TESTING
LeadingAge National Weekly Recap: Updates on Testing Information
Check out the most recent weekly nursing home recap from LeadingAge National which includes some important updates on the CMS testing mandate learned by national staff during their weekly call with the agency.
LEADINGAGE KANSAS
Don’t Forget to Sign Up for our Friday Webinars This Week Will Include FFCRA Presentation
Cory Macdonald, JD will present on the DOL’s new rule on Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to clarify workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities under the FFCRA’s paid leave provisions. Here is the link to register and we look forward to seeing you all on Friday.
FEDERAL
Updated Home Health Quality Reporting Program (QRP) COVID-19 Public Reporting (PR) Tip Sheet is Available
The Home Health COVID-19 PR Tip Sheet is now available. The purpose of this Tip Sheet is to help providers understand CMS’ public reporting strategy for the PAC QRP in the midst of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). This Tip Sheet explains the CMS strategy to account for CMS quality data which were exempted from public reporting due to COVID-19, and the impact on CMS’ Home Health Agency (HHA) Compare website refreshes. Please navigate to the Home Health QRP Training webpage to download this document.
STATE
New PPE Available from KDEM
The Kansas Department of Emergency Management sent out the following announcement to Kansas adult care homes:
Due to the timing of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Task Force meeting and approval from the State Finance Council (SFC), the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) will be extending an additional opportunity to Kansas Department on Aging and Disabilities (KDADS) licensed adult care homes to apply for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
This is a temporary stopgap that will supplement adult care home supplies until KDADS executes a scope of work with a vendor after State Finance Council approval. (See KDADS Long-Term Care PPE and Testing Requirements document dated September 10, 2020 for information).
Requests will be accepted from September 12 through September 20. Quantities are dependent on the number of staff providing direct care for an estimated 21-day supply. Duplicate requests will not be accepted.
Requests may be made for the following:
- N95 masks
- KN95 masks
- 3 ply masks
- Disposable gowns
- Cloth gowns
- Face shields
Interested facilities can apply at: //kdem.kansasgis.org/ppesurvey
PASSR Suspension Extended to October 21, 2020
KDADS CARE program sent the following message to Kansas nursing homes:
Hello,
Greetings from the KDADS CARE Program.
At this time the entire CARE Team is currently working remote. You may reach us by email at KDADS.CARE@ks.gov or fax 785-291-3427 or you may call the program manager Anne, at 785-506-9609 if you have an urgent request or need immediate assistance. Please remember the hours of operation for the CARE Program are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Phone calls and emails will be returned within that time frame.
The PASRR suspension has been extended to October 21, 2020. What this means is that a person may enter a nursing facility(NF) or nursing facility for mental health(NFMH) , should they so choose, without a PASRR Level I on file. However, if they are going to stay in the facility for longer than 30 days from the date of admission, the nursing facility and nursing facility for mental health will need to call the local AAA (Phone list attached) and get a level I on file. If it triggers for a level II then KDADS will continue the level II process and complete the level II and send the determination letter. If the person does not trigger for a level II and if the person is already in an nursing facility for mental health, KDADS CARE will issue a letter that states they did not qualify for the level II and that the NFMH has 6 months to a year to safely discharge the person from the NFMH. A PASRR MUST be on file, please do not wait to call the AAA until the suspension is over, There are only 30 days to get the PASRR on file and it will effect nursing facility medicaid payments if you wait.
If a level II client in the nursing facility already, the resident reviews are not suspended please complete the resident review check list (attached) and send it in to the KDADS care program via email at KDADS.CARE@ks.gov or by fax 785-291-3427 so we can get it processed on time.
Hospital Assessors that are trained and approved to complete the level I CARE assessment may do so. Please ensure you are having the client, guardian or DPOA of healthcare sign the proper forms, and if the person triggers for a level II PASRR, you will need to gather all the proper paperwork and send it in to the KDADS CARE staff via email at KDADS.CARE@ks.gov or by fax at 785-291-3427. Should you have any questions about who can and cannot sign, you may refer to the CARE Manual 2019 (attached) beginning on page 17.
Nursing Facilities and Nursing Facilities for Mental Health, Please assist the AAA assessors in 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 still need technical equipment for your clients to contact families and friends or to help complete an assessment, please go to the KDADS website www.kdads.ks.gov and make sure to apply for the grant to get assistance with purchasing I-pads and laptops.
KDADS Shares COVID Activity Update with SPARK Committee
In response to inquiries about what KDADS has been doing to comply with HB 2016 requirements to provide PPE to adult care homes and to distribute the $38 million in SPARK funds to nursing homes, KDADS released a summary of their agency activities so far in 2020.
