VACCINATION NEWS

President of CVS/Omnicare on LeadingAge National
LeadingAge National hosted Jim Love, President of CVS/Omnicare today to discuss the CVS plan to distribute the vaccine through the CDC Pharmacy Partnership program. This is a prime opportunity to hear how the implementation is proceeding and to ask questions about next steps in getting the vaccine to your long-term care community. Check this page to listen in when the recording is posted. We will also post in the Daily Update on Friday.

Post-Vaccine Adverse Events and Infection Control
CDC held a COCA webinar yesterday on post-vaccine adverse events and infection control considerations. This included reporting through VAERS and V-Safe, as well as managing staff and residents with post-vaccine symptoms. This webinar is available here and the LeadingAge summary is available here.

STATE NEWS

PASSR Suspension Extended to January 23, 2021
The KDADS CARE team released the following message on PASSR extensions:

The PASRR suspension has been extended to January 23, 2020. Currently, unless we hear different from the federal government, this is the last day of suspension. What this means is that the PASRR special admissions, level I and level II must be in place before or on the date of services to any nursing facility in the state of Kansas. Nursing facilities will need to begin completing the special admission PASRR again and ensuring the level I is in place before admission to the nursing facility if the special admission is not an option. The nursing facilities and nursing facility for mental health will need to ensure level II PASRR are in place before admission to the facility. This is the grace period to begin following the normal protocols, procedures and timelines.

Nursing Facilities and Nursing Facilities for Mental Health, please assist the Area Agency on Aging Assessors and the HealthSource Integrated Assessors in getting the assessments completed and getting the proper paperwork signed for the assessments. Please note that not having the proper paperwork signed and having a medicaid client can stop, recoup, or suspend your payment from Medicaid. If you do not have the proper paperwork signed and in your clients file at your facility, you could possibly also receive tags from survey and certification upon survey. It is imperative to make sure this is completed.

If you are working at a nursing facility or nursing facility for mental health and you need PASRR training please request a link from the KDADS CARE Team at KDADS.CARE@ks.gov  We offer training once a month to nursing facilities so that procedures can be followed.

Area Agencies on Aging and Healthsource Integrated Solution assessors may continue to use telemedicine to complete assessments. Please request an extension if the assessment cannot be completed within your timeframes.

Hospital Assessors you may continue to complete assessments if you are a certified assessor from KDADS.

FEDERAL NEWS

Provider Relief Fund (PRF) News
The latest proposed federal Bipartisan COVID Relief Package that Congress is haggling over would:

  • Appropriate an additional $35 billion for provider relief. Of this amount, $7B would be dedicated to rural providers – includes all rural health care providers not just hospitals and would also be available for HCBS providers, nursing homes and AL — and $1B for tribal providers.
  • Clarify that lost revenues could be calculated using” any reasonable method, including a method that calculates the difference between the budgeted and actual revenue of the eligible health care provider on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.” This could resolve a number of concerns about HHS’s current approach to calculating losses on an annual basis and allow providers to normalize their revenues between 2019 and 2020 revenues. It also allows for lost revenues to be calculated up to a net gain or loss of zero in 2020 or for the first 6 months of 2021. This change would require the provider to attest to the lost revenues within 90 days of receipt of PRF payment. Also, clarifies that a provider cannot retain PRF dollars in excess of their health care related expenses and lost revenues attributable to coronavirus. Allow parent organizations to allocate PRF funds among their subsidiaries including targeted distributions, which would include Nursing Home Infection Control distributions and incentive payments.
  • Allows HHS to give preference to those at risk of imminent closure or who are in bankruptcy or were underrepresented in prior distributions.

Negotiations between House and Senate Leadership are ongoing.

Advocate for a Fix to Payment Cuts in the Physician Fee Schedule
 In response to the drastic cuts to services vital to care and quality of life of older adults that receive care funded through Medicare Part B, LeadingAge joined a sign-on letter with the Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative asking Congress to take action in a year-end legislative package to stop the cuts. Cuts would include payments for physician services, nurse practitioner services, rehabilitation therapy (physical and occupational therapy and speech-language pathology), x-ray, and a list of nearly 40 other specialty provider groups that furnish services to Medicare beneficiaries in and outside of nursing facilities. What can you do? Send a quick message to your Congressman/woman to urge support for H.R. 8702, the Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020, and to Senator Moran and Senator Roberts to urge them both to support the recently introduced companion legislation S. 5007. Get addresses here.

Not Too Late to Join ECHO COVID-19 Action Network
The AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network is still recruiting nursing homes from across the country, including Kansas, to participate in a virtual community of practice for improving COVID-19 preparedness, safety, and infection control. To learn more about the Kansas ECHO contact Jan Lyon jlyon@kumc.edu

LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS

Do You Have Temporary Aides Working in Your Building?
Please take this very brief survey of your use of Temporary Nurse Aides. Need your response before December 28th. Thank you.

Help Us Spread the News About Temporary Aides
Many members are experiencing extreme staffing shortages and need some help during and after outbreaks. KDADS has approved the use of Temporary Aides. Learn more and spread the news in your communities. The course to become a Temp Aide is free and only 8 hours. This is a great way to train new and existing staff to help out during this crisis.

COVID-19 Safety for CNAs Training Registration Now Open  
Registration is open for the COVID-19 Safety for Long Term Care CNAs training series. You don’t want your team to miss this unique training opportunity designed specifically for your CNAs. This won’t be your typical listen and learn training. It will be interactive, engaging, relevant, applicable, and fun! This no cost training is funded by a Susan Harwood grant through OSHA. Spaces are limited so sign your team up today. 

The five-week training series will feature a live, virtual session each week. During the sessions topic area expert trainers will present content, lead activities, and facilitate discussions. Participants will engage in hands on activities, scenario discussion and games to reinforce learning. It is designed to equip (or refresh) CNAs with the knowledge needed to be safe during COVID-19, help them develop skills to properly protect themselves (and others) and help them gain confidence in their ability to recognize safety concerns and advocate for safety during the pandemic. They will leave with a strong understanding of their role in safety.

To register or request more information visit https://www.research.net/r/CMKMGN3or e-mail stephanie@leadingagekansas.org 

Sign your team up and let us take a little of the education off your plate.

This material was produced under grant number SH-99033-SH0 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Weekly Webinars: Fridays at 10 AM
Special Guest Speakers this week include Scott Bruner from KDADS and Kendra Strum with Senior RX Pharmacy. Stay up to date on what is happening at the state and federal level regarding all things COVID-19 and vaccinations. Here is the link to register .

Coping with COVID Group Meeting – Mondays at Noon
We are gaining momentum with our Coping with COVID group meetings. Any member’s employees can participate each Monday at Noon by registering here. Drop in if you get a chance.

Outbreak?
Let Dana dana@leadingagekansas.org know if you are experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak and we have not reached out to you, yet. We want to be here for you.

LEADINGAGE NEWS

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Nicole Schings
Nicole Schings is the Director of Member Services and Business Development. Nicole joined the association in 2018, and oversees our Member Services program, our Partnership and Associate Member relationships, and our online education system. A graduate of Washburn University, Nicole uses her 22 years of experience in the association world to enhance the support of our members, problem solve their issues and bring new partners into the LeadingAge Kansas family. Outside of work, Nicole is passionate about geocaching and moments spent with her dog, Blu. You can reach Nicole directly at 785.670.8048.

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