AHCA’S Congressional Briefing Happening Next Week!

When you attend and participate in Congressional Briefing, you have the invaluable opportunity to meet and discuss key issues with your Members of Congress and their staff.  Don’t miss the chance to discuss your concerns face to face.  Contact your state affiliate to set up your meetings today.  See the complete agenda and get all the details at cb.ahcancal.org.  You can register onsite for this great event!

Convention & Expo Preliminary Program is Available

The AHCA/NCAL Preliminary Program is now available. You can download a copy or review it online. Watch your mailboxes this week for a copy. Get an overview of the exciting education sessions, guest speakers, networking events, and Expo Hall.  Be sure to attend the ID/DD Day sessions on Tuesday, October 15th!

Don’t wait to register! Save $100 on all Premium/Full Meeting Registration packages when you do Early Bird Registration. Other Early Bird savings may apply depending on your registration type.  You can save an additional $100 on registration when you stay at a hotel in the AHCA/NCAL room block.  That's a minimum savings of $200 if you register by July 26th.  Learn more about all of your registration options and reserve your spot today.



Deadline for AHCA Awards Program Nominations is Soon!

We are now accepting entries for the AHCA Awards Program.  AHCA honors individuals who are committed to improving the quality of life for residents. Categories include:

·         ID/DD Hero of the Year

·         Not for Profit Trustee of the Year

·         Not for Profit Program of the Year

·         Volunteer of the Year

o   Young Adult (Ages 13-19)

o   Adult

o   Group

Nominations packets are available on AHCA's website now through June 7, 2019.  We encourage AHCA members take the time to submit a nomination to recognize those making a difference in the long term care industry.  Honorees will be recognized at AHCA/NCAL's 70th Annual Convention and & Expo in Orlando this October.

We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative

AHCA/NCAL began a new social media advocacy initiative this year and is encouraging all members to get involved.  The effort focuses on improving the overall image of the post-acute and long term care profession by sharing positive stories and pushing back on pieces that attempt to tie all providers to isolated negative events.

AHCA/NCAL will be sending interested members tips for getting more involved on social media, best practices for posting content, sample posts, and a roundup of positive stories about the profession on a regular basis. Individuals who want to get involved should email socialmedia@ahca.org to get on the mailing list. AHCA/NCAL is encouraging all members to get involved.

The campaign also will include a rapid response to stories that are unfairly negative about the profession or do not accurately portray the reality of post-acute and long term care.  AHCA/NCAL hopes to build on these successes as the year continues. With thousands of buildings nationwide who touch the lives of millions of people, there is the chance to seriously affect the way the profession is viewed and treated by lawmakers and the media.

ICF/IID Reports

AHCA's Research Department has released the following June 2018 updates for use by AHCA/NCAL members (Login Required):

·         LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) Standard Health Survey Report, June 2018

·         LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), Facility and Resident Characteristics, June 2018

The standard health survey report includes Emergency Preparedness (E-tags) this year for the first time.  If you have any questions relating to these reports, which include important ICF/IID state and national data, please contact AHCA’s Research Director, Kiran Sreenivas.

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.

Articles and Resources of Interest

• NADRC Webinar: Caregiving for People with Non-Alzheimer’s Dementia
• Save the Date: Applications for 2020 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Available Aug. 1
• Study Highlights Need for Differing Prevention Strategies for Hip, Non-Hip Lower-Extremity Fractures
• You Must Be ICD-10 Ready To Be PDPM Ready
• Cleary Energy Can Show You How Much You’re Donating to Utility Companies in Unnecessary Over Payments
• Take Advantage of the Pre-Sale Registration for AHCA’s Virtual PDPM Training
• Put Some Swing in Your Spring with Music from Mood Media
• The Number of Open LTC Jobs Nationwide Holds Steady in May
• AHCA Offers Hybrid Nurse Assistant Training to Address Workforce Challenges
• What's Your Story?

Legislative and Agency Corner

• CMS Issues MDS 3.0 RAI Manual Updates that include Significant PDPM- Related Changes
• Updated Conscience Rights in Health Care
• DOJ Guidance on Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs
• Updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) Database File
• Issue Briefs for Contracting with Health Plans

Upcoming 2019 Events

• AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing – June 3-4, 2019
• DDNA Annual Conference - June 7-10, 2019
• VOR's Annual Conference - June 8 - 12, 2019
• AHCA/NCAL 70th Annual Convention & Expo – October 13-16, 2019

2019 Health Care Observances

June 2019 marks, among other observances, National Safety Month, Cataract Awareness Month, Men’s Health Month, and the National Nursing Assistants Week (June 13^th-19^th).  The 2019 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.