Monday, December 21, 2020
AHCA/NCAL Launches Vaccination Campaign
The digital toolkit includes a checklist of ideas, template letters to use with stakeholders, sample social media, and media prep material. AHCA/NCAL will continue to update these materials and as new ones as needed, so be sure to check back for the latest resources!
AHCA/NCAL Sponsors National Effort to Honor WWII Veterans
Dream Flights is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring America’s veterans and seniors living in retirement and long-term care communities. During a 20-minute Dream Flight, veterans experience the freedom and exhilaration of soaring 1,000 feet in the air in an iconic, open-cockpit-biplane.
The tour begins on Aug. 1, 2021 and runs through Sept. 31, 2021. Dream Flight pilots, who primarily fly for major airlines and are active duty or retired military veterans themselves, will volunteer their time to fly WWII veterans in the country's largest fleet of restored Stearman bi-planes.
Mid-campaign, Sept. 6, 2021, Dream Flight crews will rendezvous at the 50th National Stearman Fly-in in Galesburg, Ill., to honor WWII veterans and fly formation for the crowd. After, the crews will return to their home bases, stopping in towns along the way to continue honoring WWII veterans with flights.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII, only an estimated 100,000 will be alive in 2021 -- the youngest: 95. Dream Flights are always free. Anyone can nominate a WWII veteran for a Dream Flight by visiting www.dreamflights.org/honor. Sponsorship and donation opportunities are available by visiting www.dreamflights.org/honor.
2021 AHCA NCAL National Quality Award Deadline Next Month
2021 Bronze, Silver and Gold Quality Award applicants are encouraged to access free resources to help with a smooth writing and submission process.The Criteria Seriesare videos that applicants can access for free that cover application categories and technical writing for each award level.
Completing a successful application takes time to prepare. Don't wait. Gather your team and work on your application today!
All applications and application fees must be submitted in the Quality Award portal by 8 pm Eastern on January 28, 2021. Late applications and payments will not be accepted.
Observation Stay Use and Medicare Beneficiaries in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods
This month, an editorial entitled, “Unintended Consequences of Observation Stay Use May Disproportionately Burden Medicare Beneficiaries in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods,” was published (Volume 95, Issue 12, P2589-2591, December 01, 2020) in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The editorial author’s findings include that “Medicare beneficiaries residing in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods (as defined by area deprivation index) are more likely to have an observation stay, have a repeated observation stay within 30-days, and experience long-term reobservation (which they define as multiple repeated observation stays within 30-days). They find that after adjusting for demographics, morbidity, and hospital characteristics, patients who live in the most disadvantaged areas (the top 15% by area deprivation index) had 13% higher odds of having a repeated observation stay within 30 days. Roughly 14% of the 16,400 observation stays with at least one 30-day reobservation also had multiple reobservations during that period. There was substantial geographic variation in these trends, and the level of neighborhood deprivation was positively associated with the odds of long-term reobservation.” You can read the full editorial here.
We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative
AHCA/NCAL began
a social media advocacy initiative last 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.
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.
Coronavirus
Visit the AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus website daily for the latest information that we have to share with long term care providers about COVID-19. As concerns arise with the emerging coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working nationally with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure our long term care communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.
2021 Health Care Observances
January 2021 marks, among other observances, National Glaucoma Awareness Month and National Volunteer Blood Donor Month. The 2021 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.
Monday, November 23, 2020
CMS Releases Alert Regarding Holidays
Resources to Help 2021 Quality Award Applicants
HUD Section 232 Program and COVID Webinar
Consistently Train, Test and Document Your Assisted Living Staff Infection Control Competencies
AHCA/NCAL has a new online program in conjunction with Healthcare Academy® that incorporates a digital competency platform to allow for documentation of live skills demonstration. The digital checklists included in this program have been designed by industry experts using evidence-based practices to help assisted living staff members become competent and confident in their infection control knowledge and skills. More information can be found here.
We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative
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.
Coronavirus
Visit the AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus website daily for the latest information that we have to share with long term care providers about COVID-19. As concerns arise with the emerging coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working nationally with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure our long term care communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.
