Happy Holidays from All of Us at AHCA/NCAL

Emergency Preparedness CMS Final Rule Summaries Available

The California Association of Health Facilities and the American Health Care Association have put together a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ICF/IID) Emergency Preparedness CMS Final Rule summaries that can be found here.  The rule was released on Friday, September 16, 2016, and can be found here.  Members impacted by the rule include SNFs, Nursing Facilities and ICF/IIDs.  This final rule is not applicable to Assisted Living Providers.

FCC Rural Health Care Program Funding Application Process and the Ability to Partner with a Consortia

The Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015 was passed by Congress and enacted into law on June 22, 2016.  The Act authorized eligible rural not for profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to participate in the Rural Health Care Program (RHCP) to assist in payment for broadband expansion and expenses to facilitate and deliver health care services.  It also mandated the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow applications by eligible SNFs within 180 days of enactment, which is effectively Jan. 1, 2017.  The FCC’s Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the universal service fund program associated with the RHCP. 
   
According to a recent press release from USAC, RHCP funding requests reached a historic high of $377.64 million in Funding Year (FY) 2015, and demand may exceed the $400 million funding cap in FY2016 (July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017).  To fairly distribute future RHCP funding if the funding cap is reached, the FCC just announced additional filing window periods for FY2016.  Because of the 180 day delay of enactment included in the legislation, SNFs will technically not be able to apply for funds from the RHCF program until Jan. 1, 2017.  Therefore, the first filing window period for SNFs  will be from February 1 - April 30, 2017.  Given the potential of applications reaching the funding cap, eligible SNFs are strongly encouraged to submit their funding requests for the FY ended on June 30, 2017 as soon after Jan. 1, 2017 as possible.

Notwithstanding the delay of enactment for SNFs, there is much preparatory work that must and can be done in advance of formal application of funds.  For questions about the filing window periods, you can contact the RHCP Help Desk via email or at (800) 453-1546.  Suggested first steps for SNFs that are eligible and would like to apply for funds from the RHCP include:

• Become familiar with the overview of the RHCP and determine eligibility by visiting the USAC web site.
• Become familiar with the specific steps required in the application process.
• Sign up on USAC’s listserv to receive ongoing updates of activity and timeline requirements.

Required preparatory steps can be time consuming.  Some SNF management may wish to hire a consultant with expertise in the FCC’s application process if there is interest in submitting an application for either FY2016 or FY2017.  Another option is to join an already existing consortia to apply for and obtain funding.

In that regard, The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society (Good Sam) – an AHCA member – has completed a consortia request which was recently approved by USAC.  It would be a rather simple and seamless process to join to be part of the Good Sam consortium.  If any eligible provider is interested in exploring this option, you may contact Dan Holdhusen, Good Sam’s Director of Government Relations.  Dan is familiar with the USAC application process and testified on behalf of SNF providers this past spring at a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing in support of the Rural Health Care Connectivity Act.

Finally, feel free to also contact AHCA’s Senior Director of Not for Profit and Constituent Services, Dana Halvorson, who has been closely following this matter if you have any questions.

Mark Your Calendars – AHCA’s 2017 ID/DD Hill Fly-In Event Date Set!

AHCA’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) Residential Services Providers annual Hill Fly-In event will occur on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the AHCA offices in DC. This important event is free to attend.  Breakfast and a boxed lunch will be provided to registrants. Congressional speakers are being invited, a legislative update will be provided, and Hill visits will follow in the afternoon.  AHCA will provide one-pagers and talking points for registrants to take to the Hill.

If you would like to attend, please contact AHCA’s Senior Director of Not for Profit & Constituent Services, Dana Halvorson.  If you have any questions whatsoever, please don’t hesitate to let Dana know.  AHCA hopes to see you at this important event!

NFP Grassroots Advocacy – Facility Visits over Recess

Gary Kelso, AHCA’s NFP Council Chair, encourages AHCA’s NFP providers to participate in our grassroots advocacy efforts in 2017.  AHCA would like to help you get facility tours and in-district meetings set up over future recess days.  Please provide your name, facility address, and email address and we will craft the invite and send it to you to send to the Congressional office.  The four brief steps for a successful facility tour visit can be found here.  Please feel free to contact Matthew Smyth and Dana Halvorson who can help you with all of the logistics.

