Final Rule Imposes User Fees on Survey Revisits: Help Us End Them
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published the final rule to implement revisit user fees and verify correction for health care providers or suppliers cited for deficiencies under initial certification, recertification and substantiated complaint surveys. The rule was effective on Sept.19, and will apply to revisits conducted between that date and Sept.30, the end of fiscal 2007. We need to work together and make sure Congress terminates the fees after Sept.30. Please contact your legislators and urge them to end the fees so that more nursing homes don’t have to pay this unfair penalty. Contact: Evvie Munley, (202) 508-9478 on the rule, and Marsha Greenfield, (202) 508-9488 on congressional action

| Read the rule. |


Older Americans Act Programs Need More Money
For years, funding for the Older Americans Act programs, which pay for home- and community-based services (HCBS), has not kept up with inflation or the growing number of people using the services. But we have an opportunity to change that. Because Congress hasn't passed spending bills for the next fiscal year, we are urging your legislators increase funding HCBS programs, like in-home services, adult day programs, senior transportation that you provide. Contact: Peter Notarstefano, (202) 508-9406.

| Write your legislators. |


 

CMS Clarifies Cash Option for Medicaid Self-Directed Personal Care Services
CMS advised state Medicaid directors that under the optional self-direction Personal Assistance Services (PAS) program that went into effect this year, people with disabilities or chronic illnesses may hire relatives, coworkers or neighbors for personal assistance services in their homes. Beneficiaries may also use the PAS funding to purchase items that increase their independence. Finally, individuals who use the cash disbursement must manage their budgets for the services. States may include PAS in their Medicaid plans without a waiver request and are not required to offer the service statewide. Contact: Peter Notarstefano, (202) 508-9406.

| Find out more about the clarification. |


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There's Five Weeks Left Until AAHA's Annual Meeting, Are You Registered?
Our annual meeting, the largest aging-services event in North America, will kick off with Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel sharing his perspectives on a life worth living. Learn innovative approaches to fundraising from Claire Gaudiani, New York University professor of Philanthropy and fundraising expert. Hear Academy Award Winner® Sidney Poitier tell his story of overcoming a childhood in oppressive poverty to pursue his dream while remaining true to himself despite pressures to do otherwise. Get a glimpse into the hearts and minds of the 62 oldest people on earth through the lens of award-winning photographer Jerry Friedman from his powerful book, Earth's Elders. Bring your family to Orlando and enjoy an evening of entertainment with comedian Bill Cosby!

But it's not just about the general sessions. Sign up for more than 200 Education Sessions, earn Continuing Education credits and network with experts and peers alike. Don't delay. Register Today!
 

3,200 Covenant signers! Have you signed yet?

What Does Quality First Mean to You and Your Stakeholders?
AAHSA Quality First is about moving forward, together. That's why all stakeholders can see benefits. Quality First helps renew the focus on the residents/clients, validates the important role of staff and focuses on quality at the board level. This means providers can achieve and maintain excellence in management and governance. Additionally, Quality First changes the conversation from "crime and punishment" to "quality and innovation," allowing AAHSA and members like you to focus on the people we serve. Contact: Bruce Rosenthal, (202) 508-9499.

| Visit the AAHSA Quality First Web site. |
| Learn how Quality First can help you learn the trust of all stakeholders. |




Roll Up Your Sleeves: Flu Season is Coming!
Flu season begins in October and can run until April or May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that nursing homes and long-term care facilities residents as well as health care workers get a flu vaccination every year. Vaccinating employees helps reduce work time lost due to illness and vaccinating residents helps reduce the risk for serious health complications and hospitalizations. As you know, flu and pneumococcal vaccination rates are also recorded on the Minimum Data Set and reported nationally as quality measures on Nursing Home Compare. Contact: Karyn Downie, (202) 508-9410.

| View the QIO Immunization Toolkit. |
| Read the CMS Adult Immunizations Brochure. |
| See the CDC Immunization Information for Health Professionals. |

How Can You Get a Copy of the New HUD Occupancy Handbook?
Order it from AAHSA Bookstore. We're offering the entire new Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 Rev-1; Change 2 for the cost of print. Although the Handbook is available as a free download online from HUDclips, the sheer volume of chapters can make the process time- and cost-prohibitive. That's why we did the work for you. To order your copy, visit the AAHSA Bookstore and request item number AH002.

Study Results Favorable on Paid Feeding Assistants
CMS and the Agency for Health Care Quality and Research just released a report showing that paid feeding assistant programs are generally regarded as an improvement in resident dining, with no significant concerns noted. The "Study of Paid Feeding Assistant Programs" examined four major concerns: whether paid feeding assistants would be adequately trained and supervised to help residents, whether feeding assistants are allowed to help residents with complicated eating difficulties; whether feeding assistants are being improperly used in other care areas and whether feeding assistants are being used to replace, rather than augment, existing direct care staff. We advocated for the change in policy that allows properly trained non-nursing staff to help residents eat. Contact: Evvie Munley, (202) 508-9478.

| Read the study. |

NPI Registry and Training Package Now Available
The National Provider Identifier (NPI) registry and downloadable file are now available for you to use. A downloadable file of the registry is available. Finally, CMS developed a training package that describes how CMS will ensure that National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) data is available and the data that they are disclosing. Contact: Iara Woody, (202) 508-9429.

Have a Computer Lab? Use it to Help Seniors in Your Community with Medicare
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) recently launched the "My Medicare Matters" Navigator pilot project to help people with Medicare to learn more about Medicare, Part D and computers at organizations like yours. Organizations that participate will receive training and technical assistance.

| Start your organization's application. |

New Organization to Advocate for Quality End-of-Life Care
The Social Work Hospice & Palliative Care Network (SWHPN) was recently established to unite care professionals, consumers and stakeholder organizations in the field of hospice, palliative and end-of-life care on a national level. SWHPN is currently developing a Web site featuring resources for patients, families, and professionals about this important topic.

| Learn more about SWHPN. |
| Subscribe to the SWHPN e-newsletter. |

 
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AAHSA's Money-Saving Programs: Beyond Savings

Five Easy Ways to Improve Your Facility
How? Guard your corners, upgrade your handrails, defend your walls, preserve your wall surfaces and protect doors and frames. Our partner, Deco Link, help you make all five updates in a functional and eye-appealing way. Deco Link Contact: Jim McLain, (800) 304-2234.

| Read articles with more expert advice. |

 


New Opportunities Available on AAHSA's JobMart
Several career opportunities in aging services are now available and listed on Job Mart. Take a look. Pass along the news. If you have a job to post, consider using AAHSA Job Mart. Contact: Phillip Blackmon, (202) 508-9404.

| Download the form to post a job. | Visit the AAHSA JobMart. |

Jobs posted in the past week (Sept. 14-20) are:

Administrator
Administrator - San Diego, Calif.

Marketing/Sales/Business Office
Director of Sales / Marketing - North Fla.

Other
Vice President of Project Development - Mt. Laurel, N.J.
Food & Beverage Director - Savannah, Ga.



 

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