Legislative and Agency Corner
- OSHA Releases Frequently Cited Standards Related to COVID-19 Inspections
- Medicare Fee-For-Service Estimated Improper Payments Decline by $15 Billion Since 2016
- AHCA/NCAL Supports H.R. 8702 - The Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020
- NHSN Updates COVID-19 Pathway Modules- Nov. 2020
- CDC Updates Testing and Management Considerations and Reinfection Criteria
2020 Health Care Observances
December 2020 marks, among other observances, American Diabetes Month (ADM) and National Family Caregivers Month. The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
US Department of Labor Provides Relief for SNFs Furnishing Care to Veterans
In the sub regulatory policy announced in this directive, the OFCCP voiced concern that the current expiration of the VAHBP enforcement moratorium, in addition to the lack of a regulatory exemption for VAHBP providers, may cause health care providers to decide against contracting with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, thereby reducing access to health care, including long term care, for protected veterans and their families. Therefore, in this policy, the OFCCP will exercise its prosecutorial discretion to extend the moratorium as it applies to VAHBP providers by two years, until May 7, 2023, which the OFCCP believes will provide sufficient time to consider whether a national interest exemption for VAHBP providers is warranted.
Furthermore, the OFCCP assures that while the moratorium serves as an exemption to enforcement of affirmative obligations and being neutrally scheduled for a compliance evaluation, it does not relieve VAHBP providers as to enforcement of nondiscrimination obligations or being subject to discrimination complaint investigations.
White House Announces Vaccination Distribution Program for LTC Residents
On Friday, October 16, the White House announced the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program—a national vaccine distribution program for long term care residents.
The COVID-19 vaccine
will likely become available in phases over the coming months. To prepare, the
federal government has partnered with CVS and Walgreens to
distribute and administer the vaccine to residents in long term care
facilities. This program is free of charge and covers all of the reporting
requirements associated with the vaccine. Vaccination for health care workers
will be handled by states, and likely take place in early phases of
distribution.
Starting
on Monday, October 19, long term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted
living communities, ICF/IIDs and other congregate settings for older adults)
will have two weeks to register with the CDC on how they want to receive and
administer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Nursing homes will be able to register
through the NHSN website, while assisted living communities and other congregate
settings can register through an online survey. Additional information and
sign-up details can be accessed
here.
2020 Health Care Observances
November 2020 marks, among other observances, National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.
Due November 12: Submit Your 2021 AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Intent to Apply Today
The National Quality Award portal is now open, and accepting Intent to Apply submissions for the 2021 program year.
We hope you’ll consider applying for this important award. Participating in the program has many benefits:
- It provides a proven framework that organizations can use to make improvements in any clinical, quality or other operational function (i.e. staff engagement, customer satisfaction, hospital readmissions).
- It prepares organizations to meet regulatory requirements and navigate a changing market.
- It serves as a team building activity to engage staff across all levels of the organization.
- Organizations gain external recognition, serving as a marketing resource for consumers, referral sources and other key stakeholders.
- Participants receive customized feedback with their top strengths and improvement areas.
Key 2021 Program Dates:
- November 12, 2020 – Intent to Apply Deadline
- January 28, 2021 – Application and Fee Deadline
If you’re interested in other ways to get involved, consider becoming an Examiner for the 2021 program cycle. Examiners play a significant role in reviewing Quality Award applications and impacting quality improvement in organizations across the country.
Get started today by visiting ahcancal.org/qualityaward! For questions, email qualityaward@ahca.org.
Coronavirus
Visit the AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus website daily for the latest information that we have to share with long term care providers about COVID-19. As concerns arise with the emerging coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working nationally with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure our long term care communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.
Monday, September 21, 2020
CMS to Update County Data for COVID-19 Testing Weekly and Allow Use of State or County Data in Updated Methodology
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has updated
the Excel file that flags COVID-19 positive test rates in
counties. CMS modified the method for classifying a county as green, yellow, or
red and expanded the measure to cover results over a 14-day period in each
county instead of seven days. SNFs should use the color classification provided
in the file.
The revised methodology results in some red counties with rates >10% being reclassified to yellow:
- Green = Counties with test percent positivity <5.0% or with <20 tests in past 14 days
- Yellow = Counties with test percent positivity 5.0%-10.0%; OR with <500 tests and <2,000 tests/100k and >10% positivity over 14 days
- Red = >10.0% and not meeting the criteria for “Green” or “Yellow”
Now Available: Payment Resource for COVID-19 Testing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has
released information to help states, nursing facilities, and other providers
better understand the sources of Medicare and Medicaid coverage and payment for
COVID-19 testing. Among the resources is the Coverage and Payment for
COVID-19 Testing in Nursing Facilities flow chart, which details testing coverage for nursing
facility residents. AHCA/NCAL has developed a summary of
this resource.
Join Your Colleagues - 71st AHCA/NCAL Virtual Convention Begins October 8
The unrelenting challenges of the pandemic have hit the long term and post-acute care sectors especially hard. Over the last several months, providers have fought tirelessly to provide quality care and protect those that are most vulnerable to COVID-19.
