The Lead October 19, 2023
From the Desk of Angela Schnepf, President and CEO
Now is a great time for LeadingAge members to have a conversation with their residents, clients, customers and their families about their Medicare options. Providers can share information about what Medicare Advantage and Special Needs Plans they contract with and why. More details on what providers can do in these conversations can be found in this LeadingAge article.
Thank you,
Kindest regards,
Angela
Top Stories
Evenglow Senior Living Hosts Legislative Visit in Pontiac
Evenglow Senior Living in Pontiac hosted freshman State Representative Dennis Tipsword (R-105th District; Pontiac) on Wednesday.
It was his first visit to the community, where he had the chance to meet with staff and residents as well as tour their new assisted living and memory care, which residents moved into in June. “I see why folks want to come here, it makes sense,” said Tipsword during a tour. He learned all about the services and care provided at the community, including their stay over program in which seniors live at the community during the winter months.
Tipsword is on the healthcare licenses committee, a key House committee. Therefore, it was a great opportunity for him to visit a senior living community to learn more about the he field and care and services.
If you would like to establish a relationship with your legislators and host a visit, contact Jason Speaks, director of government relations.
HFS and DoA to have new Directors
Theresa Eagleson is leaving her post as director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and Paula Basta is retiring as director of the Illinois Department on Aging (DoA). We will keep you updated on new directors and immediately work to build a relationship with the new directors when they are put in place by the Governor.
Medicaid Ready to Renew Toolkit
The Ready to Renew messaging toolkit be found at the Ready to Renew Toolkit Webpage of HFS or document from IAMHP. You can use these materials through your communication channels to help people who use Medicaid get ready to renew their coverage.
This week, Governor Pritzker held a press conference to reaffirm Illinois’ commitment to protect coverage for eligible Medicaid customers, as annual eligibility verifications resume. Medicaid customers haven’t been through a redetermination in over three years, which is why it’s so important that they’re ready when their renewal date comes up. We are firmly committed to offering as much assistance as customers need to get through this process because the State wants everyone who is eligible for Medicaid to continue to be covered, without any disruption. Click here for the full press release.
Impending Deadlines
December 1: Census data for the 4th quarter (July 1 – September 30, 2023) is due to the Department no later than the close of business on December 1, 2023. Census data must be submitted to the Department at DPH.LTCDailyCensus@illinois.gov Failure to submit a required daily census report by the close of business on December 1, 2023 will result in the Department calculating staffing requirements utilizing the facility’s number of licensed beds and the skilled direct care staffing ratio. If you have questions, contact Jason Speaks.
Nursing/Rehabilitation
LTC Cost Reports
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has made the most recent cost reports available.
Housing
HUD Announces ConnectHome Expansion to Multifamily Housing
On October 18, HUD announced an expansion and restructuring of the agency’s ConnectHome USA (CHUSA) initiative, which aims to support affordable housing properties to bridge the digital divide. LeadingAge had previously sent a letter to HUD urging the agency to “make every effort to expand internet capacity across the portfolio for the benefit of both projects and residents,” including by expanding the ConnectHome program.
The expansion marks the first time since 2020 that HUD is accepting new properties into the program, and the first time that HUD is explicitly recruiting properties participating in HUD’s Multifamily Housing programs, like Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly. HUD intends to accept between 50-100 new properties into the program for a three-year commitment. Participating properties will have access to third-party technical assistance, as well as HUD-provided training and education opportunities. HUD will accept letters of intent from properties starting in mid-December through February 15, 2024.
Register for LeadingAge Member HOTMA Policy Update Call, October 24
On October 24 at 1 p.m. ET, LeadingAge will host a policy update call on the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA). HOTMA is a major new housing rule that impacts tenant rent calculations, recertifications, asset limits, and more. The policy call will cover recent compliance deadline changes issued by HUD in response to LeadingAge advocacy. We will also discuss outstanding questions from members to prioritize during future HOTMA trainings. LeadingAge housing providers can register for this members-only call here. Please note this is not an in-depth training, but rather a policy update call for LeadingAge members. Reach out to Juliana Bilowich with questions.
HUD Awards $160M for New Section 202 Homes
On October 2, HUD announced $160.1 million in awards to 25 nonprofit organizations, including 11 LeadingAge members, to build and preserve affordable housing for older adults with very low incomes through the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program. This is the third round of awards since Congress revived funding for the program in 2018 after several years of zero funding for new Section 202 homes. LeadingAge championed advocacy efforts to bring the Section 202 program back because of its unique attributes: households’ incomes are never too low to live in Section 202 housing; rent for each household is based on that household’s income and fluctuates as necessary to continuously provide affordable, stable housing; about half of existing and all newly awarded Section 202 communities have service coordinators who connect residents to the services and supports needed to successfully age in community.
“HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program, unique for its focus on older adults and a demonstrated success in ensuring positive outcomes, is a program we fought hard to revive. We’re thrilled that these funds are being distributed, and proud to support our members around the country who serve low-income older adults in affordable housing communities,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO, LeadingAge, said in our statement. Read HUD’s press release here.
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
Home Health CAHPS Survey Preview Reports Now Available
Home health agencies (HHAs) Preview Reports reflecting results from the Home Health Care CAHPS (HHCAHPS) Survey from April 2022 through March 2023 (Q2,2022-Q1,2023) are now available. These same data will be updated on Medicare’s compare tool in late October 2023. The Preview Reports present the publicly reported results, which also include star ratings for those agencies with data for 40 or more patient surveys in the 4-quarter reporting period.
OTHER
Help Set the LeadingAge Illinois 2024 Public Policy Priorities
LeadingAge Illinois had a successful legislative session in 2023, unanimously passing a number of our member-driven public policy priorities. The 2024 session will be here before we know it and we have been putting together our 2024 priorities and will continue to seek solutions to member challenges.
We need your input. Let us know what barriers and challenges you are facing due to statutes and regulations limiting you from continuing to provide the highest level of care and services to older adults. Send your ideas and feedback to Jason Speaks, director of government relations.