Blog
Archive February 2023
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CMS Proposed Rule on Nursing Home Ownership Transparency
- By: Angela Westhoff
- On: 02/15/2023 16:41:47
- In: Quality/Regulatory
The reporting would be required upon initial enrollment and revalidation or as a part of any change of ownership. Medicare and Medicaid facilities would use CMS Form CMS-885A. For Medicaid-only nursing facilities, the data would be reported using a state-established method.
CMS is further proposing several definitions to assist nursing homes in furnishing the requested data. This includes, for purposes of Medicare enrollment, definitions of private equity company and real estate investment trust.
CMS intends to make the reported data publicly available if this rule is finalized. However, it would provide more information after the final rule is published regarding the timing, vehicle, and content of this publication.
CMS’ fact sheet? includes additional information on the proposal. AHCA will continue to review the proposed rule and engage relevant member groups in our comment development as well as any other follow-up determined necessary.
Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org
MHCA Legislative Update for February 16
- By: Angela Westhoff
- On: 02/15/2023 16:41:08
- In: Legislative/Government Affairs
MHCA also asked the Committee for an extension on the use of the current $25 million in supplemental payments to be used through June 30, 2024 so if approved both allocations will be available to facilities to use through June 30, 2024.
LD 206 was voted out Ought to Pass as Amended. This is an emergency bill so with a 2/3 vote of each chamber, the bill would take effect the date of the Governor signs it. MHCA will keep members updated on this.
Public hearings on the Biennial Budget (LD 258) are already underway. Sections pertaining to long term care are scheduled for Wednesday, February 22nd (subject to change).
On February 14, the Health and Human Services Committee held work sessions on two bills of note to long term care providers. LD 99, An Act to Clarify the Allowable Temperature Range in Certain Long-term Care Facilities was voted out Ought Not to Pass with a report back to the committee by January 2024. The Division of Licensing and Certification will be tracking resident complaints on temperature and will report back to the Committee.
The committee also held a work session on LD 251, A Resolve, to Classify Employee Health Insurance as a Fixed Cost for MaineCare Reimbursement in Nursing Facilities. The bill was tabled in anticipation of additional bills coming before the committee dealing with long term care rate reform.
Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org
Does your team understand your CMS Five Star Quality Rating?
- By: Karen Michaud
- On: 02/14/2023 12:06:49
- In: Education
MHCA's webinar, CMS Five Star: Methodology & Improvement Strategies, will be hosted on April 12, 2023 from 1-2:00PM (using the Zoom platform). For details, you may click here to visit the event page on our website.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to me at 207.623.1146 (ext. 216) or use the link below to send me an email.
Staff Contact: kmichaud@mehca.org
National Skilled Nursing Care Week
- By: Dianne Chicoine
- On: 02/14/2023 10:07:14
- In: Special Events
“Cultivating Kindness" announced as the theme for National Skilled Nursing Care Week® (NSNCW) from May 14 - 20, 2023. Created by AHCA in 1967, the annual observance celebrates the essential role that skilled nursing care centers serve in providing safe and effective 24-hour nursing care to millions of individuals each year.
Skilled nursing care centers around the country are encouraged to host events that celebrate the individuals who reside, work, and volunteers while adhering to infection control requirements and precautions in place for COVID-19.
On February 21, the products and a planning guide will be available. Share your stories and acts of kindness throughout the year on social media with the hashtag #NSNCW. Follow National Skilled Nursing Care Week page on Facebook.
Staff contact: dchicoine@mehca.org
Staff contact: dchicoine@mehca.org
MaineCare Rate Reform Meetings Have Begun
- By: Ben Hawkins
- On: 02/09/2023 13:27:08
- In: State Agency News
Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org
CMS Resources on Strengthening the Direct Care Workforce
- By: Ben Hawkins
- On: 02/09/2023 11:14:20
- In: Workforce
- Recruiting, Selecting, and Retaining Direct Service Workers to Provide Self-directed Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): Online training that provides information to people who self-direct or wish to self-direct their HCBS and others interested in finding, hiring, and retaining workers.
