LEADINGAGE KANSAS UPDATES

It’s Time to Start Thinking Ahead – A Message and Request from Debra

COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to climb in Kansas. There is justifiable fear that frail older people could be negatively impacted as the state and its citizen move toward business as usual.  And many experts warn of a second wave of COVID-19 in the fall and winter, just as happened with the most fierce flu in the last century. So we all have to be thinking and planning… for the short term, mid-term and longer term.

I hear from some members who are not taking any new admissions for now due to COVID-19.  I know this can only be a short-term strategy at best.

So, what I’d really like to hear is what would make you more comfortable with new admissions, barring a quick and magical evaporation of COVID-19? For example:

  • Would you need assurance that you’d have enough PPE from reliable sources?  
  • Would you need to know the COVID-19 status of individuals before you consider admitting them?
  • Would you need funds to pay for PPE supplies, staff and other things (and what other things)?
  • What else? (I’m sure I don’t have the full menu of ideas here.)
  • Say all of the things you’d need to be comfortable taking new admissions come to pass, would consider taking just COVID-19 negative admissions, or also post-acute COVID-19 positive admissions?

Seriously, I want to hear from you. Email me at debra@leadingagekansas.org or call me at 785-233-7443.

Taking a longer view, I would fervently encourage your organization (including your board or governing body) to take time now to start thinking about these questions:

  • What are you and your organization learning during the time of COVID-19?
  • What do you and your board see as impacts and changes to your organization over the next 1-3 years as a result of what you are learning in the time of COVID-19?

You don’t have to figure it all out at once! Just start posing these questions and revisit them over time, and jot down some notes.  This will help you and your organization be stronger now and emerge stronger for the future.

FEDERAL UPDATES

KANSAS UPDATES

Temporary License for Alternate Care Sites or Designated Facility/Units

To apply for an Alternate Care Site or Designated Facility/Unit temporary license please fill out the COVID-19 checklist and return it to COVIDchecklist@ks.gov. In addition to filling out the checklist please send KDADS a brief plan of your COVID-19 efforts. (Please note designating already licensed beds to care for COVID-19 residents does not require a temporary license.) Please send questions to COVIDchecklist@ks.gov.

Notes from KDADS regarding the process for obtaining a temporary license:

  • If you could return the attached Checklist document to us (KDADS), along with a brief, concise COVID 19 Plan, we’ll review it quickly.   
  • Once your plan is reviewed and approved, we’ll issue a Temporary License/Authorization for COVID 19 Response Efforts document.
  • By doing so, we’ll be better positioned to coordinate our COVID 19 efforts, statewide, with our healthcare partners.    

Governor Brings Greenlee as COVID-19 LTSS Liaison

Governor Laura Kelly has announced a contract with Kathy Greenlee, former Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and former Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging. Ms. Greenlee will work on a half-time basis as the Kansas COVID-19 Long-Term Supports and Services (LTSS) Liaison as part of the administration’s continued focus on nursing facilities and LTSS.

“It’s important to highlight that Ms. Greenlee’s role will not be to do the things that are currently being done today in our state agencies related to long-term care, but to lend her expertise and utilize her national connections to enhance our work here in Kansas,” Kelly said.

LeadingAge Kansas has been in conversation with Greenlee, emphasizing the serious need for more communication and cooperation between state agencies during the COVID-19 crisis.

CMP Grants for Communications Devices- How to Apply

CMS recently announced that federally certified nursing homes are eligible to receive up to $3,000 in Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds to purchase electronic devices to enable residents to visit with family and friends in a virtual setting and participate in telehealth visits. This program was initiated in response to the restrictions placed on visitors in nursing homes to prevent the spread of COVID-19. CMP funds may be used by nursing homes to purchase tablets, iPads, and similar devices, as well as accessories including headphones and protective covers to help with cleaning between uses. Additional information about the grant is available in the COVID-19 Application FAQ document. Nursing homes interested in participating in this grant program are asked to submit a completed COVID-19 Application and send to covid.cmp@ks.gov. Applications will be reviewed to verify requests for equipment are within parameters established by CMS. KDADS reported yesterday that they have received nearly 50 applications thus far. Facilities will receive an approval letter from KDADS with instructions on how to submit invoices for payment. Kansas Health Care Association is the fiscal agent distribution of the grants, so providers receiving grants will notice that checks are sent via them.  Thank you to KHCA for serving this valuable function.

Governor Brings Greenlee as COVID-19 LTSS Liaison

Governor Laura Kelly has announced a contract with Kathy Greenlee, former Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and former Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging. Ms. Greenlee will work on a half-time basis as the Kansas COVID-19 Long-Term Supports and Services (LTSS) Liaison as part of the administration’s continued focus on nursing facilities and LTSS.

“It’s important to highlight that Ms. Greenlee’s role will not be to do the things that are currently being done today in our state agencies related to long-term care, but to lend her expertise and utilize her national connections to enhance our work here in Kansas,” Kelly said.

LeadingAge Kansas has been in conversation with Greenlee, emphasizing the serious need for more communication and cooperation between state agencies during the COVID-19 crisis.

There are 7,486 Cases of COVID-19 in Kansas
View the latest update of COVID-19 cases in Kansas. These numbers represent ONLY individuals that have had a positive COVID-19 test. | Map of COVID-19 in KS.

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Nicole Schings
Nicole Schings is the Director of Member Services and Business Development. She oversees the Partnership/Sponsorship program, recruitment and retention of the association’s provider and associate members as well as coordinating all aspects of online education. Nicole graduated from Washburn University and is a Platinum Geocacher. Her favorite thing about working at the association is to bring new partners in to help us better serve members. Along with her geocaching hobby, Nicole enjoys spending time with her dog, Blu. Her favorite part of working at LeadingAge Kansas is that the people are cool and she enjoys getting to know the members and helping them solve problems. You can reach Nicole directly at 785.670.8048.

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