with preparation for and response...
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AHCA SNF provider members can now register for the AHCA PDPM Academy 2020 Subscription – Building Optimal Operational Capacities©. This exclusive “SNF provider member only” subscription...
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The Board of Long-Term Care Administrators has granted an extension of continuing competency requirements for a period of six months after the deadline for any...
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The CDC has posted a recorded version of its March 17 webinar Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update and Information for Long-term Care Facilities. During the...
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In light of COVID-19, CMS issued a nationwide waiver of the 3-Day Stay requirement and expanded telehealth for Medicare. Three-Day Stay Waiver On March 14,...
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CDC issued guidance on March 18 on the use of masks, gowns and face shields including suggestions on what to do if in crises shortages...
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Relias has launched How to Prepare for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Influenza: Free Training & Resources, a digital toolkit containing free resources regarding COVID-19 preparedness and...
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Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency this afternoon in response to the spread of COVID-19. The governor’s press release included steps being taken...
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Relias has launched How to Prepare for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Influenza: Free Training & Resources, a digital toolkit containing free resources regarding COVID-19 preparedness and...
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This afternoon the General Assembly approved the budget conference report. In the budget nursing facility Medicaid rates (relative to the very negative rebasing) will be...
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News outlets across the state have been covering how long term care providers are protecting residents from the introduction of the coronavirus into their facilities....
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April Payne, VHCA-VCAL vice president of quality improvement, was part of Gov. Ralph Northam’s press conference on March 11 to provide updates and discuss ongoing...
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Our priority right now is to prevent COVID-19 from getting into nursing facilities and assisted living facilities and if it does get in, to prevent...
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VHASS is conducting a survey to assess how much and where personal protective equipment (PPE) is available in Virginia's hospitals, nursing facilities, and ALFs to...
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AHCA SNF provider members can now register for the AHCA PDPM Academy 2020 Subscription – Building Optimal Operational Capacities©. This exclusive “SNF provider member only” subscription...
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VHCA-VCAL supports Health Quality Innovators (HQI), the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Virginia. HQI recently launched the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) to provide no-cost access...
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CMS issued three new Quality, Safety and Oversight (QSO) memos on March 4, 2020 about COVID-19. Two apply to nursing homes and a third to...
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We have set up a COVID-19 Resources webpage to share information and helpful resources to ensure all members have access to the necessary guidance they...
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Last week SB 686, the bill to only require documentation in individual service plans (ISPs) of “significant change” of condition, not any change, nearly died...
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Skilled nursing facility members can use their new Your Resident Profile for 2020 found in LTC Trend Tracker to complete their required facility assessment. Remember,...
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We have complied a roundup of information and resources related to the coronavirus to help members prevent the spread of the disease, also referred to...
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AHCA is aware that some claims submitted under PDPM to report information previously missed or that was entered incorrectly in the previous submission, have created...
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We are excited to again partner with Judy Wilhide Brandt to host a series of MDS Workshops in March designed specifically for MDS coordinators and...
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President and CEO Keith Hare wrote to Gov. Ralph Northam this week asking him to sign HB 902/SB 902, the legislation to improve the Long...
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Twelve senior legislators have been appointed to work out the differences between the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia budget proposals. Today VHCA-VCAL communicated...
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The latest CMS memo to state survey agencies, QSO-20-11-NH, includes information on more toolkits the agency has developed as part of its strategic initiative to...
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DMAS has re-surveyed the six CCC Plus managed care organizations (MCOs) for updated DMAS-80 submission contacts, including designated fax numbers and escalation staff should additional...
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The 2020 National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) Planning Guide and Product Catalog is available. Start planning now! Browse through the guide for activity and...
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This spring we have planned a series of follow-up sessions for participants in our initiative to reduce preventable rehospitalizations using the INTERACT Quality Improvement Program....
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Budget packages released on February 16 by the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia fully fund the Medicaid forecast and provide additional Medicaid...
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CMS has issued a memo to all providers on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Illness (2019-nCoV) and reminders about infection prevention and control measures. In addition,...
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In a message to licensees, the Board of Long-Term Care Administrators noted that it will cease mailing hard copy licenses and registrations on a yearly...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has asked VHCA-VCAL to share the following information with you about respiratory outbreaks and the coronavirus in particular. The...
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February 10 is the deadline to sign up your activity staff to attend our upcoming course Activities and More … Preparing Activity Professionals for the...
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[caption id="attachment_112296" align="alignright" width="509"] VHCA-VCAL Vice Chairman Derrick Kendall, Secretary of Health and Human Resources Daniel Care, DMAS Director Karen Kimsey, DSS Commissioner Duke Storen...
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Nursing Home Compare (NHC) was updated on January 29 with quality measure data. The latest update also includes Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) staffing data for 2019-Q3....
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CMS has issued a reminder to nursing facilities about infection control information and best practices to improve resident safety and quality. Resources include the Updated...
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How are you defining what success looks like under the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM)? At our March 4 program, Evolving Trends: Outcomes Success Under PDPM, clinical and...
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Mary Chiles has posted the newest SMART report recapping the survey and deficiency results the Chiles Healthcare Consulting team shared at the January 15 education...
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This week numerous bills affecting nursing centers and assisted living facilities were heard in committee including the preadmission screening bill, a staffing ratio bill, and...
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Registration is open for valuable training sessions for your activity professionals and MDS coordinators. From February 17-21, we will offer the 45-hour Activities and More...
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You can now register for the AHCA PDPM Academy 2020 Subscription – Building Optimal Operational Capacities©. This exclusive “SNF provider member only” subscription package includes...
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VHCA-VCAL’s bill, HB 902, which would provide an improved and more efficient process for screening patients who have been discharged from the hospital for short-stay...
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While it is still far from final passage, the Health subcommittee of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee unanimously passed a bill to mandate...
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Virginia Premier has asked VHCA-VCAL remind members that it has set up a dedicated fax line to receive DMAS 80 forms and a dedicated phone...
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Today marks the tenth day of the 60-day 2020 General Assembly session and the deadline by which legislators must introduce all bills. As of this...
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The deadline to apply for the 2020 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is quickly approaching. You must submit your application and payment by 8:00 pm ET...
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We hope you will begin or continue your pursuit of providing the best quality care and services to your residents and patients by participating in...
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CMS has published the Calendar Year 2020 Physician Fee Schedule Payment Final Rule which implements several changes that are effective January 1, 2020. AHCA has...
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The deadline to apply for the 2020 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is only three weeks away. You must submit your application and payment by 8:00...
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The Virginia Department of Health Office of Licensure and Certification (VDH OLC) has published a new guidance document to implement the process by which temporary...
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224 VHCA-VCAL members have achieved progress in meeting the national AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative goals. The group of achievers in Virginia includes 220 nursing facitlies that...
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DMAS has shared additional clarification to nursing facilities to complete the Medicaid Managed Nursing Facility Managed Care Days Survey. The survey deadline is January 3,...
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Gov. Ralph Northam presented his final amendments to the current biennial budget and introduced his funding plan for the next two fiscal years (2021 and...
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To continue to help skilled nursing facility members with the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) system, AHCA will soon launch its new 2020 PDPM Academy. AHCA...
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The deadline to apply for the 2020 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is quickly approaching. You must submit your application and payment by 8:00 pm ET...
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The AHCA/NCAL recognized four Virginia assisted living communities for their achievements through its Quality Initiative Recognition Program, which honors member facilities for their individual work...
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DMAS notified nursing facilities on December 10 that the agency is extending the deadline for providers to complete the DMAS Medicaid Nursing Facility Managed Care...
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VHCA-VCAL members receive 15 percent off the purchase of any Healthcare Interactive® CARES online training program by using promo code AHCA15 at checkout. CARES is the only online dementia training...
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The deadline to apply for the 2020 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is quickly approaching. You must submit your application and payment by 8:00 pm ET...
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CMS urges the use of Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) now to avoid claim and eligibility transaction rejects. Starting January 1, 2020, regardless of the date...
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Virginia Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) have introduced legislation to help senior living facilities caring for aging adults to...
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2019 was a tumultuous year for survey outcomes. Virginia’s nursing facilities have witnessed an increase in the number of deficiencies and more deficiencies with higher...
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VHCA-VCAL was copied on an email from DMAS that requests providers fill out a “Survey Monkey” designating the number of Virginia Medicaid Nursing Facility Managed...
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In a column in Provider, AHCA associate vice president for therapy advocacy Daniel Ciolek poses the six "W" questions to providers to assess decisions made...
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On December 4, 2019, CMS updated the Nursing Home Compare and Five Star Quality Rating System, which includes an update to the inspection component of...
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CMS issued a memo on November 22, 2019 explaining its interpretative guidance for Phase 3 of the Requirements of Participation (ROP) will not be available...
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AHCA/NCAL is offering a new instructional webinar, Pioneering Solutions to the Workforce Crisis. This 45-minute webinar delivers practical action steps and strategies assisted living and...
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On November 25, 2019, DMAS will publish an Exempt Action Final Regulation to eliminate the hospital’s three-day exception post-discharge for providing the Medicaid long-term services...
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On November 25, 2019, DMAS will publish an Exempt Action Final Regulation to elminate the hospital’s three-day exception post-discharge for providing the Medicaid long-term services...
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Today, November 21, 2019 is the deadline to submit your Intent to Apply (ITA) for the 2020 AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards as well as the deadline...
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In a recent report, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) determined that Medicare improperly paid for skilled nursing facility (SNF) services when the Medicare 3-Day...
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CMS has funded Health Quality Innovators (HQI) to deliver five years of no-cost assistance to nursing homes in Virginia through the CMS Quality Innovation Network...
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New data released by the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) shows that 94 percent of both Virginia’s assisted living administrators (ALFAs) and nursing home...
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DMAS has announced a schedule change for the January LTC Portal and LTSS Screening call. The January call will be held on January 23, not...
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Medicare’s change to PDPM effective October 1, 2019 has necessitated a change in how the Medicaid program calculates its liability, if any, for dual eligibles’...
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Two CCC Plus health plans, Virginia Premier and Magellan, have recently indicated systemic nursing facility claims issues that both, while different, seem to be related...
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Now that the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) system is in effect for skilled nursing facilities, AHCA is looking to 2020 and how the association...
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Celebrate the hard work you have done to measurably improve the lives of your residents. The 2020 AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative Recognition Program honors member centers and communities...
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November 18-24, 2019 is U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW). Use resources from the CDC to help spread the word about the appropriate use of antibiotics to...
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AHCA is excited to announce the theme for 2020 National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW): "Sharing Our Wisdom." NSNCW will take place May 10-16, 2020....
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Most long term care facilities (about 75%) are being overcharged for one or more of their utilities and these overpayments are wasted dollars out the...
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The submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) has been extended to November 18, 2019. Assessment data for inpatient rehabilitation...
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Due to technical difficulties with the Quality Award Portal, AHCA/NCAL has extended the National Quality Award Intent to Apply (ITA) deadline to November 21. Submissions...
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On November 1, 2019, CMS issued a final rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the...
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On November 5, CMS announced an update on claims payments under the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM). As CMS has undertaken the implementation of PDPM, it...