AHCA’s NFP Council member, Van Moore (pictured to the right), meets with Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR-2, pictured on the left) at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles.  Van discussed with the Congressman issues impacting AHCA/NCAL members, including the observation stays issue. 

NFPs Engaging in the Political Process

For more information on how NFPs can engage in the political process, please review this webinar and handout from Wiley Rein, LLP.  Both documents will give members of 501(c) 3 tax exempt organizations an overview of what they can and cannot do in regards to lobbying and political activity.  For issue briefs, talking points and more, visit AHCA’s advocacy page.

U.S. Congressional Calendars

As you are planning your visits with members of Congress and their staff in Washington, D.C., or in your district, the Congressional calendars will be of assistance to you.  The U.S. House of Representatives calendar for the 115^th Congress, first session, can be found here.  The tentative U.S. Senate schedule for 2017 can be found here.

AHCA/NCAL Advocacy App

If you haven’t already heard about it, then we wanted to alert you to a great app that allows you to keep abreast of AHCA advocacy efforts.  Among other things, it provides important talking points, issue briefs and features that allow you to take action.  It will be useful not only to you, but serves as a great way for providers to weigh in.  You can get the app by clicking on the appropriate black box below.

 

Download our advocacy app!

   

AHCA’s State of the States Clearinghouse

AHCA members have access to key Medicaid and Medicare information through the State of the States Clearinghouse.  The AHCA State of the States Clearinghouse is a one stop shop for key Medicaid and Medicare information impacting the long term care profession.   

This resource provides valuable data, including:

• Overview of the demographic landscape;
• State-specific nursing center occupancy and ownership breakouts; 
• Certificate of Need requirements for nursing centers and state licensure requirements; 
• State data on the cost of care for long term services and supports;  
• State data on the total number of Medicare enrollees; 
• Data on state Medicare Advantage plan enrollees and comparisons to the national average; 
• State and national Medicaid expenditure data;
• State Medicaid rates, costs and shortfalls;
• And other significant state-specific data related to payment structure, managed long term services and home and community based services coverage.

AHCA will continue to provide the most up-to-date information through the Clearinghouse and share new data/resources as they become available.  Also be sure to visit the AHCA Medicaid Page to learn more about the program and to access additional AHCA members-only Medicaid resources.

We’ve Got You Covered! AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions Website

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) now offers a variety of comprehensive insurance programs to meet your business needs. Backed by the strength of our membership, AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions programs are designed with exclusive member savings and discounts for both the fully-insured or self-insured members.

The program offers health insurance options, group and voluntary benefit packages, an aggressive Stop-Loss insurance program as well as cloud based HR platforms that will help members achieve savings and greater efficiencies on HR services within your company, while also tracking and reporting on key Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements.  For more information, please contact AHCA’s Dave Kyllo at dkyllo@AHCA.org and visit the AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions website.  

Articles and Resources of Interest

• Most Common Health Problems for People Aging with Physical Disabilities – naric.com
• State Medicaid Integration Tracker© - nasuad.org
• Health Care for Veterans: Where Things Stand & Next Steps – allhealth.org
• Adults 65 and Older Need a Flu Shot – cdc.gov
• End-of-Life Care: Alzheimer's Caregiving Tips – nia.nih.gov
• Brain Scans May Improve Dementia Diagnosis, Treatment – healthfinder.gov
• Poor Sense of Smell May Signal Alzheimer's Risk – healthfinder.gov

Legislative and Agency Corner

• Federal regulations keep nursing homes from contracting with VA to provide long-term care – stripes.com
• Long Term/Post-Acute Care and Assisted Living Sectors Applaud Walden’s Election as Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman – ahcancal.org
• Long Term/Post-Acute Care and Assisted Living Sectors Applaud Nomination of Chairman Price as HHS Secretary – ahcancal.org
• Long Term/Post-Acute Care and Assisted Living Sectors Applaud Nomination of Seema Verma to Lead CMS – ahcancal.org
• Parkinson Extends Post-Election Congratulations – ahcancal.org
• 2016 Report to Congress on Health Information Technology Progress – dashboard.healthit.gov
• FHA Financial Picture Improves, Despite Reverse Mortgage Losses – reversemortgagedaily.com
• New CDC Pandemic Influenza Web Site – cdc.gov

AHCA/NCAL Learning Management Website

AHCA/NCAL has recently launched a comprehensive online Learning Management System to support the training needs of its members. The website, known as ahcancalED, contains a wealth of information including educational programs, webinars, instructional videos, training courses, and other tools. It is available free to AHCA/NCAL members.

