New Regulations Update

The revisions to the Adult Care Home regulations, which apply to all types of homes in Kansas were recently updated.  Click here to for an analysis of the changes.  The biggest change is the licensure fees. You will also notice the K.A.R. numbers have changed from 28...to 26.  This is for consistency throughout all of the regs.  These  changes are effective as of May 22, 2009.

The Kansas Center for Assisted Living is sponsoring an education session with Susan Fout on June 18th for review of the AL, RHCF, Home Plus regulations.  Click here for the brochure.

All of the regulations can be found at www.khca.org under members only section.  They were published in the May 7th and May 14th Kansas Register.

[ Return to top]

 
  KHCA Education Update

With the postponement of MDS 3.0 until October 2010, many staff members still need training on the MDS 2.0. KHCA has once again partnered with AANAC, the “Gold Standard” in MDS training to bring you the MDS 3-day certification course June 10, 11, and 12, 2009. The course will be held at the newly remodeled Holiday Inn Holidome in Lawrence conveniently located just off the Kansas Turnpike. Click here for the full course brochure. Make your room reservations today by calling 785-841-7077 or online at www.holidayinn.com/lawrenceks  use reference code AAN for the best KHCA rate.

The QIS Survey Process is still marching across Kansas – have you trained all of your staff yet? KHCA has partnered with Nursing Home Quality to bring more QIS training to the state. The Basics, instructed by veteran NHQ staffer Cindy Mason, will be offered June 16, 2009 in Topeka at the Holiday Inn Holidome 605 SW Fairlawn. Intermediate QIS, also instructed by Cindy Mason will offered June 17, 2009 at the same location.
Registrations are per person per day and include 6 continuing education hours for each training day. Click here for a complete brochure and registration form. Sleeping rooms are also available at the Holiday Inn by calling 785-272-8040. Be sure to identify yourself with KHCA for the best room rates.

Assisted Living Regulations have changed in Kansas and go into effect very soon. Join KCAL for a half day training in Topeka June 18, 2009 to discuss how the changes will affect your home. Featured presenters will be Susan Fout, RN and Patty Brown, RN from KDOA. Additionally, KCAL board members will add insight to “Best Practice” and open the floor for an interactive round table. Registration brochure

Tornado and Ice Storms and Flu Oh My!! Yes Tot, we are still in Kansas and it is time to PREPARE. Join KHCA/KCAL, KAHSA and KACE for a full day of Emergency Preparedness classes set up in a “Train the Trainer” format. This class will be offered in four locations across the state and is open to two staff members per facility or corporate office. Locations are
June 23, 2009 Garden City
June 24, 2009 Salina
June 25, 2009 Wichita
June 26, 2009 Lawrence

This training is free to providers thanks to a grant form the Kansas Department of Health and Environment but to attend, you must register online at the KS-Train website.
Click http://ks.train.org
Click Create Account and fill in the form. Once your account has been set up click Search by Course and enter 1016496
Select the Registration tab and the Register button.

Questions? Contact the KS-TRAIN helpdesk at helpdesk@kdhe.state.ks.us or call 785-296-5655.

KHCA/KCAL Calendar

AANAC MDS Certification Program
Brochure
June 10-12, 2009
Lawrence, Ks

Basic QIS
Registration Brochure
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Topeka – Holiday Inn

Intermediate QIS
Registration Brochure
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Topeka – Holiday Inn

New Assisted Living Regulations
Registration Brochure
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Topeka –

PREPARE Emergency Management Training
Registration Brochure
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Garden City – Fiesta Court Yard
PREPARE Emergency Management Training
Registration Brochure
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Salina – Ramada Inn
PREPARE Emergency Management Training
Registration Brochure
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wichita – Marriott
PREPARE Emergency Management Training
Registration Brochure
Friday, June 26, 2009
Lawrence – Holiday Inn Holidome

[Return to top]

 
  FY 2010 Proposed Rates and Methodology

Kansas Health Care Association submitted comments concerning the FY 2010 Rates and Methodology.  Keep in mind the budget as passed by the 2009 Legislature keeps the FY 2010 rates flat, continuing to use the 2005-2007 cost reports as the base year.  Click here to see the letter submitted to Dave Halferty.

[Return to top]

 
  The New Quality of Life Revision to LTC Surveyor Guidance

Quality of Life Revisions to LTC Surveyor Guidance-What Providers Need to Know!

Come to the Kansas Health Care Association Offices, 117 SW 6th Ave, Suite 200, for viewing of the webinars about the Quality of Life Revisions.

Topic:  (A) Making Choices and Adapting the Physical Environment
June 10th, 2009 ---11 am

Topic: (A) Feeling at Home
June 17th, 2009---11am

These events are free.  We would just like to have an RSVP if you plan on attending.  Call the office if you would like a seat.  785-267-6003

Click here to review revisions.

[Return to top]

 
  CMS Updates

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced a number of updates to it web site.    Five-Star provider preview reports were released May 20.  Nursing home providers can access that information through the MDS State Welcome pages that are available at the state services for the submission of MDS date. 
The Five-Star data will be added to Nursing Home Compare on Thursday, May 28.  For more information visit www.medicare.gov/NHcompare.

CMS has also updated the information under its FAQ section of the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) portion of its Web site. On May 19, CMS added answers to questions such as "Why is CMS using recovery audit contractors?" and "Who should providers contact with questions concerning recovery audit contractor communications?" For more information, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/RAC.

Recovery Audit Contractor Webinars are available through the American Health Care Association. 
Click here for details.

[Return to top]

 
  Web Portal available soon!

SAVE THE DATE!!

Webinar--June 8th, 2009 1:30pm

This portal is designed so that you can generate risk reports, corporate/chain reports, manage facility lists, control user access, view daily risk reports, keep current on CMS regulatory changes, view MDS Risk Focus data/reports/alerts, all in one screen at your fingertips.

You will receive an email in the next week about this webinar.   

[Return to top]

 
  CMS Skilled Nursing Open Door Forum-- Encore

Encore starting June 1, 2009:  1-800-642-1687

Conference ID # 94282479

Encore is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing the number above and entering the conference id, beginning June 1, 2009.  The recording expires after three business days.

Discussion items today--DME Accreditation, MDS 3.0 and the proposed changes in Medicare Part A payments.

Listen in to hear about CATS (Care Area Triggeers) which will replace RAPS in MDS 3.0.

[Return to top]

 
  Nursing Home Week Proclamation and Picture

The Kansas Health Care Association members attended a proclamation signing and picture with Governor Mark Parkinson.

Picture includes:  Cindy Luxem, Naomi Flett, Selena Brazzle, Sandra Chrastina, Wendy Read, Jim Klausman, Carol Anno and Angela Moore.

[Return to top]