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November 28, 2019, the Requirements of Participation (ROP) Phase 3 effective date, is just around the corner. To help centers ensure compliance, AHCA has released...
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Our final education program of 2019 will focus on trauma-informed care, a Requirements of Participation Phase 3 element. Barbara Speedling will use an interactive approach...
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AHCA has issued a member update on PDPM claims processing. The update covers the latest information on the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) ability to process...
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The October 2019 quarterly Nursing Home Compare (NHC) refresh, including updated quality measure results based on Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) data...
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Don't miss the opportunity to save on your Quality Award application fee for 2020! The Intent to Apply (ITA) deadline is coming up next week...
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CMS wants to ensure that state survey inspectors are adequately determining SNF compliance with federal regulations. In a recent memo, the agency said it is...
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Due to unexpected scheduling conflicts DMAS has canceled the scheduled November 14 conference call related to the LTC Portal and LTSS Screening. The calls will...
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U.S. News and World Report has again issued its annual list of “Best Nursing Homes” across the country. Nearly 3,000 centers nationwide received the “best”...
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Sign up today to for the November 21 education program, A First Look at PDPM Claims. MDS expert Judy Willhide Brandt and rehab and therapy...
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VHCA-VCAL is pleased to announce you can take advantage of special savings on Healthcare Interactive® CARES online training, the only online dementia care training program...
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We encourage you to submit your Intent to Apply (ITA) payment for the 2020 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award application cycle today! While not mandatory, applicants...
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There is still time for you to take advantage of the free Quality Award Bronze and Silver Criteria Workshops on October 29. These workshops are...
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AHCA has posted numerous CMS updates and resources for PDPM. Updates include information on a work-around for MDS errors, and the potential elimination of MDS...
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On October 23 CMS added an alert icon on Nursing Home Compare (NHC) to centers that have been cited for one of three abuse and...
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With a few weeks of the new Medicare Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) behind you, you may be wondering how it’s all working. Register today...
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Have you earned a National Quality Award in the last three years? Or maybe you’ve never applied for one. Sign up for our free Quality...
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The 2020 Quality Initiative Recognition Program will honor AHCA/NCAL member skilled nursing care centers and assisted living communities that have achieved one or more of...
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The Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health is hosting a workshop on “Creating a Daytime Environment” as part of its series on...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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Over the last week CMS has issued three important manual updates for PDPM implementation. AHCA has conducted a preliminary review of these updates. AHCA is also...
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AHCA has expressed objections to the red hand consumer alert icon CMS plans to add to the Nursing Home Compare website beginning October 23 to...
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VHCA-VCAL has heard from several members that audits of Anthem CCC Plus claims, undertaken by their contractor HMS, have been extremely problematic. Specifically, the scope...
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The Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health is hosting a workshop on “Creating a Daytime Environment” as part of its series on...
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VHCA-VCAL is hosting a series of free Quality Award workshops to help you prepare your application for the 2020 AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards. Wendy Walters and...
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Virginia Premier has issued a Provider Update on LTSS Screening. The plan has updated its fax number to facilitate paperwork processing for screenings. Virginia Premier...
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Optima and Virginia Premier have announced that Optima is seeking 80 percent ownership of Virginia Premier. Officials from Virginia Premier have informed VHCA-VCAL that the...
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Since we shared the methodology for handling Part A claims under PDPM last week, DMAS has modified its guidance related to whether coinsurance days are...
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On October 7, CMS posted a revision to the PDPM DLL Package (V1.0003 FINAL). This revision replaces the previous version (V1.0002 FINAL). The new version...
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Responding to the news about the coming changes to Nursing Home Compare (NHC), AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson commented, “We support transparency so that...
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On October 23, CMS will make several changes to the Nursing Home Compare (NHC) website and the Five-Star Quality Rating System. These changes will affect...
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Judy Wilhide Brandt and Mark McDavid are analyzing actual Virginia claims data under the new Medicare Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM). With input from their...
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It is critical for nursing centers and assisted living communities to address and mitigate reported incidents of resident-to-resident mistreatment. AHCA/NCAL has developed two new tools...
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The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has posted the updated payer rates and charges associated with the Community Care Network (CCN) effective October 1,...
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The US Department of Labor (DOL) finalized its proposed rule to increase the salary threshold under which “white collar” exempt staff would be guaranteed time-and-a-half pay...
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued recommendations on preparing for the 2019-20 influenza season. Recommendations include annual vaccination for anyone aged...
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On October 1 the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) became the Medicare Part A fee-for-service payment system for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Check out resources and...
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With the Requirements of Participation (ROP) Phase 3 implementation deadline just weeks away, make plans to attend the October 30 education program to make sure...
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October 1 marks the start of the new Medicare Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM). We’ve gathered together resources to help ensure your facility is correctly...
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Candida auris is a type of yeast that has been causing severe illness in residents and patients in a variety of health care settings, including...
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George Mason University’s Department of Social Work is inviting randomly-selected nursing facilities in Virginia to participate in the Mason Music and Memory Initiative (M3I). M3I...
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Provider Magazine reports on the implementation of the arbitration regulations released this summer that took effect on September 16. The final rule (CMS 3342-F) will...
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September 16 is the deadline to share feedback with CMS on the proposed rule that aims to ease some of the administrative and paperwork burdens...
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VHCA-VCAL has been made aware of recent concerns over NF residents’ consent for the purchase of dental coverage. The cost associated with needed dental services is...
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On the most recent set of CCC Plus claims issues calls, DMAS asked if providers were experiencing any issues with CCC Plus billing for individuals...
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September 13, 2019 is the deadline to submit spreadsheets with any outstanding Virginia Premier CCC claims issues and any outstanding Virginia Premier CCC Plus claims...
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AHCA offers last minute tips and resources to be successful implementing the new Medicare Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) to ensure your facility is correctly...
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We’ve got answers for you about Phase 3 at the Convention and our October 30 education program. Plan to attend the Convention session on Requirements...
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Virtual ICD-10 Coding training is available through AHCA and is important to PDPM success. Check out the online training options for coders and non-coders. AHCA/AHIMA ICD-10...
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The decision to evacuate or shelter-in-place when a hurricane approaches is a difficult one. PBS NewsHour and The Conversation report on the life-and-death decision nursing...
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On September 2, Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in advance of Hurricane Dorian’s effects on southeastern Virginia, anticipated to begin Thursday. Leaders...
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On August 30, CMS updated a number of subregulatory PDPM materials including: PDPM FAQs – Changes in terminology such as 5-Day Assessment now called the...
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For some time now, VHCA members, DMAS, and the six CCC Plus managed care organizations (MCOs) have been conducting periodic calls to identify and resolve...
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In a press release issued today, the Northam Administration announced that DMAS Director Dr. Jennifer Lee will resign from her post effective October 9. Karen...
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Under Phase 3 of the Requirements of Participation (ROP), every nursing facility must have a designated and specially trained infection preventionist who is running a...
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On September 10 the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and Quality Assurance Performance Improvement program will host a call on approaches to care for...
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VHCA-VCAL met with Chief Workforce Development Advisor Megan Healy on August 28 to discuss workforce needs in the long term care sector. This meeting follows...
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In an effort to provide more specific issue resolution for nursing facility (NF) claims under CCC Plus, Virginia Premier has established a specific inbox for NF...
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On August 27, DMAS provided an update that the DMAS-80 will be revised by September 1 to include a check box for individuals admitted prior...
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With hurricane season in full swing as Dorian approaches the southeast coast of the US, we encourage members to review their emergency preparedness plans and...
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Our October 30 education program will center on what you need to know to be sure your center is in compliance with Phase 3 of...
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SNFs that are not well versed in PDPM and ICD-10 coding are at a much higher risk of seeing their revenue negatively impacted and are...
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As of August 14, SNF Provider Preview Reports have been updated and are now available for viewing. Providers have until September 16 to review their...
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Learn about your SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program Performance Score Report on this August 27 CMS call. CMS experts will present a high level summary...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has asked VHCA-VCAL to share information with members on containing multi-drug resistant organisms (MRDOs). The information from VDH...
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We are coordinating with AHCA to encourage members to submit individual comments to CMS in support of proposed changes that will reduce administrative paperwork burden...
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DMAS has indicated it will be providing its decision on the approach to Part A crossover claims under the Medicare PDPM. Under PDPM, effective for...
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As we announced earlier this month, Virginia Premier is working to closeout any claims issues from the Dual Demonstration (CCC), which ran from August 2014...
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AHCA will host a live webinar on August 27 at 3:00 pm to explain how providers can use a concise and downloadable 11th Hour PDPM...
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Look no further than the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Program! Applications for the 2020 program cycle are available online. Participating in the Quality Award Program has...
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A recording of the webinar held by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and AHCA on the VA MISSION Act is now available. During...
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In the latest edition of Provider Magazine AHCA’s associate vice president, therapy advocacy Dan Ciolek explains that "providers that do not rely on dusty obsolete...
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CMS has released a revision to a memo it issued this spring on “Revisions to Appendix Q, Guidance on Immediate Jeopardy.” The revised memo adds...
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CMS has issued a new fact sheet on the skilled nursing facility (SNF) 3-Day Rule Billing process and how it is currently intended to work. The fact...
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AHCA will host a webinar on the CMS final arbitration rule on August 29 at 2:00 pm. In July CMS issued the final rule that...
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Virginia Premier, in consultation with VHCA-VCAL, has determined it would like to run a project to close out any remaining claims issues from the CCC...
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Virginia ranks 23rd in the state ranking of the quarterly prevalence of antipsychotic use for long stay residents for the fourth quarter of 2018 (the...
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Become the best in quality and get ready for the 2020 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program cycle! It’s just around the corner – applications and the criteria...
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A recording of the webinar AHCA hosted on July 24 summarizing the new CMS Requirements of Participation proposed rule is available for on-demand viewing. Visit...
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CMS issued a final rule outlining the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Medicare prospective payment system rate update and quality reporting requirements for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)....
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Are you still trying to wrap your head around what you need to do to get ready for the new Medicare payment methodology by October?...
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VHCA-VCAL is excited to announce a new partnership with HPSI, one of the nation’s leading Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO). HPSI offers a group purchasing program...
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As we shared last week, DMAS is hosting a series of Q&A sessions on the new LTC Portal through August. DMAS has also shared two...
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[caption id="attachment_102075" align="alignright" width="266"] AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkison[/caption] AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson affirmed the industry’s commitment to quality care in a...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has asked VHCA-VCAL to share a clinician letter from Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, MD regarding respiratory illness outbreaks reported...
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DMAS has compiled a document listing the CCC Plus managed care organizations (MCO) fax numbers. Nursing facilities should use these numbers to submit a copy...
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Become the best in quality and get ready for the 2020 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program cycle! It’s just around the corner – applications and the criteria...
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CMS issued a final rule that reverses the Obama-era ban on the use of arbitration agreements. This rule makes it very clear that providers have the...
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On July 16, 2019, CMS issued the proposed rule that is intended to ease some of the pressures of the Requirements of Participation (ROPs) and...
