Lead May 12 2022 - LeadingAge Illinois

Nursing and Rehabilitation:
NHSN Reporting Alerts
NHSN Changes and Training
New SNF PPS Rule Resource Page

Housing:
White House Announces Free Internet Under Affordable Connectivity Program

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS):
Home Health Value Based Purchasing Measure Resources

Other:
U.S. News “Best of Senior Living” Report

Top Stories:
Letter Writing Campaign on Skilled Nursing Facility Rule
On April 11, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its 2023 Skilled Nursing Facility proposed payment rule that would cut provider reimbursements by $320 million. We know that the time for nursing home improvements is now—but true change requires new resources, not a funding cut.

Help ensure all the voices of all LeadingAge members are heard! Tell CMS how damaging lower Medicare reimbursement rates would be—especially as nursing homes are dealing with increased pandemic expenses and the ongoing staffing crisis.

Contact CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure here.

1135 Federal Blanket Waivers for Nursing Homes
The first round of 1135 blanket waivers terminated recently, including waivers related to physician visits and physician delegation of tasks. See the LeadingAge blanket waivers chart here to help stay up to date with what waivers are in play. The next round of waivers, including the nurse aide training waiver, will terminate on June 6. At this time, the Qualifying Hospital Stay (3-day stay) waiver remains in effect until the end of the national public health emergency.

Staffing Ratios Census
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is requiring each skilled nursing facility to complete the staffing ratios census spreadsheet and submit to the Department on a quarterly basis. Fully completed spreadsheets should be submitted to DPH.LTCDailyCensus@illinois.gov. The CY2022 Q1 Direct Care Staffing Ratio spreadsheet should be completed and returned to the Department no later than June 1 at 5 p.m., CST.

Nursing and Rehabilitation:

NHSN Reporting Alerts
NHSN recently emailed providers with a reminder to submit COVID-19 vaccination data by May 16. This email relates specifically to reporting for the SNF Quality Reporting Program and would require submission of the Monthly Reporting Plan in NHSN. However, recall that CDC has temporarily delayed the Monthly Reporting Plan for SNFs to September 25, 2022. Therefore, you do not need to take any additional action at this time. The COVID vaccination data you submit on a weekly basis will automatically transmit to the SNF QRP until further notice.

NHSN Changes and Training

The NHSN changes are coming. Previously announced for May 23, we received communication today that changes are scheduled for implementation on May 30. CDC has announced 4 training opportunities for these changes. You must register in advance.

Updates to LTCF COVID-19 Module and COVID-19 Vaccination Module

May 17, 2022, 12:00 – 1:30 pm CST

May 19, 2022, 12:00 – 1:30 pm CST

Updates to LTCF COVID-19 Module ONLY (no COVID-19 Vaccination Module)

May 24, 2022, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

May 26, 2022, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

New SNF PPS Rule Resource Page
LeadingAge has created a separate webpage for resources related to the FY 2023 SNF PPS Proposed Rule. On this page, you will find the LeadingAge summaries of the rule, a letter writing campaign Action Alert, and tips for commenting on the rule. Access the page here. Some resources on this page require LeadingAge login. Members who do not currently have a LeadingAge login can go here to create one using their work email addresses.

Housing:

White House Announces Free Internet Under Affordable Connectivity Program
The White House and HUD announced improvements and expansion of the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The White House has negotiated broadband packages of $30 a month or less, which after the ACP program’s $30 discount, would make these programs free for ACP participants. Also on May 9, HUD reiterated that participation in the ACP will not impact eligibility for HUD programs or tenant rent determinations. Read more in this article.

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS):

Home Health Value Based Purchasing Measure Resources
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new resources for home health agencies on the expansion of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Program. For more information read this article.

Other:

U.S. News “Best of Senior Living” Report
U.S. News and World Report published a “Best of Senior Living” report that lists and rates aging services providers in Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Continuing Care Retirement Community categories. We wrote an article that reviews important components of that study, ranging from how the data is gathered, to the listings and ratings process, and shares the key fact that all providers – regardless of participation – will have webpages for their organization hosted with U.S. News. These webpages will lead the potential consumer either to a third-party consumer broker, or to the provider organization itself, depending on whether that provider participated in the report.