Legislative and Agency Corner

• Registration Open for AHCA’s PDPM Academy 2020 Subscription
• New Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON)
• Three ACA Taxes Repealed
• AHCA Issues Statement on Staffing Bill

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 2020 Events

• ID/DD Congressional Hill Fly-In Event – February 26, 2020
• Quality Summit – March 9-11, 2020  
• Independent Owner’s Conference – March 11-13, 2020

2020 Health Care Observances

February 2020 marks, among other observances, National Cancer Prevention Month, American Heart Month, AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month and National Wear Red Day (February 7).  The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.

Happy Holidays from the AHCA/NCAL Team!

Coalition Letters to Congress on the Medical Expense Deduction

AHCA/NCAL recently signed onto AARP driven House and Senate letters to members of Congress around the medical expense deduction. Specially, the letters urge support for the Medical Expense Savings Act (S. 110/H.R. 2073), which is bipartisan legislation that would make permanent the 7.5 percent threshold for the medical expense deduction. The letters also ask to support an extension of the 7.5 percent threshold in an end-of-year legislative package. Without action, 4.4 million Americans with high medical costs will face an unexpected tax increase when they file their returns in the coming months. For more than 75 years, Americans with high health care costs have been able to deduct medical expenses from their taxes. For the millions of Americans who annually take this deduction, it provides important tax relief which helps offset the costs of acute and chronic medical conditions. This includes costs associated with long-term care, assisted living, and nursing homes.

CMS Speaker confirmed for 2020 AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit

The Opening Keynote Speaker for the 2020 AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit has been confirmed. David Wright currently serves as the Director of the Quality, Safety & Oversight Group within the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  Under Wright’s leadership, the Quality, Safety & Oversight Group provides oversight of national accrediting organizations, certifies providers and suppliers for Medicare reimbursement, and shares important quality of care information to the public through various CMS websites, including Quality Certification Oversight Reports, the Integrated Surveyor Training Website, and Nursing Home Compare.  Wright sees this Group’s work as a primary driver for improving health care quality in the United States, which can only be accomplished through meaningful collaboration with all who are impacted by its programs.

Don’t miss Wright’s session and more than a dozen additional education sessions at the 2020 AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit, March 9-11, 2020 in Texas.  Attendees can earn up to 11.5 CEs and will benefit from valuable networking opportunities with other professionals dedicated to quality in assisted living, long term, and post-acute care.  Reserve your spot before the holidays and register today. The housing deadline for this event is February 7, 2020.