UPDATE Weekly

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is releasing a newly revised Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (SNFABN) along with newly developed, concise and separate instructions for form completion. The revised SNFABN has the requirements from the Denial Letters and looks similar to the ABN with 3 different options for Original Fee For Service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries to choose from.

CMS will be discontinuing the 5 SNF Denial Letters and the Notice of Exclusion from Medicare Benefits – Skilled Nursing Facility (NEMB-SNF). Since the NEMB-SNF was used as a voluntary notice for care that is never covered by Medicare, CMS will continue to encourage providers to issue the revised SNFABN in this voluntary capacity. The revised SNFABN will be mandatory for use on May 7, 2018. During the interim, SNFs may continue to use the old version of the SNFABN, the Denial Letters or the NEMB-SNF; however, it is recommended that the revised SNFABN be used as soon as possible.

For Part A items and services: SNFs must use the newly revised SNFABN as the liability notice.

For Part B items and services: SNFs must use the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131. The ABN and information on this notice can be found at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/BNI/ABN.html.

The Notice of Medicare Non Coverage (NOMNC) is still in use and will continue to be. It has a separate purpose and requirements than the SNFABN. The new ABN has the same basic instructions as in the current manual. All information can be found at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/BNI/index.html.

The NOMNC instructions are in section 260 of the manual and the current SNFABN instructions are in section 70, found here https://www.google.com/search?q=cms%20iom%20chapter%2030&cad=h.

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The NC Health Care Facilities Association presents Requirements of Participation (RoP) Phase 3. This session will overview the changes outlined in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participation which dramatically reforms the regulations for long term care facilities. The speaker will focus on Phase 3 Regulations, with special attention to Behavioral Health, Trauma, Informed Care, Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) and Training Requirements.

Objectives:

• Identify the timeline for Phase 3 compliance.
• Discuss the 10 key changes that are anticipated for implementation in Phase 3.
• Describe key characteristics of Trauma-Informed Care.
• State the 5 operational strategies for CMS compliance.

About the Speaker:

Kris Mastrangelo, President and CEO, Harmony Healthcare International

Kris Mastrangelo is nationally known and recently presented for the American Health Care Association (AHCA) during their 2017 Annual Convention and Expo. She has more than 24 years of experience in the Health Care profession with a specialty in the Long Term and Post-Acute Care Arena. An Occupational Therapist degree from Tufts University followed by a Master’s in Business Administration from Salem State University coupled with a Nursing Home Administrator’s License affords Kris an in-depth perspective into the nursing home profession. Initially providing direct care as an Occupational Therapist, Kris became familiar with the Medicare, Medicaid and HMO reimbursement systems. Her position evolved into the management of rehabilitation programs to Vice President of Operations for a national consulting company to Vice President of Reimbursement. Her experience includes the development and presentation of training modules (C.A.R.E.- Compliance, Audit, Analysis, Reimbursement and Regulatory and Efficiency) for independent owners to national organizations. She proclaims that “Our on-site and off-site medical record review process is the platform for C.A.R.E. optimization and systems improvement.” She is an integral player in the Payment Reform with significant contributions to the policy process. Kris was appointed to and serves on the AHCA’s Clinical Practice Committee (CPC).

This session will be offered in two locations:
April 10th, 2018 – Durham, NC
April 11th, 2018 – Charlotte, NC

Brochures will be mailed today. Click here to view and print the brochure with registration form. Click here to register On-line now!

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The NCHCFA Annual Summer Symposium will be August 8-10, 2018 at the Embassy Suites Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC. Brochures outlining specific program information will be available in June.

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NCHCFA has a new benefit of membership in 2018—a monthly Lunch and Learn Webinar Series. NCHCFA will offer a one-hour Webinar on a timely and relevant topic to its members for no additional charge. There will be no CEUs offered for these Webinars.

The next Webinar in the series is scheduled for March 15th, from 12 noon-1:00 PM. Mark your calendar today! Webinar details are below:

Title: Survey: The New CMS Requirements of Participation for SNFs and the “Resident Representative” Requirement; What is This, What Does it Really Require and How Does it Mesh with Federal and State Law Governing the Appointment of Resident Surrogates?