"We created ahcancalED for our members who do not have the time or budget to develop the newest in-service training," said Dr. David Gifford, AHCA/NCAL Senior Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs. "Our objective also was to provide the best and latest educational tools, especially as CMS increases its regulatory requirements about staff training and competency in a number of areas. ahcancalED is designed to help individuals in our profession do a better job of caring for patients and residents and advance in their careers."

The information on ahcancalED is structured to make the online learning experience engaging, meaningful, and interactive for users. The fresh graphics and clearly defined sections within the site make it easy for users to navigate and find the information they need. The site also allows users to track their own learning progress.

Teams of experts from around the country working with AHCA/NCAL staff helped to create the content. "We will constantly be adding new programs and materials so that we can keep the site fresh and dynamic," said Gifford. "We'll continue to look for new ways the site can grow and serve our members. It's a great value-added benefit and a tangible example of our commitment to enhancing quality."

ahcancalED can be accessed at https://educate.ahcancal.org/. Suggestions for content or other site enhancements can be submitted to the ahcancalED team at educate@ahca.org. AHCA/NCAL welcomes ideas that will help improve quality and strengthen the knowledge, skills and attitudes of staff in the long term and post-acute care community.

From the Blog of Josh Linkner

Noted on the Josh Linkner blog, “To Josh Linkner, creativity and innovation are the lifeblood of all human progress. As such, he’s spent his career harnessing the power of creative disruption.  His journey has been non-traditional at every step. As the founder and CEO of four tech companies, Josh built his businesses from a blank page into a combined value of over $200 million. As a hyper-growth CEO of over 20 years, he’s used innovative approaches to topple competitors, fight through adversity, and achieve at the highest levels.”  The bio section of Linkner’s blog goes on to include that, “Josh is an internationally-recognized thought leader and top-rated keynote speaker on innovation, creativity, reinvention, and hyper-growth leadership. His keynotes are focused on not only inspiring audiences, but also sharing actionable strategies to drive meaningful outcomes.”  Read some of Linkner’s blogs below.  In addition, you can view some of his keynote speaking addresses here.

• A Cunningly Creative Cannonball
• How a 5-Minute Ritual Can Fuel Your Success
• Symbols and Rituals
• 5 Personalities Your Company Needs
• Blowin’ in the Wind

The Power of Strong Habits

Dr. Bryan K. Williams notes on his blog that, “It all begins with a thought.  Thoughts turn into words, and words turn into behaviors, and behaviors turn into habits.  In fact, anything we consistently do will become a habit.  Napoleon Hill wrote that ‘Thoughts are things, and powerful things at that’.  It generally takes anywhere from 3-4 weeks of daily repetition to form a habit, but once it’s formed, it is very difficult to NOT do it.  The mind doesn’t know if it’s a good or bad habit.  Your mind just accepts whatever you feed it, and the habits ensue.  To deliver a consistently exceptional service experience, there must be habits that are hardwired throughout your entire team.”  The full blog version of “The Power of Strong Habits” article can be found here. 

Dr. Williams is a consultant, trainer, and author, who focuses on the areas of service excellence and organizational effectiveness.  He has spoken at numerous AHCA/NCAL events, and his passion is to serve others so they may better serve the world.  Here is a link where you can see some of Dr. Williams’ book recommendations on service, leadership and personal development.

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 2017 Events

AHCA/NCAL 2017 Quality Summit – March 6 – 8, 2017
AHCA/NCAL 2017 Independent Owner Leadership Conference – March 8 – 10, 2017
AHCA ID/DD Committee In-Person Meeting and Hill Fly-In Event – March 21 and 22, 2017 

2017 Health Care Observances

January 2017 marks, among other observances, National Blood Donor Month, National Birth Defects Prevention Month, Glaucoma Awareness Month, and Cervical Health Awareness Month.