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As a reminder, DMAS has implemented procedural changes about how new admissions and level of care changes on and after July 1, 2019 are to...
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DMAS will be hosting weekly calls every Tuesday from 1:00 - 2:00 pm through August 27 to discuss questions related to the LTC Portal and...
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DMAS is hosting a second training session for nursing facilities on how to use the new Automated Enrollment and Disenrollment (AE&D) Portal (aka, “LTC Portal”)...
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An updated version of the guidance for implementation of the no UAI/no payment policy is available. The revision is dated July 1. The guidance was...
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The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press have published letters to the editor (LTEs) written by VHCA-VCAL President and CEO Keith Hare in response to their recent...
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To help you prepare for the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), Robin Hillier will review important topics to help you succeed. Bring your team to...
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Following extensive communication with DMAS over the last month, VHCA-VCAL has prepared additional guidance for members on how to prepare for the enforcement of the...
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In announcing the 2019 Silver - Achievement in Quality Award winners, AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson said, “Despite all of the challenges we face...
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New Medicaid rates and new laws take effect on July 1, the start of a new state fiscal year. The new rates reflect a 2.9...
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VHCA-VCAL has a comprehensive program to help nursing facilities meet the infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship requirements being enforced by CMS. While originally designed for...
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The Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) published a revised version of the Facility Reported Incident (FRI) form on its website this spring. The latest...
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In order to better align with CMS and DMAS billing standards, Virginia Premier has announced in a Provider Update it will be updating its claims...
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DMAS will soon enforce the “no UAI / no payment” policy for nursing facility residents admitted on and after July 1, 2019. This will be...
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The 2019 Annual Convention on September 23-26 offers you the opportunity to connect with your colleagues, learn from nationally recognized experts, and recharge with new...
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Most long term care facilities (about 75%) are being overcharged for one or more of their utilities and these overpayments are wasted dollars out the...
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Watch a recording of a webinar hosed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and AHCA to learn about the VA MISSION Act and...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is hosting a webinar on June 20 to review the April 12 Medicaid bulletin Screening Prior to Nursing...
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Join April Payne on June 14 at 11:00 am for a webinar to answer your questions about the changes to the process for Long Term...
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We have gathered resources and talking points you can use if families have questions about the ongoing media coverage of the US Department of Health...
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If you were unable to attend the INTERACT Training session in your area earlier this spring in Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, or Roanoke, you can sign up...
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Join us on August 14 for a day-long education program, Strategies for Success Under the Payment Driven Payment Model. Online registration is now available. To...
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Fifteen new members join the ranks of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award winners earning their Bronze-Commitment to Quality Awards for their dedication to quality care. VHCA-VCAL...
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Medicaid rates for state fiscal year 2020, which begins on July 1, 2019, have been posted to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) website....
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According to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), nursing facilities (NFs) will be able to bill the managed care organizations (MCOs) directly for the...
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Following the release of a US Senate report about a list of nursing centers with a “persistent record of poor care,” national and state media...
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With so much going on these days, we decided to give you a breather and extend the deadline for nominations for the VHCA-VCAL Awards program...
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As we have previously communicated, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) will begin enforcing the “no UAI / no payment” policy for nursing facility...
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Accurate ICD-10 coding and documentation are important to the success of your PDPM implementation. Have you taken steps to evaluate your team’s coding proficiency? AHCA...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Learning Network is hosting an upcoming call on reporting requirements and resources for the Skilled Nursing...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has issued a special edition of its Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) High Sign newsletter about Candida auris. The newsletter focuses...
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Winning a statewide award and acknowledging the great work of your staff and volunteers can boost morale at your center. Give your deserving DON, CNA,...
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AHCA’s Virtual PDPM Training can help you prepare for the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM). If you missed the AHCA PDPM Academy Workshop in March, this...
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released two new complimentary clinical tools to help health care providers reduce older adult falls—the leading cause...
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On May 20 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an early release of several files associated with the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.17...
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Each year we are thrilled to recognize VHCA-VCAL members, staff, and volunteers for their dedication to enriching the lives of those they serve in their...
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Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports are available. Review your performance data by May 30, prior to public display on Nursing Home Compare in July 2019....
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The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has updated its guidance for Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs. This guidance is aimed at assisting prosecutors in making decisions as...
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Do you know an outstanding administrator, DON or CNA? Are your residents still talking about an activity program they loved? Or do you have volunteers...
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Registration is open for valuable training sessions for your MDS coordinators and activity directors. Judy Wilhide Brandt will teach the MDS Basic Part I and...
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“We know that in Hampton Roads and across the state nursing facilities work tirelessly to care for WWII veterans, retired teachers, farmers, doctors, homemakers, and...
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The deadline for submitting your nominations for the 2019 VHCA-VCAL annual awards is right around the corner! Help us celebrate your staff, activity programming, and...
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As a reminder the submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Programs for the fourth quarter of 2018 is May 15. For...
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A Brown University team led by Dr. Vincent Mor examined the nature and degree of hospitals’ efforts to collaborate with skilled nursing centers and associated...
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Under the MISSON Act, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expected to roll out proposed regulations relating to Veterans Care Agreements before the...
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The most recent analysis of nursing facility occupancy data for the facility fiscal year ending in 2017 by the Virginia Department of Health’s Division...
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Daniel Ciolek, AHCA Associate Vice President of Therapy Advocacy, wrote in the May issue of Provider Magazine that upcoming changes to Medicare reimbursement under the...
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National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) is next week, May 12-18. Check out the resources at ahcancal.org/NSNCW to help you celebrate NSNCW’s “Live Soulfully” theme,...
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VHCA-VCAL is pleased to announce that we have partnered with AHCA/NCAL on a new preferred provider program called Cleary Energy. The program is designed to...
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With thousands of codes and changes based on the new Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), accurate ICD-10 coding is essential. If you’ve been looking for...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offer Resources for Integrated Care that supports providers integrating benefits for people receiving both Medicare and Medicaid....
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Medicaid reimbursement for hospice services provided in a nursing facility (NF) will change effective July 1, 2019. Legislation passed by the General Assembly will...
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Virginia Premier and Anthem, two of the managed care organizations which participated in the predecessor program to CCC Plus, known as Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC)...
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Earlier today we shared information on a negative article that ran in the Daily Press and the Virginian Pilot on nursing home care in Hampton...
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The Hospital and Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) has extended the deadlines for its 2019 nursing home and continuing care retirement community (CCRC) salary and benefits...
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[caption id="attachment_102017" align="alignright" width="331"] David Gifford, MD, AHCA Senior Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs[/caption] Responding to the changes in the Five-Star ratings on...
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Changes to the Five-Star rating system on Nursing Home Compare went live on April 24. The changes reflect several significant updates to all three components...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2020 Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) proposed payment rule issued on April 19 is “good news” according to...
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Effective July 1, 2019, the inflation increase for Medicaid rates for nursing facility services and specialized care for state fiscal year (SFY) 2020 will be...
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The AHCA has issued new resources for nursing center members to support creating or updating a Compliance and Ethics Program under Phase 3 of the...
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Candida auris has been the subject of recent media stories based on a New York Times article. C. auris is an emerging yeast that can...
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In reaction to a blog posted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma titled “Ensuring Quality and Safety in America's...
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[caption id="attachment_105874" align="alignright" width="407"] Payment for Services Committee[/caption] VHCA-VCAL members and staff will again present their concerns about CCC Plus implementation to Department of Medical...
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Encourage your staff to apply for a 2019 Regirer Nursing Scholarship before the May 24 application deadline. The $1500 scholarships are available exclusively for or...
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To help you prepare for the forthcoming changes to the new Five-Star ratings that will be published on the Nursing Home Compare (NHC) website later...
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The Department of Labor has recently published three notices of proposed rulemaking that may affect nursing centers and assisted living communities related to overtime and joint...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a revised version of its 42-page “Patient-Driven Payment Model: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)” on April 4....
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VCHA-VCAL associate member and frequent presenter Judy Wilhide Brandt participated in a panel discussion on the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) focused on the roles...
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Kaiser Health News (KHN) has published an article on suicides connected to long term care (LTC) settings. While data shows that suicides are rare in...
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An audio recording and transcript are available for the March 12 Medicare Learning Network (MLN) call on the Dementia Care and Psychotropic Medication Tracking Tool. Learn about the tool, updates on...
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Dan Ciolek, AHCA Associate Vice President of Therapy Advocacy outlines some of the expectations skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) should have as the implementation of the...
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The National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) 2019 Toolkit is now available. Use the toolkit to promote your activities and spread the word during the...
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AHCA will host a webinar on Monday, April 8 on the new Five-Star Rating System changes that will be published on Nursing Home Compare later this month. As...
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Applications for the 2019 Regirer Nursing Scholarships are now available online. Encourage your staff members who are interested in obtaining their LPN or RN degree...
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Employee satisfaction positively impacts Five-Star Quality Ratings, retention, and resident and family experiences. As part of its ongoing offerings to help nursing homes improve resident...
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The 18-month moratorium of enforcement penalties under Phase 2 of the Requirements of Participation (ROP) will end in May, according to Centers for Medicare and...
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In April 2019, several changes will be made to the Nursing Home Compare website and the Five-Star Quality Rating System. These changes will affect all...
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The October 1 PDPM implementation date is rapidly approaching and training key staff now to be ICD-10 proficient is critical. The American Health Care Association...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a memo outlining oversight and enforcement measures for nursing facilities that are late-adopters of measures...
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The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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The US Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a new proposed rule that would increase the number of workers eligible for overtime. The proposal does...
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On March 20 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a call on the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program...
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The 2019 Hospital and Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) Nursing Home Salary and Benefits study is now underway. The national study is supported by AHCA. The...
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In meetings this week with representatives of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Long Term Care Administrators, state regulators indicated that they...
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On March 13, over 250 members attended the AHCA PDPM Academy Workshop to learn what they need to do to get ready for the new...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a memorandum about changes to the Five-Star Rating system on Nursing Home Compare that will...
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Virginia Senator Mark Warner asked panelists at the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on nursing home abuse and neglect a series of questions about the viability...
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Solutions to address staffing, access to background check information, and the need for satisfaction data were the chief recommendations offered by David Gifford, MD, MPH,...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued needed guidance on immediate jeopardy (IJ) penalties in advance of this week’s Congressional hearing on nursing...
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VHCA-VCAL is launching an initiative to reduce preventable rehospitalizations by providing training on the INTERACT Quality Improvement Program. We will be hosting sessions in the...
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With thousands of codes and changes based on the new Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), accurate ICD-10 coding is critical. PDPM relies on accurate patient...
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In case you missed it (ICYMI): the Department of Health finalized the electronic monitoring regulations and CMS issued an emergency preparedness update to Appendix D...
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There are currently five seats on the Board of Long Term Care Administrators open for appointment for new terms beginning June 30, 2019. VHCA-VCAL encourages...
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The General Assembly adjourned on February 24, one day later than it was scheduled to, after reaching agreement on the budget. VHCA-VCAL is pleased to...
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David Tucker, Mandy Gannon and Fred Stratmann joined Keith Hare for a series of meetings with members of the Virginia Congressional delegation on February 27....