The Virtual Convention & Expo taking place in October will unite providers from all across the country to reflect, learn, and share at this critical time.“Now more than ever we need all levels of our profession to come together to discuss and share best practices, hear and learn from experts, and recognize the heroic work that many have done during this unprecedented time,” says AHCA/NCAL President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Parkinson.
Taking place from October 8 – 31, the Virtual Convention & Expo will offer 24 days of access to:
- 14th Annual NCAL Day
- On-demand and live streaming sessions
- Networking lounges
- Moderated discussions
- Q&As with speakers and panelists
- Expo Hall with more than 70 business partners
- Awards and Recognitions
Over the 24 days of convention, you will have access to education sessions in 17 tracks of learning on key topics relevant to you. There will be a wide range of exciting speakers attending.
So while we may not be gathering in person, the 71st AHCA/NCAL Virtual Convention & Expo is packed with the value, convenience, and connection you’ve come to expect and deserve.
Get details and register today at AHCAConvention.org.
We Need You For Our Social Media Initiative
AHCA/NCAL began a social media advocacy initiative last 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.
Coronavirus
Submit Your 2021 AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Intent to Apply Today
Portal Now Open!
The National Quality Award portal is now open, and accepting Intent to Apply submissions for the 2021 program year.
We hope you’ll consider applying for this important award. Participating in the program has many benefits:
- It provides a proven framework that organizations can use to make improvements in any clinical, quality or other operational function (i.e. staff engagement, customer satisfaction, hospital readmissions).
- It prepares organizations to meet regulatory requirements and navigate a changing market.
- It serves as a team building activity to engage staff across all levels of the organization.
- Organizations gain external recognition, serving as a marketing resource for consumers, referral sources and other key stakeholders.
- Participants receive customized feedback with their top strengths and improvement areas.
Key 2021 Program Dates:
- November 12, 2020 – Intent to Apply Deadline
- January 28, 2021 – Application and Fee Deadline
If you’re interested in other ways to get involved, consider becoming an Examiner for the 2021 program cycle. Examiners play a significant role in reviewing Quality Award applications and impacting quality improvement in organizations across the country.
Get started today by visiting ahcancal.org/qualityaward! For questions, email qualityaward@ahca.org.
Articles and Resources of Interest
- An Update on Potential “False Positive” Tests – Discordance Between Antigen and PCR Tests
- How to Become a CLIA-Certified Assisted Living Facility & Receive Abbott Test Kits
- AHCA/NCAL and Members Recognize Importance of Flu Vaccine
- Navigating Resident Outings, Medical Appointments, and Everything in Between
2020 Health Care Observances
October 2020
marks, among other observances, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be
found here.
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
CMS to Return to Normal Survey Process
The Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Quality, Safety &
Oversight (QSO) memo to states August 17 instructing them
to return to normal survey process as soon as resources in the state allow and
in accordance with states' reopening plans. It also provides guidance on how to
resolve pending enforcement actions suspended as a result of prior QSO memos on
March 23, 2020 and June 1, 2020 that suspended some survey enforcement actions
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CMS intends to resolve suspended enforcement cases and provide guidance for closing them out going forward starting today. This process involves four components that are described in the QSO memo:
Per CMS, questions about a specific enforcement cycle may be addressed with the specific CMS location.
On March
23, 2020, CMS issued the QSO 20-20-All memorandum, which limited survey
activity to focused infection control surveys. On June 1, 2020, CMS issued the
QSO 20-31-All memorandum that provided survey re-prioritization guidance to
transition to more routine oversight and survey activities. This latest memo
instructs states to restart all normal surveys as possible.
CMS intends to resolve suspended enforcement cases and provide guidance for closing them out going forward starting today. This process involves four components that are described in the QSO memo:
- Expanding the Desk Review policy for Plans of Corrections (POCs);
- Processing enforcement cases that were started BEFORE March 23, 2020;
- Processing enforcement cases that were started ON March 23, 2020, THROUGH May 31, 2020; and
- Processing enforcement cases that were started ON OR AFTER June 1, 2020.
CMS is also issuing updated guidance for the re-prioritization
of routine state survey agency (SA) Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
(CLIA) survey activities, subject to the SA’s discretion, in addition to
lifting the restriction on processing CLIA enforcement actions, and issuing the
Statement of Deficiencies and Plan of Correction (Form CMS-2567) for CLIA
citations.
Providers with questions about past enforcement actions suspended during the pandemic should contact their state survey agency for guidance as there are many scenarios that may not be fully addressed by this memo.
Providers with questions about past enforcement actions suspended during the pandemic should contact their state survey agency for guidance as there are many scenarios that may not be fully addressed by this memo.
