Wednesday, October 23, 2019

New Population Health Management Summit for Long Term and Post-Acute Care Leaders

Join AHCA/NCAL and LTC/PAC providers, health plans, regulators, and investors for a two-day intensive on all the latest in population health management from December 9-10, 2019, at the InterContinental in Washington, D.C.

  • Discuss the ways in which PHM models are improving quality and outcomes while reducing costs
  • Learn new strategies to expand and improve your leadership capabilities in PHM
  • Network with peers and nontraditional partners
  • Gain a deeper understanding of CMS’ view of provider-led PHM efforts
You’ll learn from expert speakers and each other at this unique event. With a focus on leadership, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of PHM strategies that can take your organization to the next level.  Find out more about the summit and register today.

AHCA Has Your PDPM Education Solutions


The new payment system known as the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) took effect October 1 transforming the way skilled nursing facilities are reimbursed for Medicare Part A stays.  AHCA offers virtual training on PDPM and ICD-10 coding.
 
AHCA SNF members who did not attend an in-person PDPM Academy training hosted by an AHCA state affiliate earlier this year are encouraged to take AHCA’s Virtual PDPM TrainingIncluded with the virtual training is access to all materials on AHCA’s PDPM Academy. The PDPM Academy is where updates, tools, webinars and other supporting materials are housed. AHCA SNF members who attend the Virtual PDPM Training will also be able to join in free monthly PDPM Academy webinars hosted by AHCA. 

This training is available to AHCA SNF provider members only. The cost for the training – whether first time or repeated - is $350. The training has been approved for 8 NAB CE credits. 
Virtual ICD-10 Coding training is also available through AHCA and is equally important to PDPM success and bulk purchases are available.  There are two online trainings offered, including:

  • AHCA/AHIMA ICD-10 Training for PDPM – Coder is an in-depth course designed for SNF billing staff, MDS staff, Nursing and Therapy staff, and Admissions and Discharge staff.  The course contains seven modules and comes with 16 CNEs for nurses and 16 AHIMA CEs upon successful completion.  The cost is $499 for AHCA members and $599 for non-members. AHCA/AHIMA ICD-10 Training for PDPM – Coder:    ahcancal.org/icd10pdpmcoder
  • AHCA/AHIMA ICD-10 Training for PDPM – Non-Coder is a four-hour course developed for individuals who need to lead a successful PDPM transition and is intended for Administrators, DONs, and other management staff.  The course for non-coders comes with 4 CNEs for nurses, 4 AHHIMA CEs or 4.5 NAB approved CEs upon successful completion.  The cost is $199 for AHCA members and $249 for non-members. AHCA/AHIMA ICD-10 Training for PDPM – Non-Coder: ahcancal.org/icd10pdpmnoncoder
Members will need to login with their AHCA/NCAL usernames and passwords to register for any of these courses.  For assistance obtaining AHCA/NCAL usernames and passwords, please e-mail educate@ahca.org with your name and facility contact information. 

AHCA members can also access their facility's personal Top-Line PDPM report
here. This report is a snapshot of previous coding practices for ICD-Coding on MDS assessments. Use this step-by-step guide to access your reports.

Key Facts on Nursing Assistants Employed in Nursing Homes

PHI released a report last month entitled, “U.S. Nursing Assistants Employed in Nursing Homes: Key Facts (2019)According to the PHI website, the research brief “provides the latest annual snapshot of U.S. nursing assistants employed in nursing homes, including key demographics and a variety of wage and employment trends.  This year’s research found that 581,000 nursing assistants support older people and people with disabilities in nursing homes.”  The brief also includes that “nursing homes will need to fill nearly 680,000 nursing assistant job openings between 2016 and 2026.” More key takeaways on nursing assistants can be found in the brief here

Tools To Prevent and Address Resident to Resident Mistreatment


AHCA/NCAL’s Survey/Regulatory Community has developed two new tools and a resource list to support assisted living communities and nursing centers prevent and address reported incidents of resident-to-resident mistreatment. The new member tools include a post-incident checklist and a provider self-assessment, as well as a compiled list of AHCA/NCAL resources. While mistreatment may or may not meet the definition of abuse, it would include negative and aggressive physical, sexual, or verbal interactions between long-term care residents that is unwelcome and has high potential to cause physical or psychological distress in the recipient.

Last year AHCA/NCAL published additional tools, also developed by the Survey/Regulatory committee, to support
assisted living communities and nursing centers addressing adverse events. This new set of tools builds upon those resources. Members are encouraged to use and adapt these tools in a way that aligns with their unique culture, systems, and needs.

We thank the members of the Survey/Regulatory Committee for their hard work in developing these tools and hope you find them useful in improving organizations’ systems and responses to adverse events. Should you have any questions, please contact
educate@ahca.org

We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative

AHCA/NCAL began a new social media advocacy initiative earlier this year and is encouraging all members to get involved.  The effort focuses on improving the overall image of the post-acute and long term care profession by sharing positive stories and pushing back on pieces that attempt to tie all providers to isolated negative events.

AHCA/NCAL will be sending interested members tips for getting more involved on social media, best practices for posting content, sample posts, and a roundup of positive stories about the profession on a regular basis. Individuals who want to get involved should email socialmedia@ahca.org to get on the mailing list. 

The campaign also will include a rapid response to stories that are unfairly negative about the profession or do not accurately portray the reality of post-acute and long term care.  AHCA/NCAL hopes to build on these successes as the year continues. With thousands of buildings nationwide who touch the lives of millions of people, there is the chance to seriously affect the way the profession is viewed and treated by lawmakers and the media.

Articles and Resources of Interest


Legislative and Agency Corner


National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities


The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) holds a monthly call or webinar concerning topics of interest to those who work in the field of aging and disability.  One of the past calls focused on resources for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and their caregivers.  Information about future calls, and audio recording of previous ones, can be found here.

Upcoming 2019 Event


2019 Health Care Observances


November 2019 marks, among other observances, National Family Caregivers Month, National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, American Diabetes Month (ADM) and National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.  The 2019 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.