Kansas Budget Cuts

The dollars the state received from the Federal Stimulus back to the state is the only thing saving the medicaid program from severe cuts.  Many states are cutting their Medicaid-nursing home budgets with or witrhout the stimulus dolalrs.  We will continue to monitor the situation.

The following explanation appeared in the Kansas Health Policy Authority newsletter explaining how the medicaid program is affected by the new cuts to the FY2010 budget.

In a statement issued Thursday, Gov. Parkinson said: “My plan is a responsible reaction to the current struggles we face. It makes the best effort to protect pub-lic safety, disabled Kansans and other critical services, and it does not include an across-the-board cut to state employee salaries or furloughs.”

Click here to view Governor's budget allotments.

"Replacing $6.3 million of state general fund money in the Medicaid caseload account with new federal stimulus funds Kansas will receive this year due to the state’s rising unemployment rate.

Recapturing $5.3 million from the caseload account that had been carried over from Fiscal Year 2009.

Deleting $500,000 from the agency’s caseload account that was intended to expand HealthWave eligibility for pregnant women and provide them with an enhanced dental benefit. KHPA had already announced the expansion and new benefit could not be implemented because no administrative funds were provided for the program. "

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  15 Kansas Homes Will Be Recipients of the 2009 AHCA/NCAL Step ! Award

Pinnacle Health Facilities, XVIII L.P. DBA Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital
Gardner

Baldwin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Skilled Healthcare
Baldwin City

Vintage Park at Baldwin City, LLC
Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc.
Baldwin City

Vintage Park at Gardner, LLC
Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc
Gardner

Golden Living Center - Fredonia
GGNSC
Fredonia

Golden Living Center-Chase County
Golden Living
Cottonwood Falls

Golden Living Center Parkway
Golden Living Centers
Edwardsville

Vintage Park at Lenexa, LLC
Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc.
Lenexa

Highland Healthcare and Rehabilitation
Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc.
Highland

Louisburg Healthcare & Rehab Ctr
Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc.
Louisburg

Vintage Park at Louisburg LLC
Skilled Health Care Group, Inc
Louisburg

Vintage Park at Osawatomie, LLC
Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc.
Osawatomie

Vintage Park at Stanley
Skilled Health Care Group, Inc.
Overland Park

Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Skilled Healthcare Group, INC.
Richmond

Vintage Park at Paola, LLC
Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc
Paola

Golden Living Center Wellington
Golden Living
Wellington

The homes listed above will receive their 2009 Step 1 Award at a special ceremony October 7th during the AHCA/NCAL Annual Convention to be held in Chicago.  Way to go class of 2009!

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  Fire Marshal

Amanda Yorkey is the new Education Consultant of the Kansas State Fire Marshal's office and we asked for a clarification of the back up natural gas generator issue.  You will see her response below. 

The requirement for a facility to obtain a letter from the vendor regarding natural gas generators is based on if the facility accepts or has patients on life support equipment.  Examples of life support equipment would be ventilators, dialysis, respirators, and/or if the facility does procedures requiring general anesthesia.

So if your facility does NOT have patients on life support, the facilities generator is essentially backing-up life safety code equipment such as your fire alarm system, emergency lights, etc.  This type of situation does not require a letter from the vendor because if the facility were to experience an interruption of gas service, during a power outage, it would not necessarily result in loss of life.

If your facility DOES have patients on life support and your generator is powered by natural gas, it IS required that the facility obtain a letter from the vendor.  (see letter requirements below)  This letter is required because if the facility were to experience an interruption of gas service, during a power outage, it would most likely result in loss of life.

As for Kansas Gas Services’ statement that since they have a very good history of reliability that they would not be considered a “location where the probability of interruption of off-site fuel supplies is high”.  This is incorrect.  Just because the company has a good history of reliability does not mean there is no probability for an interruption. 

So in closing, if your facility has patients that require life support equipment, you will need to obtain a letter from your natural gas vendor that meets the following criteria.

