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MedPAC Will Recommend No 2009 Payment Update for Nursing Homes, Home Health Agencies
Last week, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) voted to accept its staff's recommendation against a payment update for long-term care providers in fiscal year 2009. The report that MedPAC submits to Congress in March also will call for a pay-for-performance program and better quality measures for nursing facilities. Because the Medicare legislation Congress passed last month only provided temporary reimbursement relief for physicians, Congress will consider a new Medicare bill this spring. We are working hard to make sure that the legislation does not withhold the annual payment update for nursing homes and home health agencies. Contact: Marsha Greenfield, (202) 508-9488.


Proposed Quality Measures for Medicare Special Needs Plans
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) released a proposed set of structure and process measures for Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) for public comment. The measures examine how SNPs set up case management programs for members with complex needs and how they improve clinical care and patient experience. CMS also will require the plans to begin reporting on 13 health care effectiveness data and information set measures to assess clinical performance. The deadline for comments is Jan. 18. Contact: Peter Notarstefano, (202) 508-9406.
Review and comment on the proposed measures.

MDS 3.0 Special Open Door Forum – Registration Closed, Recording Will be Available
Registration for CMS' MDS 3.0 Special Open Door Forum on Jan. 24 is closed. Starting Jan. 30, a recording will be available for 30 days. Watch for a summary of the forum in a future issue of AAHSA This Week and on the AAHSA website. Contact: Karyn Downie, (202) 508-9410.

Proposed Rule Would Allow Interference in CMP Decisions
We are very concerned about a proposed rule which could affect skilled nursing facilities' appeals against civil money penalties (CMP) and other enforcement remedies. The proposed rule, published on Dec. 28, would authorize the Secretary of the U.S. Department Health and Human Services to review Departmental Appeals Board hearing decisions and reverse or remand decisions in which it is determined that there was an "error in the application of law or published guidance" such that the decision did not "accurately reflect the considered views of the Secretary." Members of our Legal Committee and staff are preparing comments opposing this proposed rule. Contact: Jennifer Hilliard, (202) 508-9444.

HUD Clarifies Physical Inspection Standards and Practices
Starting Jan. 1, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) physical inspections must be conducted according to the standards and practices outlined a new document, the REAC Compilation Bulletin, Revision 1. This publication addresses several issues of priority interest to AAHSA members, including restored emphasis on functionality rather than cord length for calls-for-aide, and on original covers on electrical panels, although the issue of panels in locked rooms has not been fully resolved. Contact: Colleen Bloom, (202) 508-9483.
Read the guidance.


Audioconference Offers Look at Person-Centered Care Options for Your Community
Do you want to know more about the growing emphasis on person-centered care in aging services? Then join us on Jan. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m., Eastern Time for an audioconference devoted to this important topic. On the call, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of THE GREEN HOUSE® model and other person-centered care concepts as well as the steps necessary to incorporate these service methods services into your community. You will also hear about successes and challenges other AAHSA members faced integrating person-centered care into their work for older adults. Sign up now to save you and your staff a spot. Contact: Nataki Goodall, (202) 508-9471.
Register online for the audioconference.
Print a PDF to register by mail or fax.

Save the date for next month's audio conferences:

Disruptive Residents and the Law: What You Need to Know, Thurs., Feb. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m., Eastern Time

and

Unnecessary Antipsychotic Medication Use in LTC Facilities: CMS Requirements and AAHSA Member Innovations, Thurs., Feb. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m., Eastern Time

3,200 Covenant signers! Have you signed yet?

New Quality First Guidelines Available This Week
Two new Guidelines are now available to help you achieve excellence and earn public trust in your work. The first Guideline provides guidance on developing a conflict of interest policy for your trustees/board of directors. The second advises best practices on developing and updating your Web site. New Guidelines, which have corresponding quality characteristics in the Aging-Services Providers' Checklist for AAHSA Quality First, are coming every week in January to help you on your journey to put quality first. Contact: Bruce Rosenthal, (202) 508-9499.
View all of the available Guidelines.

Check out the Most Popular Tools and the Top Viewed Resources on the Quality First Web site.


CMS Updates MDS Resident Assessment Instrument User's Manual
CMS has made minor updates to the nursing home Minimum Data Set Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User's Manual for sections I (Disease Diagnoses), K (Oral/Nutritional Status), L (Oral/Dental Status), M (Skin Condition) and contact information in Appendix B. These changes were effective Jan. 1. Contact: Karyn Downie, (202) 508-9410.
See the updates.

New PowerPoint® Features Guidance on Pain Management
The Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes campaign sponsored a Webinar last week about improving pain management. More than 3,000 nursing home staff participated. The PowerPoint® from the Webinar, Improving Pain Management by Using the Advancing Excellence Campaign Frameworks, is now available. Also, visit the Campaign's Web site from more quality improvement resources. Nursing homes can register for the Advancing Excellence campaign and track their progress on the campaign goals. Contact: Bruce Rosenthal, (202) 508-9499.


AAHSA Money-Saving Programs: Beyond Savings

Partner Offers Free Assessment of Your Janitorial Needs
AmSan, one of AAHSA's new group purchasing partners, is committed to offering our members cleaner facilities at a lower cost. That's why they are offering you the opportunity to have a complete facilities survey at no cost. Use the results to discover how AmSan can help your organization become a cleaner, safer and healthier place at a price you can afford. Contact: Lannie Lohnes, (800) 279-6644.
Learn more about AmSan.

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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 (Jan. 4 - 10):

CEO/President/Executive Director
Executive Director - San Rafael, Calif.
Executive Director - Rockville, Md.
Executive Director - Oakland, Calif.

Finance
Corporate Controller - North Side Chicago, Ill.

Marketing/Sales/Business Office
Development/Community Relations Coordinator - Hackettstown, N.J.
Marketing Counselor - Chicago/Deerfield, Ill.
Sales - Mission, Kan.

Nursing/Healthcare
Director of Nursing - Rockville, Md.
Director of Nursing - Fraser, Mich.
Director Social Services - West Palm Beach, Fla.

Other
Leadership Coach - Rochester, N.Y.
Vice President Operations - Rochester, N.Y.
Development & P.R. Specialist - Telford, Pa.
Director of Development - Manheim, Pa.
Assisted Living Director - Hampton Roads, Va.
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer - High Point, N.C.


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American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
2519 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
phone 202.783.2242, fax 202.783.2255