Webinar Monday on Medicaid Changes in Senate Repeal and Replace Bill

AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar on Monday, June 26 at 12 PM Eastern to provide information about the Senate's draft proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Please take a moment to review the email from Mark Parkinson sent yesterday here.

During the webinar, AHCA Briefing Call with Mark Parkinson on Medicaid Changes in Senate Repeal and Replace Legislation, staff will provide an overview of the bill, summarize issues and concerns for the profession, outline next steps in the legislative process, and discuss how you can take action.

We encourage you to join Monday's webinar as the ACA repeal and replace effort is the biggest threat we have faced to Medicaid in the history of the sector.

Click here to join.

If you are unable to participate, a link to the recording will be available on ahcancalED as soon as possible following the webinar.

This message contains confidential information and is intended only for AHCA/NCAL membership. Dissemination, distribution or copying the contents of this email beyond this group is strictly prohibited.

CMS Delay of Compliance with HCBS Setting Rule

On May 9, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an Informational Bulletin extending the timeline for compliance with the Medicaid home and community-based settings rule.  CMS indicates that states should continue progress with their statewide transition plan to be approved by March 17, 2019, but the agency is extending the transition period for states to demonstrate compliance with the settings criteria by 3 years to March 17, 2022.  For assisted living communities and other providers of home and community-based services, this extension provides relief as they work with states to ensure they meet the criteria for a home and community-based setting.  More guidance about the rule can be found here.

AHCA Members Meet with HHS Secretary Price to Discuss Maintaining Access to Quality Long Term Care

American Health Care Association (AHCA) President and CEO Mark Parkinson joined association members in a recent meeting with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tom Price, M.D., to discuss challenges the long term care profession faces as the nation’s population ages and the importance of maintaining access to quality long term care.

AHCA members discussed with Secretary Price the need for responsible regulation that supports and incentivizes quality improvement.  Recent regulatory changes impose both redundant and unnecessary stipulations on providers and are not focused on improving care at the bedside. AHCA members specifically noted that some of the practices detailed in the Requirements of Participation, which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued last October, interfere with person-centered care and day-to-day operations.  Secretary Price and AHCA members also discussed significant improvements in key quality measures across the long term care profession.  In 2012, the Association launched its Quality Initiative, which challenges providers to improve key quality performance measures. 

Members in attendance at the meeting with Secretary Price included Tom Coble, Chair of AHCA Board of Governors, and President and CEO of Elmbrook Management Company; Bob Hagan, President of Sterling Healthcare, Inc.; Neil Pruitt, Jr., Chairman and CEO of PruittHealth.



(L-R): Neil Pruitt, Jr., Mike Cheek, Bob Hagan, Secretary Tom Price, Tom Coble, Mark Parkinson, and Dr. David Gifford

‘Family is Forever’ Designated as 2017 Theme for National Assisted Living Week

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) recently revealed “Family is Forever” as this year’s theme for National Assisted Living Week®.  The annual, national observance provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and surrounding communities to celebrate the individuals served in assisted living and learn more about this sector of long term care. ​​​​​

“Anyone who has spent valuable time in an assisted living community has seen how staff can come to think of their residents like family,” said NCAL Executive Director Scott Tittle. “It takes a special person to work in our profession, and often, caregivers form bonds that can never be broken.  This National Assisted Living Week, we want to recognize these amazing individuals who give their heart and soul to their residents, as well as those seniors and individuals with disabilities who leave a lasting imprint on their caregivers.”

Established by NCAL in 1995, National Assisted Living Week (NALW) will be held Sept. 10-16, 2017.  This year’s theme is inspired by a quote from the poet Maya Angelou: “Family isn’t always blood, it’s the people in your life who want you in theirs: the ones who accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.” Assisted living communities across the country are encouraged to organize activities and events during NALW that celebrate these deep connections between staff and residents.

The “Family is Forever” logo is available for download to assisted living communities, stakeholders, and members of the public on the NALW website.  In the coming months, NCAL will issue a planning guide and product catalog centered on ways to celebrate “Family is Forever.” Please visit www.NALW.org for updated information and resources.

AHCA Summary of Interpretive Guidance for Emergency Preparedness Requirements

As you may know from previous AHCA correspondences, the Emergency Preparedness Final Rule was released on Friday, September 16, 2016. The rule impacts skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IIDs), but does not apply to assisted living providers.

On June 2, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Emergency Preparedness Interpretive Guidance (IG), which can be found here. AHCA members are highly encouraged to look through the IG. Providers will need to comply with the final rule by November 2017. Click here for a summary AHCA put together of the IG for your use. Finally, AHCA has an Emergency Preparedness Final Rule Webinar Series that can be found here. The next webinar will be on Thursday, July 13, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern, with guest speaker J. David Weidner, MPH, REHS, MEP, CEM, Director of Emergency Management at the Health Care Association of New Jersey, and will focus on emergency exercise design in 60 minutes or less. Please contact Erin Prendergast (SNF Providers) or Dana Halvorson (ICF/IID Providers) with any questions.

