The Lead February 2, 2023
From the Desk of Angela Schnepf, President and CEO
Top Stories:
Governor to End COVID Public Health Emergency on May 11
OSHA Providing No Cost Confidential Consultations
Impending Deadlines
Supportive Living:
LeadingAge Illinois Submits Comments on HFS Proposed SLP Rules
Nursing and Rehabilitation:
Incentive Payments List Released
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS):
LeadingAge Met with CMS on Home Health Payment Data Release
Other:
Get Connected! Emerging Leaders Group Lunch & Learn
From the Desk of Angela Schnepf, President and CEO
Governor Pritzker officially signed the healthcare omnibus bill that was passed during the very short lame duck session. This bill included postponing fines for falling short of staffing minimums – saving members potentially millions of dollars during this workforce crisis. In an economy in which there are approximately 10.5 million job openings and only 5.7 million job seekers, LeadingAge Illinois believes implementing staffing fines punishes nursing homes for worker shortages that are out of their control. In the meantime, we will continue to work on solutions to this ongoing workforce crisis.
Kindest regards,
Angela
Governor to End COVID Public Health Emergency on May 11
Governor Pritzker, aligning with the federal government, has announced he will end the COVID Public Health Emergency on May 11. LeadingAge Illinois will be in communications with the Governor’s Office and the Illinois Departments of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services on any changes or providers coming out of the emergency.
OSHA Providing No Cost Confidential Consultations
Some senior living communities in other states have shared that they took advantage of an OSHA no-cost consultation program and found the experience helpful. Per OSHA – “OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small- and medium-sized businesses. On-Site Consultation services are separate from enforcement. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice for compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs.” Visit https://www.osha.gov/consultation for more information.
Impending Deadlines
Each week, we will keep you abreast of important deadlines.
- February 8: Hospice CAHPS Survey Data Submission Deadline: The data submission deadline for patients that passed away in July, August, and September 2022 (Quarter 3 2022) is February 8, 2023. Survey vendors are responsible for successfully submitting files by 10:59 p.m. CST on February 8, 2023. Survey vendors and hospices will receive an email indicating CAHPS Hospice Survey Data Submission Reports are available for viewing in their respective folders in the CAHPS Hospice Survey Data Warehouse. Reports will be posted by 5:00 p.m. CST on the next business day after submission by the survey vendor.
- February 21: Final Opportunity for Providers to Request Reconsideration of Phase 4 and ARP Rural Payments: HRSA is working swiftly to wrap up all PRF and ARP Rural payments to providers. Therefore, providers who believe their Phase 4 and/or ARP Rural payment was calculated incorrectly have one last chance to submit a payment reconsideration request by February 21, 2023 at 10:59 p.m. CST. All providers have had at least 45 days from the date of their Phase 4 and/or ARP Rural payment determination notification to submit a reconsideration request. For more information visit thePayment Reconsideration webpage.
LeadingAge Illinois Submits Comments on HFS Proposed SLP Rules
LeadingAge Illinois has submitted comments on the recent proposed changes (see Page 19321) to the Supportive Living Program (SLP) rules by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). If you have any questions, contact Jason Speaks, director of government relations.
Incentive Payments List Released
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) recently released the long term care incentive payments payor list for July-October.
LeadingAge Met with CMS on Home Health Payment Data Release
LeadingAge met with CMS on January 27 to obtain information on the release of data required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. At this time, CMS is on track to meet the legislatively mandated deadlines which require a public stakeholder meeting 90 days after the enactment of the legislation. CMS is looking at using an Open Door Forum style format to allow for a more inclusive atmosphere. Additionally, the legislation states CMS must publicly release of the electronic data files showing CMS’ simulation of payment from PPS to PDGM as well as actual behavior changes 30 days prior to the stakeholder meeting. CMS is committed to releasing as much data as possible. LeadingAge shared a list of data elements which would be most useful to including in the electronic files to better understand how these aggregate payment adjustments impact the patient populations served by LeadingAge members. CMS is looking forward to a collaborative conversation but cautions that agencies should not have a false sense of reassurance that based on the release methodological changes are forthcoming. CMS is committed to transparency but also has an obligation to implement statutorily required aggregate adjustments. LeadingAge hopes to analyze the data to develop targeted approaches to payment policy that represent our member organizations.
Get Connected! Emerging Leaders Group Lunch & Learn Join us February 24 from 12-1pm for our Lunch & Learn with guest speaker, Dana Wollschlager, Partner & Practice Leader, Plante Moran Living Forward presenting on the ‘Future of Senior Living’. Dana brings nearly 30 years of experience in the senior living and care industry. She has overseen the development of more than $500 million in new construction, including 1,400 units of senior housing and skilled nursing within the last five years. Dana’s expertise covers a wide area of disciplines ranging from design and construction oversight, financing, and regulatory compliance to on-site operations and management. Her development projects comprise a variety of senior living communities in urban and rural settings, including greenfield new construction, significant campus expansions, and remodeling projects. If you’d like to attend, but aren’t signed-up yet, contact LeadingAge Illinois.
Not yet a member of the Emerging Leaders group? Join for 2023!
If you’re a LeadingAge Illinois member and are interested in growing your leadership skills and peer network, join the Emerging Leaders group, Save the date for these upcoming 2023 Lunch & Learn Schedule sessions.
Join us for a monthly Emerging Leaders Lunch & Learn on the “Final Friday” (last Friday of each month) from 12pm-1pm. Brought to you by LeadingAge Illinois in collaboration with Emma Imes, Director, Strategic Initiatives of Mather and Laura Edwards, Vice President of Strategy and Innovation, ClarkLindsey.