Presenter: Poyner Spruill, LLP

The new “resident representative” language in the COPs permits residents to designate an individual who may or may not be the same as their legally-authorized surrogate identified in a durable or health care power of attorney to make health care decisions, thus creating the potential for real confusion, real conflict and real problems for providers both in terms of resident care, survey liability and risk management liability. This Webinar will examine the “resident representative” requirement and how it meshes with state laws on resident surrogacy. While some questions about resident representative’s role remain unanswered by CMS, facilities can help manage this issue by asking residents to specifically identify the scope of authority they are granting to a “resident representative.” This session will help providers understand the “resident representative” requirement and how to work with residents to clearly delineate the scope of a resident representative’s authority.

Mark your calendar. Click here to register today!

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Please plan to join your friends and colleagues in beautiful Southern Pines, North Carolina, on September 12 and 13 for the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association (NCHCFA) 7th Annual Autumn Classic. The event will be held at the world famous Pine Needles Lodge and Resort. Built in 1928, the Donald Ross course at Pine Needles has been host to three U.S. Women’s Open tournaments in 1996, 2001 and again in 2007.

You do not have to play golf to participate. Register for the “Recharge Club” Package and enjoy lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing at The Spa at Pinehurst. This 31,000 square foot facility is a Forbes Four-Star Spa that offers a wide variety of treatments and services. This package includes access to all areas at the spa, which features a heated, three-lane saline lap pool, eucalyptus steam rooms, a spacious fitness center, and much more. Transportation will be provided to and from the Village at Pinehurst.

The Autumn Classic is hosted by the NCHCFA to benefit our political action committee (PAC). To review registration materials visit http://nursinghnc.webfactional.com/files/2018/03/PAC-Brochure-v1_07-85×11 7thAAC_Rdx_wForm.pdf. We hope you will join us in Southern Pines in September.

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A recent announcement from Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) presents the recently endorsed and approved quality initiative goals for skilled nursing centers and assisted living communities. AHCA will also be hosting a Webinar in April to discuss these new goals.

For additional information, including registration information for the Webinar, click here.

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The American Health Care Association (AHCA) National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) is May 13-19, 2018! NSNCW, formerly known as National Nursing Home Week, provides an opportunity to recognize the role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Life’s Stories”, serves as a tribute to life’s most significant events, relationships and experiences that shape the unique perspectives of residents, families, staff, and volunteers in long term and post-acute care.

Are you ready to start “Celebrating Life’s Stories”? AHCA is excited to release the 2018 NSNCW Planning Guide and Product Catalog! Visit the NSNCW Website to download the guide and purchase 2018 products now http://bit.ly/2hFJAjr. Members are encouraged to place orders early for best product selection (color, size, and available quantities). NSNCW items are very popular and will sell out.

Don’t forget to “Like” the NSNCW Facebook page here for updates and to see what centers are planning during this special week, May 13-19, 2018, and be sure to use the hashtag, #NSNCW in any social media posts related to the observance.

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The recently released Phase II edition of the Long Term Care Survey includes all the updates from Phase I and the Phase II of CMS’ three-phase implementation plan that is set to take place over the next several years. It includes completely new F-tag numbers, updated guidance, and some revised regulatory language. The newest updates and revisions are now in effect. With more than 800 pages of new content, it is imperative that every center have a copy!

To order, visit http://www.AHCApublications.org or call (800) 321-0343. Fax orders may also be placed at (800) 869-5605.

AHCA MEMBER PRICING

Softbound (Product# 6775-2017): $64.95
Binder (Product# 6775N-2017): $85.95
E-Book (Product# 6775E-2017): $129.95

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This DVD, Mobility and Safe Movement of the Elderly, Improving Your Skills to Prevent Injuries and Reduce Falls, by Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L., FOTA, Dementia Care & Training Specialist, was developed in conjunction with Wake Allied Health Education Center, Durham Technical Community College and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Office of Information Systems. The content is formatted in separate segments in order to customize the delivery of content to your learning objective. Handouts developed by Teepa accompany each video and may be reproduced. To order, e-mail your request to Donna Snyder at donnas@nchcfa.org. The price is $35.00 (tax and shipping included).

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Don’t let words get in the way of the message about aging.

Kansas City Article

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A group of porcupines is called a prickle.

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