Long Term Care Advocates Recognized at AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) recently recognized the 2017 Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Award recipients at its annual Congressional Briefing event. Two advocates for the long term and post-acute care profession were recognized for their commitment to care for seniors and individuals with disabilities:

• Dirk Anjewierden, Executive Director, Utah Health Care Association
• Greg J. Elliot, Vice President, American Medical Facilities Management (AMFM)

AHCA/NCAL gives this award to association members who have worked directly to educate members of Congress about the needs of long term and post-acute care patients and to advance quality care. The award recognizes caregivers who possess the same compassion for – and commitment to – the country’s elderly and individuals with disabilities that exemplified the work of former president and CEO of Illinois-based Heritage Enterprises, Joe Warner.

ICF/IID Reports

AHCA's Research Department has released the following June 2016 updates for use by AHCA/NCAL members:

• LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) Standard Health Survey Report, June 2016
• LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), June 2016

If you have any questions relating to these reports, which include important ICF/IID state and national data, please contact AHCA’s Senior Research Analyst, Kiran Sreenivas.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Grassroots Advocacy – Facility Visits Over Recess

Holly Jarek, AHCA's ID/DD Committee Chair, encourages AHCA's ID/DD providers to participate in our grassroots advocacy efforts in 2017.  AHCA would like to help you get facility tours and in-district meetings set up over future recess days.  Please provide your name, facility address, and email address and we will craft the invite and send it to you to send to the Congressional office.  The four brief steps for a successful facility tour visit can be found here.  Please feel free to contact Matthew Smyth and Dana Halvorson who can help you with all of the logistics.

AHCA’s ID/DD Committee members, Renee Naylor (pictured to the left) and Kelly Head (pictured to the right), met with Representative Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5), during AHCA’s ID/DD Residential Services Providers annual Hill Fly-In event. 

U.S. Congressional Calendars

As you are planning your visits with members of Congress and their staff in Washington, D.C., or in your district, the Congressional calendars will be of assistance to you.  The U.S. House of Representatives calendar for the 115^th Congress, first session, can be found here.  The tentative U.S. Senate schedule for 2017 can be found here.

AHCA/NCAL Advocacy App

If you haven’t already heard about it, then we wanted to alert you to a great app that allows you to keep abreast of AHCA advocacy efforts.  Among other things, it provides important talking points, issue briefs and features that allow you to take action.  It will be useful not only to you, but serves as a great way for providers to weigh in.  You can get the app by clicking on the appropriate black box below.

 

Download our advocacy app!

   

VOR Corner

VOR is a national nonprofit organization advocating for high quality care and human rights for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). VOR empowers its members to make and protect quality of life choices for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Founded in 1983, VOR is a national 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer board of directors and funded solely by dues and donations.  VOR represents primarily individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families/guardians.  VOR advocates that the final determination of what is appropriate depends on the unique abilities and needs of the individual and desires of the family and guardians.  More information about VOR can be found here.

2018 DDNA Conference

Join DDNA next year in sunny Orlando, Florida - March 22-25, 2018!  The 26th Annual Education Conference will be held at the Orlando World Marriott Center Resort!  All ID/DD healthcare professionals and ID/DD advocates welcome to attend!  Sponsors and exhibitors also welcome!  More information coming soon on DDNA’s website: www.ddna.org or contact DDNA at: conference@ddna.org.

As the premier resource for practicing I/DD nurses, DDNA is committed to providing quality education programs that include cutting edge content with practical application.  For more information about the DDNA or to become a member, visit their website at: DDNA.org

We’ve Got You Covered! AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions Website

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) now offers a variety of comprehensive insurance programs to meet your business needs. Backed by the strength of our membership, AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions programs are designed with exclusive member savings and discounts for both the fully-insured or self-insured members.

The program offers health insurance options, group and voluntary benefit packages, an aggressive Stop-Loss insurance program as well as cloud based HR platforms that will help members achieve savings and greater efficiencies on HR services within your company, while also tracking and reporting on key Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements.  For more information, please contact AHCA’s Dave Kyllo at dkyllo@AHCA.org and visit the AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions website.  

AHCA’s State of the States Clearinghouse

AHCA members have access to key Medicaid and Medicare information through the State of the States Clearinghouse.  The AHCA State of the States Clearinghouse is a one stop shop for key Medicaid and Medicare information impacting the long term care profession.

This resource provides valuable data, including:

• Overview of the demographic landscape;
• State-specific nursing center occupancy and ownership breakouts; 
• Certificate of Need requirements for nursing centers and state licensure requirements; 
• State data on the cost of care for long term services and supports;  
• State data on the total number of Medicare enrollees; 
• Data on state Medicare Advantage plan enrollees and comparisons to the national average; 
• State and national Medicaid expenditure data;
• State Medicaid rates, costs and shortfalls;
• And other significant state-specific data related to payment structure, managed long term services and home and community based services coverage.

AHCA will continue to provide the most up-to-date information through the Clearinghouse and share new data/resources as they become available.  Also be sure to visit the AHCA Medicaid Page to learn more about the program and to access additional AHCA members-only Medicaid resources.