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted an update to the MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual Version 12.0. The update contains detailed...
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Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports are available. Review your performance data by March 4, prior to public display on Nursing Home Compare in April 2019....
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A new AHCA/NCAL study shows that, on average, for-profit facilities took care of a significantly higher percentage of Medicaid beneficiaries as compared to not-for-profit (62.5...
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to publish a final rule soon that will govern how skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and other health care...
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Earlier this week VHCA-VCAL Vice President of Quality Improvement April Payne shared advice to help members complete their PASRR/Level 1 screenings for residents who don’t...
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The 2019 National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) Planning Guide and Product Catalog is available online. Start planning now! Browse through the guide to get...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a MLN Matters article summarizing instructions to Medicare Administrative Contractors to put in place the changes to...
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Nursing facilities have until February 22, 2019 to complete the annual Nursing Facility Wage Survey. Your responses to this survey are critical as the data...
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VHCA-VCAL is one of six grantees awarded funding by the Department of Medical Assistance Services from the civil monetary grant (CMP) fund to implement a...
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Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports are available. Review your performance data by March 4, prior to public display on Nursing Home Compare in April 2019....
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The January 2019 Nursing Home Compare (NHC) Refresh, including quality measure results based on the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) data submitted...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memo on February 1 to state survey agency directors regarding an update to Appendix Z of the...
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On February 5, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted a new draft version (V3.00.0) of the MDS 3.0 Data Specifications on its...
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Space is limited to 250 attendees from member facilities and filling fast for the AHCA PDPM Academy. Sign up today to get access to the...
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The General Assembly hits "crossover" on Tuesday, February 5. That’s the deadline by which the House and Senate must act on bills that originated in their...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published a memo summarizing the inflation adjustments to the civil monetary penalty (CMP) amounts that may be imposed...
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St. Clare Newport, a CCRC in Rhode Island, successfully evacuated all 87 of its residents last week when it lost its heat amid a regional gas...
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VHCA-VCAL bills received favorable votes in committee this week, including truth in advertising, emergency evacuation of nursing homes, and assisted living facility generator testing. We...
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The 2019 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award application deadline is next week—January 31. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be recognized for your commitment to...
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Are you making progress completing your Level 1 PASRR screening for all your residents? As a reminder, nursing facilities have until July 1 to ensure...
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It’s that time of year, when facilities may experience an outbreak of the norovirus. This highly contagious, difficult to eradicate virus causes nausea, vomiting, and...
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Enroll in the members-only AHCA PDPM Academy to get the knowledge and support you need to successfully transition to the Patient Drive Payment Model (PDPM),...
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Riverside Health System and Empira are presenting a free workshop for long term care providers on January 24 at Rappahannock Community College on Creating a...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is hosting a Medicaid Expansion and Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) webinar on January 23 from 11:00...
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AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson wrote a memo to members describing the latest proposal to administer the Medicaid program via block grants to states....
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Today marks the tenth day of the 45-day 2019 General Assembly session and the deadline by which legislators must introduce all bills. Committees have been...
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AHCA has an education program designed to help skilled nursing facilities succeed under the CMS value based purchasing payment program (SNF VBP) that took effect on October...
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Virginia ranks 21st in the state ranking of the quarterly prevalence of antipsychotic use for long stay residents for the second quarter of 2018 (the...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is hosting a Medicaid Expansion and Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) webinar on January 23, 2019 from...
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To assist with the CCC Plus Managed Care Organizations' (MCO) efforts to clean up the Medicare Part A bad debt, members should provide Steve Ford...
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The news from Arizona about the woman who has been in a persistent vegetative state in a nursing facility for over 10 years and gave...
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McKnight’s Long Term Care News reported on comments by AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson on low Medicaid reimbursement for nursing home care. He said,...
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The Virginia General Assembly kicked off its 2019 legislative session on January 9. Legislators are scheduled to meet for 45 days this year. VHCA-VCAL’s priorities...
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With the end of the 2018 provider fiscal year and the deadline for cost reports, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has issued guidance...
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Now you can get the same information by registering for the online version of the intensive training. This video session provides background about the new...
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One-third of skilled nursing facility residents experience an adverse or temporary harm event, and the majority of those are preventable. As part of CMS’s focus...
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An audio recording and transcript are available for the December 11, 2018 call on the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS). On October 1, 2019, the new Patient Driven...
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[caption id="attachment_102277" align="alignright" width="199"] Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (PRNewsFoto/Office of Inspector General Department of Health and Human Services)[/caption]...
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Each year the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) collects wage data from nursing centers. This data is used in the calculation of the annual...
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Nursing facilities should be taking steps between now and July 1 to ensure Level I screenings have been completed for all individuals. In a Medicaid...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the nursing facility survey process is not affected by the continuing federal government shutdown. CMS is...
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In a competitive and ever-changing market, providers must identify ways to stay a step ahead and stand out to potential customers and referral sources. The...
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On December 18, Governor Ralph Northam presented his amendments to the current biennial budget to the General Assembly’s budget-writing committees. We are pleased to report...
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Kick off 2019 by joining us January 10 for the first education program of the new year, Surveys Say: Analysis of the 2018 LTCSP Results....
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AHCA has developed a six-part course, Understanding SNF VBP in Detail, to provide an in-depth description of each feature of the CMS Skilled Nursing Facility...
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Register now for the January 10 education program, Surveys Say: Analysis of the 2018 LTCSP Results. According to presenter Mary Chiles, RN, RAC-CT, nationally 25%...
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Register now for the December 11 CMS SNF PPS: New Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) Call. SNF PPS: New Patient Driven Payment Model Call December...
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Nursing center providers are encouraged to start creating or updating their Compliance and Ethics Program that is required for Phase 3 of the Requirements of...
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[caption id="attachment_102017" align="alignright" width="400"] David Gifford, MD, AHCA Senior Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs[/caption] Following the announcement from the Centers for Medicare and...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is taking steps to ensure that skilled nursing facilities are adequately staffed. The November...
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In a Medicaid Memo on the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Process issued November 19, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has established...
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VHCA-VCAL members can register for a new education program designed to help skilled nursing facilities succeed under the new CMS value-based purchasing payment program (SNF...
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Following a deadly shooting at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago earlier this month, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response...
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As part of its continued commitment to the nation’s most vulnerable populations, CMS has launched the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP), a three-year effort...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a new webpage on the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) with resources to help skilled nursing...
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National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) will take place May 12-18, 2019, and the theme, "Live Soulfully," will celebrate skilled nursing centers, and their residents...
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SNF Provider Preview Reports are available on quality measures based on second quarter 2017 through first quarter 2018 data. Review your performance data by November...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) which seeks to revise the Medicaid managed care regulations...
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AHCA has launched a new education program designed to help skilled nursing facilities succeed under the new CMS value based purchasing payment program (SNF VBP)...
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One of the best ways to understand the demands of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award criteria is to serve as an Examiner. The Quality Award...
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The Department of Health is in the final stages of promulgating regulations for electronic monitoring in nursing facilities. Installing such equipment will not be mandatory...
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Don’t miss out on the opportunity to save on your 2019 National Quality Award application fee and get access to extra educational resources. While not...
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Read the newest SMART report to find out what the Top Ten deficiencies for the current survey year under the new Long Term Survey Process (LTCSP)...
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Member centers continue to be targets of attack ads run in papers across the state by a Florida-based plaintiffs’ firm. The second round of ads...
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U.S. News and World Report will issue its annual list of “Best Nursing Homes” across the country on October 30. To help you respond to questions...
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Do you need in-service training on dementia management and resident abuse prevention? CMS, supported by a team of training developers and subject matter experts, has...
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As of October 24, CMS has added the five skilled nursing facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) measures to Nursing Home Compare. The new measures...
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The Virginian Pilot and the Loudoun Times-Mirror published letters to the editor submitted by VHCA-VCAL President and CEO Keith Hare calling the attack ads against...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has updated the Reportable Disease List by removing some diseases and reorganizing the list to allow greater flexibility with...
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With the latest round of conference calls on the CCC Plus program, it became evident that claims processing issues persist. VHCA-VCAL is disappointed at the...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) signaled it is exploring increasing the civil monetary penalties levied against nursing facility staff and volunteers who...
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Join us on November 15 for a day-long education program to learn about the new per-diem payment system, Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), replacing the Medicare...
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VHCA-VCAL member nursing centers are again the subject of attack ads placed by a Florida-based plaintiffs’ firm. If your center is the subject of an...
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LTC Trend Tracker users should have received their third quarter Top-Line Publication earlier this week. The new publication features metrics and graphs that outline your community’s...
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The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule on September 20, 2018 entitled Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Regulatory Provisions to Promote...
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Have you heard the news? Your Quality Initiative Progress is a LTC Trend Tracker℠ publication that includes metrics and graphics outlining individual center's progress through the...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that a new report for Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) is now available for providers, The...
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DMAS will hold its final provider conference call on care coordination under CCC Plus on September 25 from 1:00 – 1:45 pm. Call-in number: 1-866-842-5779...
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On September 19, VHCA-VCAL provided comments to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) recommending changes for the January 1, 2019 CCC Plus contract revision....
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A team of nationally recognized long term care researchers from Brown University are undertaking a large-scale quality improvement study to evaluate the impact of the...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has issued its Guidance Document to MDS Section S. The updates are effective October 1, 2018. VHCA-VCAL is...
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Although the weather forecast indicates that Hurricane Florence will make landfall in the Carolinas, parts of Virginia may feel its effects from heavy rains, potential...
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Not only do AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award winners have better outcomes than the national averages on the key quality performance measures, did you also know...
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“Modern skilled nursing rehabilitation facilities are not like the nursing homes of the 1970s, but we continue to be treated as if we are the...
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During the Congressional hearing on skilled nursing facility quality and safety, Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA-9), Vice Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee of the...
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September marks the start of the most active month for hurricanes. Be sure your center is ready if it needs to evacuate for a natural...
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After the release of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) FY 2019 Final Rule, AHCA has received many questions about the order...
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CMS has issued a memorandum on the Survey Process for Reviewing Home Dialysis Services in a Long Term Care (LTC) Facility. The memo, QSO-18-24-ESRD covers...
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Virginia Premier has distributed its Provider Resource Tool and asked VHCA-VCAL to share it with members. It includes various procedural items and contact information for...
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AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine - encourages post-acute and long-term care (PA/LTC) facilities to strengthen their employee immunization programs to...
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Changes to the security settings for the Palmetto GBA eServices will take effect on September 9, 2018. Review the infographic for details on the changes...
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The Board of Long Term Care Administrators, after analyzing data from disciplinary cases, has revised the Sanctioning Reference Points (SRP) work sheet to build on...
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For the latest news and materials related to the Patient Drive Payment Model (PDPM), visit the members only AHCA PDPM webpage. Content on the page...
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The Martinsville Bulletin published a letter to the editor by Anne Corpening, a resident of Blue Ridge Health and Rehab Center. Corpening wrote the letter...
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As a reminder, nursing centers should submit their Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data for the quarter running from April 1 – June 30, 2018 in advance...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Confidential Performance Score Reports, which contains each...