1. A statement of reasonable reliability of the natural gas delivery
2. A brief description that supports the statement regarding the reliability
3. A statement that there is a low probability of interruption of the natural gas
4. A brief description that supports the statement regarding the low probability of interruption
5. The signature of technical personnel from the natural gas vendor.

Article on Delayed Egress Devices--article from the Coffee Drink Training- Fire Protection Series

Click here to read the article.

If you would like to subscribe to these emails go to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/coffee-break/

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  CMS Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)/Long Term Care Open Door Forum

The next CMS Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)/Long-Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2009 from 2-3pm ET. The Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long-Term Care Open Door Forum (ODF) addresses the concerns and issues of both the Medicare SNF, the Medicaid NF, and the nursing home industry generally. The types of issues that come up during this forum are often related to the Minimum Data Set, SNF Consolidated Billing, the roles and responsibilities of different SNF, NF or LTC professional staff under CMS regulations, clarifications of issues that are covered during a survey and certification process, and the many rules and requirements under which different related services can be payable.

To participate by phone, Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 16841907.

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  KHCA/KCAL AWARDS Program
a message from the Public Relations Vice President Wendy Read

              KHCA/KCAL ANNUAL
MARTY HEGARTY RESIDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Activity Director
Social Worker/SSD
Environmental Services Worker
Food Service Employee
Nurse Aid
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

KCAL Awards
AL Operator of the Year
AL Worker of the Year

It's that exciting time of year when we have the opportunity to shout to the world what a wonderful group of residents and staff we have living and working in our facilities.  I encourage every home that is a member of KHCA to nominate at least one resident or staff member for these prestigious awards.  I have had award winners from Rossville Health and Rehab in the past and I can't tell you how much it means to these individuals to be recognized.  If you don't have time, delegate it to someone who does. 

I CHALLENGE EVERY HOME TO PARTICIPATE AND MAKE THIS THE MOST EXCITING AWARD CEREMONY EVER.

Click on any of the awards above and you will find the forms and print tthem off..

REMEMBER THE DEADLINE IS JULY 10.

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  Pressure Ulcer Collaborative Survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Aptht4sGSTdzMl5LTqu54A_3d_3d

Please click on the link above and fill out the survey.

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  AHCA/NCAL Annual Convention and Trade Show

Register Now for the AHCA/NCAL 60th Annual Convention & Expo
And Receive the Lowest Convention Rate
  
Inside This Issue:
* Early Bird Registration Deadline
*  Learn About the Issues
* Welcome Reception and Hospitality Hops
* Gala Dinner and Show
* Stretch Your Travel Budget

Register Online
 
Have you registered for the AHCA/NCAL 60th Annual Convention & Expo to take advantage of the July 15, 2009 Early Bird Convention registration discount? If not, don’t wait any longer. This year’s convention package offers four days of valuable resources designed for long term care providers, as well as those who work in other capacities within the profession.
 
* Stay in the AHCA/NCAL hotel room block, where we have negotiated for the lowest rates.
You must register by July 15, 2009 to receive the lowest registration rate. There are three easy ways to register:
* Online: www.ahcaconvention.org or www.ncalconvention.org.
* Fax: Download your registration forms online at www.ahcaconvention.org or www.ncalconvention.org. Complete the forms and fax to (415) 979-2276. 
* Mail: AHCA/NCAL Registration, c/o Convention Management Resources, 33 New Montgomery, Suite 1420, San Francisco, CA 94105.
Be sure to check your mailbox for the 2009 Preliminary Program which was mailed to you earlier this month. This resource contains all of the education offerings, expo hall information, and networking events as well as the necessary forms that you can also use to register and make your hotel reservations. 
To register and find out more information about the AHCA/NCAL 60th Annual Convention & Expo, visit www.ahcaconvention.org or www.ncalconvention.org. Please remember that the Early Bird registration deadline is July 15, 2009.  Register by that date and save.
See you in Chicago!
 

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