Articles and Resources of Interest

• AHCA/NCAL Announces 2017 Bronze National Quality Award Recipients – ahcancal.org
• FY 2017 Preparedness Grant Programs Announced – longtermcareleader.com
• New Report on Adequacy of Income Allowances for Medicaid HCBS – longtermcareleader.com
• Frequently Asked Flu Questions 2016-2017 Influenza Season – cdc.gov
• Flu News & Spotlights – cdc.gov
• Report Finds Adults with Disabilities Remain Outside the Economic Mainstream – realeconomicimpact.org
• Special Needs Plans: Focusing on Social Determinants of Health Among Duals – healthinnovation.org
• Severe Shortage Of Direct Care Workers Triggering Crisis – disabilityscoop.com
• Fever During Pregnancy May Increase Autism Odds – disabilityscoop.com
• Many Adults With Autism Struggling Even With Services – disabilityscoop.com
• Study: Autism Behaviors Often Unrelated To Speech Difficulties – disabilityscoop.com
• In Treating Autism, Drugs Often Overshadow Behavior Therapy – disabilityscoop.com

Legislative and Agency Corner

• AHCA/NCAL Responds to President Trump's Proposed Budget for 2018 – ahcancal.org
• AHCA/NCAL Advocates Visit Lawmakers in Record Numbers – longtermcareleader.com
• What is ACL’s Interest in HCBS Quality? – longtermcareleader.com
• CMS Delay of Compliance with HCBS Setting Rule – longtermcareleader.com
• The ABLE Act and Employment: Strategies for Maximizing the Effectiveness of theAchieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act as a Tool for Financial Stability and Employment Outcomes of People with Disabilities – leadcenter.org
• New Medicaid Waiver Rule Delayed – disabilityscoop.com
• Lawmakers Call For Full Funding Of IDEA – disabilityscoop.com
• Feds Urged To Improve Transition Services – disabilityscoop.com

Webinars of Interest

Stay informed and tune in to AHCA/NCAL-hosted pre-recorded and live webinars on several topics impacting the long-term care profession.  One webinar coming up in July that might be of interest is below.     

• Emergency Exercise Design In 60 Minutes or Less – Part III in the Webinar Series

You also might be interested in an AADMD Virtual Grand Rounds Aging in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities webinar, which can be viewed here.  

The ARC has also has webinars this year that might be of interest. 

AHCA/NCAL Learning Management Website

AHCA/NCAL has recently launched a comprehensive online Learning Management System to support the training needs of its members. The website, known as ahcancalED, contains a wealth of information including educational programs, webinars, instructional videos, training courses, and other tools. It is available free to AHCA/NCAL members.

"We created ahcancalED for our members who do not have the time or budget to develop the newest in-service training," said Dr. David Gifford, AHCA/NCAL Senior Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs. "Our objective also was to provide the best and latest educational tools, especially as CMS increases its regulatory requirements about staff training and competency in a number of areas. ahcancalED is designed to help individuals in our profession do a better job of caring for patients and residents and advance in their careers."

The information on ahcancalED is structured to make the online learning experience engaging, meaningful, and interactive for users. The fresh graphics and clearly defined sections within the site make it easy for users to navigate and find the information they need. The site also allows users to track their own learning progress.

Teams of experts from around the country working with AHCA/NCAL staff helped to create the content. "We will constantly be adding new programs and materials so that we can keep the site fresh and dynamic," said Gifford. "We'll continue to look for new ways the site can grow and serve our members. It's a great value-added benefit and a tangible example of our commitment to enhancing quality."

ahcancalED can be accessed at https://educate.ahcancal.org/. Suggestions for content or other site enhancements can be submitted to the ahcancalED team at educate@ahca.org. AHCA/NCAL welcomes ideas that will help improve quality and strengthen the knowledge, skills and attitudes of staff in the long term and post-acute care community.

From the Blog of Josh Linkner

Noted on the Josh Linkner blog, “To Josh Linkner, creativity and innovation are the lifeblood of all human progress. As such, he’s spent his career harnessing the power of creative disruption.  His journey has been non-traditional at every step. As the founder and CEO of four tech companies, Josh built his businesses from a blank page into a combined value of over $200 million. As a hyper-growth CEO of over 20 years, he’s used innovative approaches to topple competitors, fight through adversity, and achieve at the highest levels.”  The bio section of Linkner’s blog goes on to include that, “Josh is an internationally-recognized thought leader and top-rated keynote speaker on innovation, creativity, reinvention, and hyper-growth leadership. His keynotes are focused on not only inspiring audiences, but also sharing actionable strategies to drive meaningful outcomes.”  Read some of Linkner’s blogs below.  In addition, you can view some of his keynote speaking addresses here.

• 3 Hacks to Boost Client Loyalty and Growth
• The 5 Obsessions of Innovators
• Are You a Firebrand?
• Death by 1,000 Paper Cuts
• What Kenyan Distance Runners Can Teach Us About Achievement  

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 2017 Events

LTPAC Health IT Summit in Baltimore – June 25-26, 2017
68th Annual AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo in Las Vegas – October 14-18, 2017

2017 Health Care Observances

July 2017 marks, among other observances Eye Injury Prevention Month, UV Safety Month, and National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month.  The full 2017 health care related observances calendar can be found here.