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Training materials from the recent two-day Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Provider Training event are now available. Training materials include PowerPoint presentations...
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Long term and post-acute care centers can take steps today to comply with the recent ban on triclosan, the most commonly used soap active ingredient....
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized new rules for both the Prospective Payment System (PPS) and the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM)...
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Numerous media outlets have covered the news that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has changed the Five-Star ratings for thousands of nursing...
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The Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Arlington Connection have published VHCA-VCAL President and CEO Keith Hare’s letter to the editor denouncing the recent attack ads those...
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Are you still on the fence about applying for a National Quality Award? AHCA/NCAL research demonstrates that Silver and Gold recipients have superior performance in...
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Provider Magazine reports the Centers for Disease Control has (CDC) has released the second of its four-part, web-based training series for clinicians, which instructs "on...
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the Nursing Home Compare (NHC) website with staffing data from the first quarter of 2018....
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In response to the recent attack ads targeting members, VHCA-VCAL President and CEO Keith Hare wrote a letter to the editor to the Chesterfield Observer,...
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A Florida-based plaintiffs’ firm has begun running negative ads in various news outlets across the state targeting member nursing centers. If your center is the...
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CMS is hosting a 2-day training program on the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) on July 31-August 1. Although the in-person event...
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CMS has provided notifications to facilities that were determined to be out of compliance with Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) requirements for...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) will continue its new series of provider conference calls on care coordination under CCC Plus. The next call...
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You can now access a webinar recorded on July 16 on the Patient-Drive Payment Model– An Overview, AHCA Priority Comments, and Outlook for the Final...
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We’re proud of the fact that 69 VHCA-VCAL members are active winners of an AHCA-NCAL National Quality Award. Have you been thinking about applying, but...
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that starting in July 2018 it will post the number of hours worked by non-nursing...
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Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports are now available; visit the Spotlights and Announcements webpage for a list of quality measures based on quarterly data....
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In an effort to promote the interoperability of health information in the post-acute care (PAC) sector and across the entire care continuum, the Centers for...
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In comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on June 25, AHCA emphasized its key concerns with the proposed new Skilled Nursing...
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the final version of the revised policies on the immediate imposition of federal remedies. The...
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Analysis of SMART data from 78 surveys conducted between December 1, 2017 and February 28, 2018 show that the top cited F-Tag is F-Tag 880-Infection...
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The Augusta Free Press covered the news that nursing centers have partnered to help one another during disasters under the Long Term Care Mutual Aid...
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The CCC Plus Care Management Unit of the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) will be sponsoring twice monthly conference calls starting July 10. These...
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Virginia improved its state ranking in the quarterly prevalence of antipsychotic use for long stay residents moving from 23rd to 20th for the fourth quarter...
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CMS will host a national webinar for emergency preparedness (EP) providers on topics and questions related to the new CMS EP Rule, the 1135 waiver,...
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In the past weeks, several members have noted unusual outputs from the CMS Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) tools. Since then, AHCA has been in contact...
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Virginia Attorney General (AG) Mark Herring was among a group of 17 state AGs who recently wrote to CMS to say that federal oversight of...
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VHCA-VCAL has been made aware of multiple Medicare Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) audits underway in Virginia. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid...
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Virginia Premier CEO Linda Hines has provided VHCA-VCAL with a letter outlining the steps it is taking to resolve the remaining nursing facility payment issues...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has released the 2019 Medicaid nursing and specialized care rates, which take effect on July 1, 2018. The...
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Gov. Ralph Northam has signed the fiscal year (FY) 2019-2020 budget, setting the stage for the inflationary adjustments for nursing center and specialized care services...
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VHCA-VCAL is aware that at least one CCC Plus managed care organization (MCO) has issued an addendum to its provider agreement and appears to have...
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[caption id="attachment_91408" align="alignright" width="300"] Click to enlarge image[/caption] Nursing Home Compare is currently displaying an icon (see image) meant to signal the nursing home has reported...
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After protracted debate that largely centered on whether the Commonwealth should extend Medicaid coverage to adults aged 19-64 who meet certain income limits under the...
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Register your staff today for Introduction to Activity Management in Long Term Care! This five-day course offered exclusively by VHCA-VCAL will give your activity director...
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On May 16 skilled nursing center members should have received their LTC Trend Tracker Quarter 2 Top-Line Publication. This valuable LTC Trend Tracker resource is...
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In response to feedback from VHCA members during the biweekly claims processing conference calls about paper claims being rejected on the front end and not...
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VHCA-VCAL submitted comments to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) as the agency requested comments in advance of potential revisions to the CCC Plus...
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Have you been wondering what F-Tags are being cited under the Requirements of Participation? Recent upgrades to SMART, our Survey Management and Analysis Resource Tool,...
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Andy Kramer, MD, writes in the May issue of Provider Magazine that for providers, "this is the time for putting the pedal to the metal...
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Although the managed care organizations (MCOs) in the CCC Plus program paid over $120 million in April to catch-up on the backlog of unpaid claims...
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This week Humana provided initial information regarding its final reconciliation process for CCC (Dual Demo) claim issues. Humana reports that 22 entities have outstanding claims...
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Who would you call if your community needed to evacuate? Do you have the contacts and connections you need with your local hospitals or other...
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On April 27, CMS issued a proposed rule outlining proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Medicare payment updates and proposed quality program changes for Skilled Nursing...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an update to the provider training module on the Long Term Care Survey Process (LTCSP). Updates...
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Nursing centers in Virginia have seen an increase in citations in recent months because they did not provide written notice to the resident’s representative when...
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As a result of the project to resolve unpaid CCC Plus claims in March, the six managed care organizations (MCOs) processed $128 million in nursing...
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On April 25, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published new Five-Star ratings that include Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) staffing data on its Nursing...
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AHCA/NCAL is excited to launch the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Predictor Tool, available exclusively to skilled nursing center members through LTC Trend...
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On April 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted a Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Matters article and an associated program manual transmittal...
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Skilled Nursing News spoke with providers and state officials about their roles in shaping Medicaid and Medicare managed care policies. Cleopatra Kitt, director of special...
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On April 6 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued guidance on the transition to using the Payroll-Based Journal staffing measures on Nursing Home...
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Since Gov. Ralph Northam signed HB 879 into law on March 23, 2018 surveyors from the Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) can again conduct...
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Data collected for the first year of the SNF VBP program, which will impact payment starting on Oct. 1, 2018, has already been collected by...
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As the starting point for the April 11 special session on the state budget, Gov. Ralph Northam introduced the same budget proposed in December by...
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On March 13, AHCA/NCAL announced new goals as part of its nationwide, multi-year initiative to further improve quality in long term and post-acute care centers...
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Six years ago we laid out a bold plan to improve the quality of care in our long term and post-acute care centers and communities....
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An Oklahoma-based management company that owns a skilled nursing facility recently paid a $142,000 settlement for employing a licensed practical nurse who was excluded from...
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Virginia continues to see improvement as CMS tracks the use of antipsychotics for long-stay residents. Virginia’s quarterly prevalence of antipsychotic use for long-stay residents is 15.2%;...
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The National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and Quality Assurance Performance Improvement is hosting a conference call on March 20 on the Phase 2 changes...
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The Board of Nursing has published a final regulation amending the name tag requirement for nurses. The regulation now specifies that a nurse's name badge...
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CMS will be upgrading the Juniper Gateways and the client software currently used by the QIES user groups who remotely log into CMSNet for required...
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As we shared with nursing center members on March 8, VHCA-VCAL has worked closely with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to find a...
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Are you signed up to use the electronic plan of correction process (ePOC) to receive your CMS-2567s electronically and submit your POCs electronically? The ePOC...
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On February 28, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) changed the survey domain methodology of the Five-Star rating system. In the previous...
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The National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and Quality Assurance Performance Improvement is hosting a conference call on March 20 on the Phase 2 changes...
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“Please don’t go it alone if you are having difficulty with CCC Plus,” Tammy Whitlock, DMAS Division Director for Integrated Care advised VHCA-VCAL members at...
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On Thursday, the House of Delegates and Senate approved their respective budget bills setting the stage for them to head to a conference committee to...
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Are you taking advantage of what LTC Trend Tracker can do for you? Trend Tracker is a powerful members-only tool that can help your organization better...
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The 2018 National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) Planning Guide and Product Catalog is now available online. You can use this guide to gear up to...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced it has identified a calculation error for the three assessment-based quality measures reported on the...
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As a reminder, PBJ data that your center collected from October 1 – December 31, 2017 must be submitted by February 14, 2018. Now is a good time...
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Follow these quick links to documents and resources to help you navigate the new Long Term Care Survey Process (LTCSP), including the latest update to...
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The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) website now includes information for providers looking for Healthcare Coalition contact information you may need for your emergency preparedness...
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Kathaleen Creegan-Tedeschi, Director of the Long Term Care Division of the Office of Licensure and Certification shared data on the top 10 citations at Virginia...
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It’s time to submit your Quality Award Application! The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, based on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance...
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On January 24, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data for the third quarter of the calendar year...
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On January 22, 2018, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) published final regulations implementing legislation passed during the 2016 and 2017 General Assembly sessions. The...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Department of Social Services (DSS) have asked VHCA-VCAL to remind providers about their obligations related to reportable...
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As a reminder, PBJ data collected by nursing centers from October 1 – December 31, 2017 must be submitted by February 14, 2018. Now is a good time to...
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As we informed you earlier this month, Congress adjourned for 2017 without enacting legislation to address what is often referred to as Medicare "extender payment...
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VHCA-VCAL members’ nursing and assisted living centers care for amazing individuals. Two-dozen residents are profiled in the 2018 Faces and Stories in Virginia’s Long Term Care...
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VHCA-VCAL continues to hear from members that claims adjudication under CCC Plus has been inconsistent and slow, in varying degrees among the six managed care...
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Each year the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) collects wage data from nursing centers, which is used in the calculation of annual inflation factors...
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We want to hear from you about how Phase 2 of the Requirements of Participation (ROP) and the new Long Term Care Survey Process are...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services has asked VHCA-VCAL to share the following message regarding emergency procedures related to screening requirements and transportation. Emergency procedures...
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Registration is now open for the January 30 education program, Lessons Learned from 2017 Surveys Are Valuable in the New Blended Survey Process, in Richmond. ...
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Misuse of antibiotics contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Practicing proper antibiotic stewardship to reduce inappropriate and misuse of antibiotics will help to...
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Since Congress adjourned for 2017 without enacting legislation to address the Medicare "extender payment policies," including the Part B therapy cap exception process, these policies...
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On December 22, 2017 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new Survey and Certification (S&C) Memorandum addressing the instances in which...
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Kaiser Health News (KHN) is reporting that the Trump Administration has issued guidelines easing civil monetary penalties (CMPs) levied against nursing facilities. In a statement...
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Under Phase 2 of the Requirements of Participation (ROP) new requirements that went into effect on November 28 include the facility assessment, behavioral health requirements,...
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Provider Magazine reports on suggestions from experts shared during the recent Provider’s Twitter chat, "Depression and the Holiday Blues." Experts from AHCA recommended providers find...