Per CMS, questions about a specific enforcement cycle may be addressed with the specific CMS location.
- Long-Term Care questions should be addressed to: DNH_Enforcement@cms.hhs.gov
- CLIA questions should be addressed to: LabExcellence@cms.hhs.gov
General questions for AHCA should be sent to COVID19@ahca.org.
Your Top-Line with NHSN COVID-19 Data Released
On Wednesday, August 12
the 2020-Q3 Top-Line for skilled nursing centers was released. For the first
time, it allows facilities to compare their staff and resident COVID-19 case
data to other nursing centers in their county and state.
The publication summarizes
COVID-19 case data required by CMS to be submitted to the National
Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) by nursing centers. The data released by CMS is updated every Thursday afternoon.
For additional details,
including resources to access LTC Trend Tracker click
here.
Available Now! 2021 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Applications
Application packets for the 2021 National Quality Award
Program are now available online. The Quality Award portal opens September 17, 2020 when
applicants can begin to submit their payment for the intent to apply and begin
to write or submit their applications in the portal.
Consider applying for this prestigious award.
Participating in the program has many benefits including:
- Providing a proven framework that organizations can use to make improvements in any clinical, quality or other operational issue (i.e. staff engagement, customer satisfaction, hospital readmissions).
- Preparing organizations to meet regulatory requirements and navigate a changing market.
- Serving as a team building activity to engage staff across all levels of the organization.
- Organizations gaining national recognition
- Serving as a marketing resource for consumers, referral sources and other key stakeholders.
- Participants receiving customized feedback with their top strengths and improvement areas.
Please visit the Bronze, Silver, or Gold application pages to download your respective award
level application materials and to learn how your center should begin
preparing.
Key 2021 Program Dates:
- September 17, 2020 – Quality Award Portal opens
- November 12, 2020 – Intent to Apply Deadline
- January 28, 2021 – Application and Fee Deadline
If you’re interested in other ways to get involved,
consider becoming an Examiner for the 2021 program
cycle. Examiners play
a significant role in reviewing Quality Award applications and impacting
quality improvement in organizations across the country. Examiner program
applications will be available on September 17, 2020.
Get started today by visiting ahcancal.org/qualityaward! For questions, email qualityaward@ahca.org.
71st AHCA/NCAL Virtual Convention Offers Essential Opportunity for Providers to Unite
The unrelenting challenges of the pandemic have hit the long term and
post-acute care sectors especially hard. Over the last several months,
providers have fought tirelessly to provide quality care and protect those that
are most vulnerable to COVID-19.
The Virtual Convention & Expo taking place in October will unite providers from all across the country to reflect, learn, and share at this critical time.
“Now more than ever we need all levels of our profession to come together to discuss and share best practices, hear and learn from experts, and recognize the heroic work that many have done during this unprecedented time,” says AHCA/NCAL President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Parkinson.
Taking place from October 8 – 31, the Virtual Convention & Expo will offer 24 days of access to:
Get-Together Thursdays on October 8, 15, and 22 will feature the live
sessions, moderated discussions, networking lounges, National Quality Award
ceremony, and much more.
Over the 24 days of convention, you will have access to education sessions in 17 tracks of learning on key topics relevant to you. There will be a wide range of exciting speakers attending.
So while we may not be gathering in person, the 71st AHCA/NCAL Virtual Convention & Expo is packed with the value, convenience, and connection you’ve come to expect and deserve.
Get details and register today at AHCAConvention.org.
The Virtual Convention & Expo taking place in October will unite providers from all across the country to reflect, learn, and share at this critical time.
“Now more than ever we need all levels of our profession to come together to discuss and share best practices, hear and learn from experts, and recognize the heroic work that many have done during this unprecedented time,” says AHCA/NCAL President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Parkinson.
Taking place from October 8 – 31, the Virtual Convention & Expo will offer 24 days of access to:
- 14th Annual NCAL Day
- On-demand and live streaming sessions
- Networking lounges
- Moderated discussions
- Q&As with speakers and panelists
- Expo Hall with more than 70 business partners
- Awards and Recognitions
Over the 24 days of convention, you will have access to education sessions in 17 tracks of learning on key topics relevant to you. There will be a wide range of exciting speakers attending.
So while we may not be gathering in person, the 71st AHCA/NCAL Virtual Convention & Expo is packed with the value, convenience, and connection you’ve come to expect and deserve.
Get details and register today at AHCAConvention.org.
We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative
AHCA/NCAL
began a social media advocacy initiative last 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.
Coronavirus
 |
Articles and Resources of Interest
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