- Strengthening the Direct Service Workforce in Rural Areas: Report that summarizes the challenges of ensuring an adequate workforce in rural areas and strategies that state Medicaid and partner agencies and rural stakeholders can use to deliver high-quality HCBS.
- The Self-direction Briefing Paper Series: Resources designed for policymakers and stakeholders to inform conversation and policy on HCBS self-direction.
Check out: ACL's Direct Care Workforce Page
Supporting and strengthening the direct care workforce is a priority for ACL. Living in the community and participating fully in community life often depends on the availability of services and supports provided by this workforce. Visit our direct care workforce webpage to find more federal resources focused on recruiting, training, retention, and self-direction.MHCA Continues to Work at the State House
- By: Ben Hawkins
- On: 02/09/2023 10:59:55
- In: Legislative/Government Affairs
One highlight was our testimony in support of LD 251 - Resolve, to Classify Employee Health Insurance as a Fixed Cost for MaineCare Reimbursement in Nursing Facilities and neither for nor against LD 99 - An Act to Clarify the Allowable Temperature Range in Certain Long-term Care Facilities. Wanda Pelkey, Mike Tyler, Mary Jane Richards, and Ben Hawkins spoke before the committee to elucidate the state of long term care in Maine. MHCA sincerely appreciates Wanda, Mike, and Mary Jane for taking the time to share their valuable perspectives with these legislators.
The appearance resulted in a positive Maine News Center clip. Click here to view and read the segment.
Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org
Reminder: Contact CMS about Potential Minimum Staffing Requirements
- By: Ben Hawkins
- On: 02/09/2023 10:46:37
- In: Legislative/Government Affairs
If you haven't contacted CMS yet, we recommend doing so by February 28. Below is an overview of how to do so. Additionally, AHCA updated the 2023 Q1 Your Top Line report on LTC Trend Tracker. This report notes your current staffing ratio, which can be used to help illustrate in your letter to CMS how much an increased requirement (which is likely to be 4.1 hours per resident day) would be an added strain on your hiring needs. Click here to learn more about how the trend tracker can enhance your testimony.
We aim to shape the proposal before it comes out on May 1.
- AHCA asks we submit a comment by February 28.
- All NF staff, including frontline workers, are encouraged to submit comments
- Make comments personalized to drive home message.
- Use own circumstances and examples
- Focus on our patients and residents
- Explain who you are
- What you do & how long you have been in this line of work
- Why you work in LTC
- Describe your building
- Location, # of units. profile of your residents’ needs
- Your commitment to quality
- Mention any AHCA Quality Award or other award you have received
- Explain what your residents mean to you and your team
- Workforce not available
- Explain how difficult it is to get workers
- Recruitment challenges
- How many open positions
- Inability to fill shifts
- Asks of CMS
- Don’t do this.
- Or if they do it, then phase it in as the workforce comes back
- Any requirement must be paid entirely by Medicaid and Medicare
- Include a broad definition of staff under the requirement
- Staff other than nurses still offer valuable care to our residents
- Note that LTC sector still trying to recover from the COVID pandemic
- Don’t do this.
- Send through AHCA/NCAL website (https://www.votervoice.net/AHCA/Campaigns/99591/Respond)
- This is the preferred option as it helps AHCA share your testimony with other interested parties
- Or submit to healthandsafetyinquiries@cms.hhs.gov
- Please send a copy to AHCA: gr@ahca.org
Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org
Register Now for 2023 AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit
- By: Angela Westhoff
- On: 02/09/2023 10:18:51
- In: Announcements/Reminders
For more information click here.
Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org
New Long COVID Resource Available
- By: Angela Westhoff
- On: 02/09/2023 10:18:26
- In: COVID-19
Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org