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If you have not submitted your most recent 2567 report and OLC cover letter to SMART, please forward these items to Mary Chiles. Our Survey Management and...
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The Central Virginia Healthcare Coalition has developed job aids to assist providers with implementation of the final rule on emergency preparedness, which took effect in...
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Calling all Administrators! NAB (National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards) is creating a National CE Registry that will be the first of its kind and...
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It takes dedication and commitment to deliver high-quality care. The journey to quality improvement is no different. Continue on this path and apply for a 2018...
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On November 30, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized major changes to the mandatory post-acute bundling programs. These large-scale demonstrations were created...
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We are continuing to work through claims issues with the six managed care organizations (MCOs) under CCC Plus since the program went live in August. ...
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a notice announcing that most employers must electronically report injury and illness data through the Injury Tracking Application (ITA) beginning on...
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On November 24 the Survey and Certification Group (S&C) at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued two memos that further delay enforcement...
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AHCA will host the final webinar in its Emergency Preparedness series for this year on November 21 at 2:00 pm. The webinar will include an...
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VHCA-VCAL is collaborating with the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association to bring together our members to talk about how to improve care transitions and reduce...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published the new Long Term Care Survey Process (LTCSP) Initial Pool Care Areas, specifically, the interview...
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The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is thrilled to announce, "Celebrating Life's Stories" as the 2018 theme for National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW), formerly...
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The Residents Rights and Medicare/Medicaid Notification posters are now available at no charge to VHCA-VCAL members in five languages: English, Spanish, S. Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese,...
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AHCA is undertaking a significant research project and needs your help. The association wants to learn more about your facilities and the margins under which you...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a webinar on the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program on November 16...
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Registration opened this week for a series of regional meetings across the state in December for skilled nursing facility members and hospitals to discuss their...
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As a reminder, nursing centers need to comply with the final rule on emergency preparedness which takes effect on November 16, 2017. We have gathered...
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We have become aware that providers are having difficulty with claims processing one of the CCC Plus managed care organizations (MCOs), Optima Health. Because Optima currently...
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On November 1, the Department of Medical Assistance Services released the Official Consensus Medicaid Forecast. Of immediate concern, DMAS has identified a funding shortfall of...
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On November 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data to the public through files posted online. These files...
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On October 27 CMS issued two new survey and certification (S&C) memos. The first memo requests feedback on draft revisions to the civil monetary penalty...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued provider training module on the long term care survey process. The new survey process takes...
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U.S. News and World Report has issued its annual list of “Best Nursing Homes” across the country. To help you respond to questions you may...
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Do you know what your calendar year (CY) 2015 30-day rehospitalization rate was? The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published this data,...
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VHCA-VCAL members represent the long term care profession on a number of state boards and stakeholder groups. These boards and groups rely on the subject...
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The October News Brief from the Board of Long-Term Care Administrators includes updates on the following topics: Drug Take-Back Day – October 28, 2017 Pending Regulatory...
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VHCA-VCAL has partnered with Virginia’s hospitals to discuss how to reduce preventable hospital readmissions. VHCA-VCAL and the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) will host three...
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October 28 is the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The initiative aims to provide a safe, convenient,...
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In an update issued earlier this month, CMS has posted Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Baseline Performance Data (October 2017). The data includes...
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Cil Bullard, the State RAI/OASIS Coordinator, has provided guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on three questions about correct MDS coding...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has asked VHCA-VCAL to share two updates with providers. First, beginning next week the agency will be substituting...
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With flu season soon upon us, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has shared tips and advice to make sure your staff, residents, and patients...
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AHCA/NCAL is offering members new toolkits to help them prepare for the emergency preparedness requirements that take effect on November 16. Check out these customizable...
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Some AHCA/NCAL members have been contacted by one or more of the three entities which hold copyrights for music: BMI, SESAC, or ASCAP. These contacts,...
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National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) has announced the launch of NABVerify, the home of NAB’s Continuing Education (CE) Registry service as...
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Texas Health Care Association President and CEO Kevin Warren wrote a recent op-ed for The Houston Chronicle detailing the difficult decision making process long term...
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A new Survey and Certification (S&C) memorandum describes how Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data will be accessible to the public beginning on November 1. The memo,...
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On September 1, CMS released a memorandum to State Survey Agency Directors announcing that the Emergency Preparedness Training is now available. All surveyors are required...
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Long term care providers and our entire profession join in expressing our deepest sympathy to the families of the residents who lost their lives recently...
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This week we are featuring Building Prevention Into Every Day Practice, the last resource in a 10-part series designed by AHCA to support members in...
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Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) providers were recently notified of two issues affecting the SNF QRP Review and Correct Reports & Confidential Feedback Reports. One issue...
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As Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) continues its phased roll-out across the state, we wanted to provide two additional updates for the program this...
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This week we are featuring the AHCA Quality Initiative Series, part nine of a 10-part resource series designed by AHCA to support members in reducing...
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The Central Region went live for coverage under Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus on September 1. Next up will be the Western/Charlottesville Region on October...
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With last week’s news that more than 45 nursing facilities and 49 assisted living communities were successfully evacuated in Texas because of Hurricane Harvey and...
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This week we are featuring Culture Change to Reduce Hospitalization Using Person-Centered Care, part eight of a 10-part resource series designed by AHCA to support...
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September 2017 marks the annual observance of National Preparedness Month. National Preparedness Month will focus on planning, with an overarching theme "Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead....
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Looking for information about the Jimmo Settlement Agreement? Visit the new Jimmo Settlement Agreement webpage for background on the settlement, links to resources, and FAQs....
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You can help the Virginia Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Advisory Group as it works to increase healthcare worker influenza vaccination for the 2017-2018 flu season. Take...
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This week the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a memo with preliminary results from an ongoing review of potential...
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Effective September 1, the Central Virginia region will go live for coverage under the roll out of the mandatory Medicaid long term services and support...
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This week we are featuring Reducing Hospitalizations through Palliative Care, part seven of a 10-part resource series designed by AHCA to support members in reducing...
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In a final rule issued on July 31, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized some key components of the Skilled Nursing...
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On August 23, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a notice explaining the agency has discovered technical coding problems adversely affecting the SNF...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has posted new resources on its Requirements of Participation website related to long term care surveys: the LTC...
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This week we are featuring Considerations for End of Life Care, part six of a 10-part resource series designed by AHCA to support members in...
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If you have not submitted your most recent 2567 report and OLC cover letter to SMART, please forward these items to Mary Chiles. Our Survey Management and...
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We have reactivated the Issue Log first set up in 2015 to help track and resolve member problems with the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus...
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Do you use special "tunable" light-emitting diode (LED) lights at your skilled nursing center? Brown University's Center for Long-Term Care Quality & Innovation (Q&I Center),...
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AHCA has prepared an update on the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP), which includes background information on the program, 2018 and 2019...
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Advance Directives: Making the Tough Choices, part five of a 10-part resource series designed by AHCA to support members in reducing rehospitalizations, is now available. ...
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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During the August 22-23 education program, Bringing the New Requirements of Participation into Focus, we’ll help you make sense of the new F-Tags and the...
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The latest resource in AHCA’s series to support members in reducing rehospitalizations is Sharing Advanced INTERACT Success. In this informative session, participants will have the...
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new electronic portal, the Injury Tracking Application (ITA), is now accessible for employers to file web-based reports of workplace...
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On July 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final rule for fiscal year (FY) 2018 Medicare payment rates and quality...
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CMS has notified Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) that are non-compliant with SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) requirements for Quarter 4 of CY 2016, which will...
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This week we are featuring Elements for Effective Care Transitions, Ideas and Resources for Post-Acute Care Providers, part three of a 10-part resource series designed...
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In our continuing effort to keep you up-to-date on the developments related to the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Program and the launch of CCC Plus,...
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The Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) has interpreted a bill passed during the 2017 General Assembly session in such a way that some nursing...
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In an MLN Matters message issued on July 14, 2017, CMS reminds skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that failing to submit required quality data to Medicare...
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This week we are featuring Discharge to Community: Creating Seamless Transitions, part two of a 10-part resource series designed by AHCA to support members in...
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S&C Memo 17-34-All provides important information on how acceptable Plans of Correction (POCs) should be formatted. The Delaware Health Care Facilities Association has shared its...
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Ascend Project Support Services requested that we notify you that it will now be offering providers in Virginia another option for resolving their assessment questions...
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In our continuing effort to keep you up-to-date on the developments related to the launch of the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus program, we have...
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On July 25, CMS will host a call to discuss the revised interpretive guidance for nursing centers and the new survey process effective November 28,...
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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. ...
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[caption id="attachment_80223" align="alignright" width="300"] Click picture for a larger view.[/caption] As August 1 approaches, we are inching closer to the beginning of the Commonwealth Coordinated...
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On July 7, the Survey and Certification Group (S&C) at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued memorandum S&C: 17-37-NH, "Revision of Civil...
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CMS has announced that the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Review and Correct reports are now available on demand in the CMS...
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New laws related to eligibility for employment in nursing centers or assisted living facilities, vaccine administration, TB testing, family councils, employment in assisted living, penalties...
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Sign up today for CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule: From Assessment to Readiness, our August 1 education program. To comply with the CMS emergency preparedness rule...
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The New York Times ran an article on June 24, Medicaid Cuts May Force Retirees Out of Nursing Homes, that profiled residents of Dogwood Village...
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Register now for the AHCA webinar Section GG of the MDS – Successful Submission Tips for the SNF QRP Functional Process Measures. This webinar will provide...
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Recent reports have highlighted the fact that Legionnaires’ disease kills 25% of those who are infected while getting treatment or residing in a health care...
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AHCA has prepared a summary of the Emergency Preparedness Guidance CMS issued last week. Providers will need to comply with the final rule by November...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has announced that all six health plans participating in CCC Plus, the mandatory Medicaid managed care delivery system,...
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On June 13 VHCA-VCAL staff Keith Hare, April Payne, and Matt Mansell traveled to Philadelphia to meet with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services...
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CMS has announced that the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Review and Correct reports are now available on demand in the CMS...
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CMS experts will share updates on the progress of the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes and Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement in a call...
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CMS released its Emergency Preparedness Interpretive Guidance (IG) on June 2. Surveying for compliance with the emergency preparedness requirements will not begin until November 15, 2017. Later...
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AHCA/NCAL is pleased that on June 5 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued proposed revisions to the current arbitration agreement requirements for...
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On June 6, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) posted an updated Medicaid rate file for fiscal year 2018. As we have reported in...
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DMAS has informed VHCA-VCAL that the promised RUGs history/comparison reports are now available through their eDoc Management system for each nursing center. To access your...
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Following our May 23 Requirements of Participation (ROP) Phase 2 education program, we wanted to share with you the AHCA Playbook and checklist shared by presenters Lyn...
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CMS experts will share updates on the progress of the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes and Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement in a call...
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Register now for the AHCA webinar Section GG of the MDS – Successful Submission Tips for the SNF QRP Functional Process Measures. This webinar will...
