Kansas Has a National Silver Award Winner

Last week, the 2010 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Senior and Master Examiners met in Tampa, FL to review over 230 Silver – Achievement in Quality and 26 Gold – Excellence in Quality applications. This was the largest group of National Quality Award Examiners ever brought together, with 123 individuals from 37 states; a 76% increase from just last year! This talented group of individuals deserve a great deal of recognition and gratitude for their hard work and commitment.

In 2010, AHCA will honor 38 organizations who will receive the Silver National Quality Award. From Kansas Vintage Park at Paola is a Silver Winner! Congratualations!

Please note that the Bronze and Gold Quality Award notifications have not been made. The notification dates for these award levels are as follows:

·         Bronze – Commitment to Quality Notification: June 30, 2010

·         Gold – Excellence in Quality Notification Deadline: August 30, 2010

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  Transmittal Correcting Manual Error on SNF ABN

CMS has issued a transmittal on "Clarification on Use of the SNFABN and Denial Letters." CMS notes that SNF providers historically were instructed by CMS to use either the SNFABN or one of the 5 uniform Denial Letters for items and services expected to be denied under Medicare Part A to fulfill the notification requirements under Section 1879 of the Social Security Act and 42 CFR 411.404. However, the corresponding manual instructions stated that only the SNFABN could be used for this purpose.  This instruction clarifies that SNFs may continue using either the SNF Notice of Noncoverage (Denial Letters) or the SNFABN for items and services expected to be denied under Medicare Part A.  The transmittal is effective July 12, 2010, and is available at http://www.cms.gov/transmittals/downloads/R1983CP.pdf.

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  The 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

The Continuing Extension Act of 2010, enacted on April 15, 2010, extended the zero percent update to the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) through May 31, 2010. 

On May 27, 2010, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initially instructed contractors to hold claims for services paid under the MPFS for the first 10 business days of June.  On June 14, CMS extended this hold for an additional three business days (i.e., through June 17, 2010).  This hold only affected MPFS claims with dates of service of June 1, 2010 and later.

CMS today directed contractors to lift the hold and begin processing June 1 and later MPFS claims under the law’s negative update requirement.  Held claims will be released and processed on a flow basis, first-in/first-out.

Congress continues to debate the elimination of the negative update that took effect June 1, 2010.  The CMS is hopeful that Congressional action will be taken to avert the negative update and will continue to monitor those actions.  If Congress changes the negative update currently in effect, CMS is prepared to act expeditiously to make the appropriate changes to Medicare claims processing systems.

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  AHCA asks for Help with Survey

The American Health Care Association, in collaboration with the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, has engaged Avalere Health to conduct a survey on the effect of the credit crisis on nursing facilities. The information obtained from this survey will be used for various advocacy efforts.

The recent economic downturn has impacted nursing facilities’ access to credit and ability to care for their patients.  To capture data relative to the impact of this economic downturn, the American Health Care Association (AHCA), in collaboration with the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care (AQNHC), has engaged Avalere Health, a strategic healthcare advisory healthcare advisory firm based in Washington, DC, to conduct a survey.  The information gathered in this survey will be used to assist AHCA and AQNHC to educate Congress about how the sector has been affected.

The survey requests information related to the effect of the credit crisis on your organization’s access to credit and decisions related to capital improvement.  The survey also requests information on changes in your organization’s Medicaid payment rates, mix of patients, and staff compensation.

We request your assistance by completing this survey.  Separate surveys have been created for individual facilities and corporations.

Individual nursing facilities can access the survey online at

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/290120/economic-downturn-facility-version

Corporations can access the survey online at http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/290115/economic-downturn-corporate-version

All survey responses submitted to Avalere Health will be kept strictly confidential. As an independent third party, Avalere Health will collect and de-identify all survey responses prior to dissemination to AHCA and AQNHC.  Survey results will only be released publicly in the aggregate. 

On behalf of AHCA, thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.  We appreciate your feedback and participation in this survey.  If you would like to speak with someone further about the content of this survey, please contact Nicole Cafarella (202-207-3475) at Avalere Health. 

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  AHCA Convention Registration

Early Bird Registration Ends July 21, 2010

Join thousands of your colleagues from across the country at the 61st Annual AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo from October 10th through October 13th at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California.  The four value-packed days offer more than 60 education sessions, covering 13 learning tracks. All sessions are designed to provide you with up-to-date, results-oriented information - an important factor in today’s changing economy.

For more information and to register, please visit the AHCA/NCAL Convention website or click here for a special preview.

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  Kansas Healthcare Association Welcomes Disney Institute to Wichita on July 27, 2010

Every hospital, clinic, group medical practice, dental practice, or freestanding medical care provider has the opportunity to distinguish themselves through the delivery of quality services.

A one-day local workshop, Disney’s Approach to Quality Service for Healthcare Professionals program will show you the importance of attention to detail in everything Disney does -- from training its Cast Members (employees) to treating every Guest (patient) as a VIP.  You will hear the stories and see how Disney best practices can be easily adapted to your healthcare delivery organization.

IMPORTANT: Please use the Kansas Healthcare Association promotional code KHCAMNE to receive $50 OFF PER GUEST when registering. Additional group discounts are available.

TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER GO TO: http://www.KeysWichita.com
No prerequisite training required.

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  Culture Change Now!

The June 2010 Culture Change Now Newsletter is out. Click here for the latest copy.

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