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CMS extended the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) quarterly reporting deadline from May 15, to June 1, 2017. In mid-May many providers...
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Virginia’s Board of Long-Term Care Administrators has announced that the online application process for administrators, AITs, and Preceptors has gone live. Now, prospective Nursing Home...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has scheduled a series of town halls and webinars in preparation for the launch of the Commonwealth Coordinated...
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Coming out of the 2017 General Assembly Session, VHCA-VCAL estimated that SFY 2018 nursing center Medicaid reimbursement would increase, relative to SFY 2017, by approximately...
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On May 12 CMS issued a Survey and Certification (S&C) Memo on substandard quality of care (SCQ) and clarification of notice before transfer or discharge...
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VHCA-VCAL has partnered with the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) to present a free webinar on May 17 at 10:00 am, Home Is the...
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With upcoming submission deadlines for the Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) and the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Report Program (SNF QRP) on May 15, 2017 we’ve...
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On May 8 the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) issued a provider memo on the new direct and indirect operating base rates and an...
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CMS is tracking the progress of the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes by reviewing publicly reported measures. The official measure of the Partnership...
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If you have not submitted your most recent 2567 report and OLC cover letter to SMART, please forward these items to Mary Chiles. Our Survey...
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The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database file, which reflects...
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The Virginia Board of Long-Term Care Administrators has shared its monthly news brief. Read the latest from the Board on current regulatory actions and news...
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On April 27, CMS issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year 2018 update. ...
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The 2017 Nursing Home Salary and Benefits study is currently underway. The study is conducted and published by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) in...
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Need help promoting your upcoming National Nursing Home Week (NNHW) events? Take advantage of the toolkit AHCA has prepared to help you observe The Spirit...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has produced a new Quick Reference Guide for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). This guide includes frequently asked questions, information...
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On April 21, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued S&C: 17-25-NH on the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ). In the memorandum, CMS notes...
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The submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) quality reporting measures (QRP) is approaching. MDS assessment data for October-December (Q4) of calendar year (CY)...
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Beginning on Saturday, April 22, nurse aide candidates will not be able to register or take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam as...
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Is your facility prepared to meet the new emergency preparedness requirements by the November 15, 2017 compliance date? Register now for the April 27 CMS...
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In a Skilled Nursing Facility Open Door Forum last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) encouraged providers to submit their Payroll-Based Journal...
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Last month we shared best practices on keeping residents safe from the panelists at the February education program on surveys. Take a look at more...
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CMS and AHCA are offering webinars in the coming months on the emergency preparedness regulations that take effect on November 15, 2017. Due to an...
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Are you thinking ahead to what you need to do to comply with Phase 2 of the Requirements of Participation (ROP) in November? Join us...
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“It always seems too early, until it's too late," is the theme for this year’s National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), which this year will be...
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On March 28 the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Advisory Committee met to be briefed on the latest developments related to the shift to managed care...
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In response to questions about providers’ obligations to conduct training and testing exercises for the emergency preparedness rule that takes effect on November 15, 2017,...
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On March 10 CMS published a revised version of Survey and Certification (S&C) Memo 17-19-NH explaining that the agency was issuing a re-release of Appendix...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is moving forward with the switch from the current RUG-III 34 grouper to the RUG-IV 48 grouper for...
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Cindi Jones, Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), has issued a memo to providers on the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus program,...
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This year’s National Nursing Home Week theme is all about your center’s spirit and sense of community for residents, volunteers, and staff alike. Acts of...
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As we reported last week, the Virginia Board of Health (BOH) was scheduled to act on the regulations governing the use of electronic monitoring in...
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April 4-5 MDS Basic Workshop – Presented by Judy Wilhide Brandt | VHCA-VCAL Office April 25 *Just Announced* Assisted Living: New Standards and New Laws...
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The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database file, which reflects...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a call on the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program on March 15...
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Regulations governing the use of electronic monitoring in nursing centers have been fast-tracked for review and approval by the Virginia Board of Health at its...
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At the February 28 education program on survey trends, Kathy Creegan-Tedeschi Director of the Division of Long Term Care at the Office of Licensure and...
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The award-winning, evidence-based Bathing Without a Battle training on person-centered bathing for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is now accessible online free of...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is urging nursing centers to complete the required annual Medicaid wage survey as soon as possible. Don’t forget,...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced two changes to the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system that will make it easier for providers...
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In mid-January, you should have received notice from the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) about the annual Medicaid wage survey participating nursing centers are...
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This week CNN issued a lengthy report detailing cases of sexual assaults in long term care facilities. While none of the incidents mentioned in the...
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A bill introduced by Del. Kathy Byron (R-Campbell County), HB 2101, would amend the definition of “charity care” used in the context of certificate of...
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The 2017 National Nursing Home Week Planning Guide and Product Catalog from AHCA is now available online. In the coming weeks, hard copies will be...
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On February 9 the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) announced it has signed contracts with six managed care organizations (MCOs) to provide managed long...
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The Health and Human Resources subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee left HB 2337 in committee. The bill would have created a two-phase process to...
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This week the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate passed their respective amendments to the biennial budgets. At this juncture, it appears that nursing centers...
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The Senate Education and Health subcommittee on Certificate of Public Need (COPN) held a hearing this week on COPN reform measures and opted to have...
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CMS has added an indicator to the Nursing Home Compare website that shows whether a facility has complied with the PBJ reporting requirement. If the...
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The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) announced this week that the CCC Plus implementation schedule had slipped one month from July 1, 2017 to...
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AHCA will host a webinar on Thursday, February 9 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm on the new emergency preparedness final rule impacting Skilled Nursing Facilities...
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DMAS has announced that the protest period on the CCC Plus contract has ended. The agency has resumed activity on the contract procurement as of...
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Send us your questions and feedback on how the new Requirements of Participation (ROP) are affecting your center. Beginning on February 2, VHCA-VCAL will begin...
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The Joint House and Senate Working Group on Certificate of Public Need (COPN) Reform endorsed a set of principles to guide COPN reform discussions this...
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To mitigate the negative impact of the nursing center rebasing, Del. John O’Bannon (R-Henrico) and Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant (R-Henrico) introduced budget amendments on behalf of...
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Thursday, January 26, is the application deadline for the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. Applications and payments must be submitted using the online application and...
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AHCA/NCAL recently received clarification from CMS on the changes in the new Requirements of Participation (ROP) related to reporting abuse, neglect, exploitation or mistreatment, including...
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The latest S&C Memo from CMS advises that long term care providers should consider cyber security when developing and reviewing their emergency preparedness plans. S&C...
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Facilities that have been Medicare-certified for at least one year are eligible to participate in a pilot study on two Transfer of Health Information and...
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Facilities that have been Medicare-certified for at least one year are eligible to participate in a pilot study on two Transfer of Health Information and...
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Honoring Choices Virginia, an initiative to build system change and education around advance care planning, has issued a report on ways to support electronic sharing...
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In an update to providers, vendors, and software developers, CMS has issued an updated errata V2.00.2 posted for the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) Data Submission Specifications V2.00.0....
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DMAS has notified CCC Plus stakeholders that following its notice of intent to award the Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) contract, the agency...
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The CDC recently released a report on the influenza vaccination coverage among health care personnel for the 2015-2016 influenza season. The Advisory Committee on Immunization...
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On December 22, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) issued its “Notice of Intent to Award” Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) contracts to...
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We have posted two new resources on the Requirements of Participation webpage to assist you with implementation of the new regulations. The first is clarifying...
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Certain criminal convictions may prevent registration of medication aides in Virginia. Criminal convictions may also prohibit employment in certain health care settings, including nursing centers...
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On December 20, 2016, CMS issued the final rule implementing the Advancing Care Coordination through Episode Payment Models mandatory bundled payment program. This rule implements...
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Next month Humana will change its billing procedures under the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Program for dates of service on and after January 1, 2017. ...
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VHCA-VCAL provided detailed comments and posed numerous questions to DMAS in response to the agency’s comment period on the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus draft...
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CMS issued a Survey & Certification Memorandum (S&C Memo 17-12-NH) on Dec. 9, which clarifies there will be no enforcement of the new provision prohibiting...
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CMS has made a video presentation available from the September 14 MLN Connects Webcast on the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP). Learn about the reporting...
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The application portal for the 2017 Quality Award Program cycle is now open. The application deadline for Bronze, Silver and Gold is January 26, 2017...
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AHCA/NCAL has prepared a white paper, Olmstead v L.C. - What Nursing Care Centers and Assisted Living Communities Need to Know, which compiles the most...
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Practicing hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent infections. Cleaning your hands can prevent the spread of germs, including those that are...
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Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Marissa Levine issued a clinicians’ letter this week that included an update on influenza activity across the state. She recommends that...
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You have until December 31 to take advantage of special pricing for an Umbrella License with the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC) to offer movies...
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AHCA has developed a summary of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule for 2017 issued in November. The final rule updated Medicare Part...
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The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) and the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) have introduced two new training programs....
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To avoid liability, health care entities need to routinely check the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) to ensure that new hires and current employees are...
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AHCA has developed several new resources to assist members with implementing the Requirements of Participation (ROP). The newly posted materials on ahcancalED include Action Briefs,...
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Hospital and Healthcare Compensation Service is again conducting industry compensation surveys for assisted living and multi-facility long term care operators. By participating in the study,...
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An issue has been identified with MDS 3.0 assessment records submitted to the ASAP (Assessment Submission and Processing) system beginning October 1, 2016, through November...
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On November 10, 2016, CMS, through its Quality Technical Support Office, e-mailed a notice to all providers related to Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) submissions. CMS has...
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On Friday, November 18, 2016, CMS will provide access to online training for surveyors and others on the requirements of participation (ROP) final rule addressing...
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VHCA-VCAL hosted over 240 individuals at the November 14 program, Jump Starting Phase 1 of the Requirements of Participation. The program comes at a critical...
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CMS has issued an advance copy of the revisions to the State Operations Manual (SOM) Apprendix PP and F-Tags to conform them to the new...
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Join over 220 other VHCA-VCAL members at Monday’s education program to prepare for the implementation of the new CMS Requirements of Participation. Register now! Jump...
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Is your center planning to apply for a 2017 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award? If so, be sure to submit your intent to apply before the November 17 deadline...
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Virginia has seen a 31.6 percent decrease of long-stay nursing center residents receiving antipsychotic medications since the fourth quarter of 2011. Nationally, there has been...
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In S&C: 17-06-NH CMS provides an overview of the results of the FY 2015 MDS Focused Surveys, outlining the background on MDS Focused Surveys and...
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A judge has ruled that the provision banning predispute arbitration agreements in the new CMS Requirements of Participation final rule should not take effect on...
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Effective for dates of service beginning January 1, 2017, Humana will process all Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) claims on the Humana claims processing platform. Current...
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You don’t want to miss the November 14 program, Jump Starting Phase 1 of the Requirements of Participation, where you will learn what you need...
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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has issued a new Nursing Home Antimicrobial Stewardship Guide. The guide offers step-by-step instructions and materials to...
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Join the LTC Trend Tracker team on November 11 from 1:00-2:00 pm for a Live Question and Answer session. This session coincides with AHCA/NCAL’s launch...
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Growing Older: Providing Integrated Care for an Aging Population is a new publication from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health...
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The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) has published a document, Provider Compliance Tips for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Inpatient Services, that clarifies the distinction between skilled...
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The deadline for nursing centers to gather and submit Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data for the first mandatory quarter is November 14, 2016. As you get...
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Register today for the November 14 education program to help you start implementing the changes your center may need for Phase 1 of the new...
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Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Marissa J. Levine has announced new regulations for disease reporting and control, which went into effect on October 20, 2016. ...
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AHCA has developed a Playbook and checklist that provides a high level overview of the changes CMS made to the long term care facilities Requirements...
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In a new memo to state survey agencies, S&C Memo 17-03-NH, CMS announced its initial plans for online training for regional offices, state survey agencies,...
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CMS will host a call for long term care facilities on the final rule reforming the requirements of participation on October 27 from 1:30 pm...
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The Long Term Care Division of the Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) sent VHCA-VCAL two advisories this week to forward to members about the...
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AHCA has developed a document summarizing the final rule changing the CMS Requirements of Participation (ROP) for nursing facilities. Visit the VHCA Requirements of Participation...
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An archived recording of the AHCA member briefing on the new final rule covering the CMS Requirements of Participation for nursing centers is available for...
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Not-for-profit skilled nursing facilities may be eligible to draw down federal funds to help pay for internet service and upgrades. Learn more at the meeting...
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Predispute Arbitration Clauses Banned AHCA Member Briefing Scheduled for October 3, 4:30 pm Yesterday CMS released an early inspection version of the final Requirements of...
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“Movie Night” is a time honored tradition at an assisted living community or skilled nursing center. AHCA/NCAL has announced a formal agreement with the Motion...
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The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is conducting a survey to learn about the level of understanding of person-centered, trauma-informed care in the aging...
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Register now for an upcoming CMS call on effective care transitions between long term and post-acute care settings, highlighting transitions that involve residents with dementia. ...
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On September 14, 2016 from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, CMS will host a webcast on the reporting requirements for the new Skilled Nursing Facility...
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A new interim final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will significantly increase the civil monetary penalty (CMP) amounts...
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On September 14, 2016 from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, CMS will host a webcast on the reporting requirements for the new Skilled Nursing Facility...
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Virginia Beach will be home to a new 120-bed facility providing skilled nursing care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, as well as short-term rehabilitative care to...
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In 2014, the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program implemented a recertification policy that impacts ALL current and previous recipients. Under this policy, Bronze and Silver Quality...
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CMS has provided a state-by-state list of the percentage of nursing centers that have not yet registered for the Payroll Based Journal (PBJ). While the...
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Updated specifications for the Skilled Nursing Facilities Quality Measures (SNF QM) User’s Manual to accompany the MDS 3.0 for the Percent of Patients or Residents...
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Analysis of data from 2567 reports through August 20 shows a significant increase in citations resulting in Substandard Quality of Care and Immediate Jeopardy. This...
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database...
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AHCA has analyzed the new CMS Five-Star data published on Nursing Home Compare on August 10, 2016. Among VHCA member nursing centers, 79 percent saw...
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To help members ensure they have the policies and procedures in place to protect residents’ privacy, AHCA/NCAL has provided a social media guidance document for members, offering...
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Although the submission deadline for the first mandatory quarter of staffing data collection (July-September 2016) is not until November 14, 2016, now is the time...
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Protecting resident privacy and prohibiting mental abuse related to photographing or recording residents in any manner that would demean or humiliate them is the subject...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the federal fiscal year 2017 (FY17) Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) final...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a revision to its Survey & Certification (S&C) Memo 16-31-NH updating Chapter 7 of the State Operations...
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has signaled it will not publish new Five-Star rankings on its Nursing Home Compare (NHC) website this...
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We learned that last Friday, July 22, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an advanced interim revision to the State Operations...
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a lengthy proposed rule aimed at expanding bundled payments in the Medicare program. The new rule,...
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VHCA-VCAL staff has learned that one of the 10 national Infection Control Pilot Surveys occurred this month in Virginia. Thanks to the facility, we were...
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Don’t forget to take advantage of the opportunity to review your Five Star Preview Reports, which were made available last month. To access these reports,...
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Last year when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced proposed revisions to the requirements of participation for nursing homes, the agency placed...
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The mandatory Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) reporting requirement to collect and electronically submit direct care hours starts July 1, 2016 - making daily staffing strategies critical...
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On July 12 from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a call on the new reporting...
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CMS published Transmittals 156 and 157 on June 10, 2016 with an immediate effective date. No regulatory changes were observed but each of the referenced...
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As social media usage has exploded over the last decade and its misuse has become an issue in the media and for policymakers, AHCA/NCAL has...
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Online registration for the 2016 VHCA-VCAL Convention and Trade Show is now open. Visit www.vhca.org/2016convention for event highlights, hotel information and full descriptions of the...
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Accurate MDS coding has never been more important as CMS moves from paying for volume to value. Judy Wilhide Brandt, RN, BA, RAC-MT, will update...
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This five-day, 45-hour course is an intensive and hands-on program to help individuals who work in the activities field build their knowledge and skills to...
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Beginning on July 1 nursing facilities must begin tracking their staffing data as part of the new Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) staffing data submission requirements from...
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Earlier this month, we reported that the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) had fixed the eligibility system’s patient pay calculation/communication issue that had caused...
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Accurate MDS coding has never been more important as CMS moves from paying for volume to value. Judy Wilhide Brandt, RN, BA, RAC-MT, will update...
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This five-day, 45-hour course is an intensive and hands-on program to help individuals who work in the activities field build their knowledge and skills to...
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Following up on a question raised at the recent meeting of the Nursing Facility Advisory Committee (NFAC), the Virginia Board of Nursing has clarified that...
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Fire safety code updates for long term facilities issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in May will take effect on July...
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Registration is now open for VHCA-VCAL’s Introduction to Activity Management in Long Term Care course. This five-day, 45-hour course is an intensive and hands-on program to help...
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At the most recent joint meeting of the Quality of Care and Regulatory Committees, members discussed elopement and the need for administrators to understand how...
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It’s a big year for MDS changes! Accurate MDS coding has never been more important as CMS moves from paying for volume to value. Join...
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Registration is now open for VHCA-VCAL’s Introduction to Activity Management in Long Term Care course. This five-day, 45-hour course is an intensive and hands-on program to help...
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The mandatory deadline for the compliance with the Payroll Based Journal Reporting (PBJ) requirement is only weeks away, on July 1. All VHCA-VCAL members have...
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Registration is now open for VHCA-VCAL’s Introduction to Activity Management in Long Term Care course. This five-day, 45-hour course is an intensive and hands-on program to help...
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Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced that a site in Fauquier County has been selected for a planned 120-bed veterans care center. The 120-bed facility will...
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On June 16 in Fairfax, Russell Phillips & Associates will review recent disasters and best practices to improve your center's ability to prepare for, respond...
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Registration is now open for VHCA-VCAL’s Introduction to Activity Management in Long Term Care course. This five-day, 45-hour course is an intensive and hands-on program to help...
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Registration is now open for VHCA-VCAL’s Introduction to Activity Management in Long Term Care course. This 5-day, 45-hour course is an intensive and hands-on program...
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Mark your calendars now for the 2016 VHCA-VCAL Convention and Trade Show at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA on September 11-14, 2016....
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Registration is now open for VHCA-VCAL’s Introduction to Activity Management in Long Term Care course. This 5-day, 45-hour course is an intensive and hands-on program...
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Remember to take advantage of the voluntary testing window to register for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) electronic staffing data collection program,...
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New analysis of 31 nursing center survey results from 2016 is available as part of VHCA’s SMART program. Mary Chiles of Chiles Healthcare Consulting who...
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As media outlets and even some members of Congress have turned their attention to inappropriate use of cell phones and social media by long term...
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As long term and post-acute care professionals are about to celebrate National Nursing Home Week, May 8 to 14, 2016, and May is Older Americans...
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Researchers at Brown University are conducting a short, 8-question, multiple choice, national, anonymous survey to learn about nursing center and assisted living policies regarding camera...
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On May 4, 2016 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the final rule to update health care facilities’ fire protection guidelines to...
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Winning a statewide award for excellence in programming or events can be a great boost to your center’s marketing efforts! Make sure your center is...
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Take part in AHCA’s webinar on April 29 at 11:00 am titled “How I Plan on Succeeding with Payroll Based Journal”. Providers who have successfully...
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A recording of this week’s webinar on the Long Term Care Mutual Aid Plan (LTC-MAP) detailing the project and site visits is available online. To...
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Join us for a webinar on April 26 at 2:00 pm to learn more about the Long Term Care Mutual Aid Plan (LTC-MAP) site visit...
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Nursing centers can now access their new Five-Star Ratings through the CMS QIES system. This report includes a preview of data for each center on...
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The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) announced changes to the Pressure Ulcer Staging System including change in terminology from pressure ulcer to pressure injury. The...
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A team of nationally-recognized long term care researchers from Brown University and Case Western Medical Center is undertaking a national quality improvement study to evaluate...
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Earlier this week the General Assembly returned to Richmond for its reconvened session to consider Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s actions on the budget and other bills....
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AHCA is hosting a webinar on April 29 at 11:00 am titled “How I Plan on Succeeding with Payroll Based Journal”. Providers who have successfully...
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Join us for a webinar on April 26 at 2:00 pm to learn more about the Long Term Care Mutual Aid Plan (LTC-MAP) site visit...
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AHCA is hosting a webinar on April 29 at 11:00 am titled “How I Plan on Succeeding with Payroll Based Journal”. Providers who have successfully...
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Surveyors have told us that they will be looking closely at infection control and antibiotic resistance in the coming year. The Centers for Medicare and...
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The American Health Care Association was quick to respond to an announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice on the creation of 10 Regional Elder...
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The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Division of Certificate of Public Need (COPN) has provided data and analysis related to nursing home use rates by...
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With recent media and congressional attention being paid to instances of social media abuse of nursing and assisted living residents, we wanted to remind you...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a new Survey and Certification Letter: Exit Conferences - Sharing Specific Regulatory References or Tags...
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Employers, including nursing centers and assisted living communities, are required to post a copy of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Form 300A summarizing...
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Take advantage of the voluntary testing window to register for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) electronic staffing data collection program, also known...
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Virginia Commissioner of Health Dr. Marissa Levine, along with VHCA-VCAL President and CEO Keith Hare and LeadingAge Virginia Interim President and CEO Bob Gerndt, have...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has provided an inventory of nursing facility beds in the Commonwealth as of December 31, 2015. The spreadsheet includes...
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AHCA’s 2016 National Nursing Home Week® (NNHW) specialty products are now available for purchase. This year’s theme with logo, It’s a Small World with a...
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Effective December 1, 2015, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) no longer accepts paper Uniform Assessment Instruments (UAI). DMAS has completed the transition from...
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House Bill (HB) 343 would require that the Board of Health include in its regulations a requirement for nursing centers to provide a full refund...
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