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Therapy Caps Extension Process Continued Through June 30
Medicare beneficiaries with a documented medical need for outpatient physical, speech or occupational therapy exceeding the annual caps on coverage may continue to qualify for exceptions through the end of June. This year’s caps are $1,810 for combined physical therapy and speech-language pathology services and another $1,810 for occupational therapy services. We will continue to support a repeal of the caps or at least a longer extension of the exceptions process. Contact: Iara Woody, (202) 508-9429.
| Find out more about how the automatic execptions process works. |


CMS Forum Shows Positive Improvements in the MDS 3.0
Last week, The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) hosted a special Open Door Forum to explain their validation study on the Minimum Data Set 3.0. The MDS 3.0 improves the ability to assess items it is intended to assess (validity) and document the same results each time when assessing the same event (inter-rater reliability). Nurses testing the MDS 3.0 reported greater satisfaction, decreased completion time and increased knowledge of residents and their preferences. The new MDS also includes revisions and improvements to many sections and items including pressure ulcers, pain, cognitive and mood assessment. CMS will post a recording of the forum on Jan. 30. The MDS 3.0 will be implemented in October 2009. Contact: Karyn Downie, (202) 508-9410.
| See a PowerPoint from the forum. |

New Survey and Cert Letter on Use of Interpretive Guidance
CMS issued a new survey and certification letter on Jan. 18 clarifying surveyors’ use of the State Operations Manual (SOM) interpretive guidelines for the purpose of determining compliance with the Long-term Care Requirements of Participation. The letter makes clear that surveyors must cite all deficiencies based on violations of statutory and/or regulatory requirements. The memo also clarifies the distinction in the guidelines between "permissive duties and requirements," with the use of "should" or "may" versus "shall" or "must" serving as one indication of an option rather than a mandate. Contact: Evvie Munley, (202) 508-9478.
| Read the letter. |

Your Expertise Needed for Delirium and Acute Problematic Behavior Guideline
The American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) asked us to review and comment on this draft clinical practice guideline (CPG). If you or your staff members have an interest or expertise in this topic and would like to participate in reviewing this CPG, you may track changes directly on the draft. Please forward your comments to AMDA’s Jackie Vance or AAHSA’s Evvie Munley by Jan. 29. Contact: Evvie Munley, (202) 508-9478.
| Read the draft CPG. |

CMS to Host National NPI Roundtable
On Feb. 6 from 2:30 to 4 p.m., Eastern Time, CMS will host a National Provider Identifier (NPI) roundtable focusing on the status of the Medicare implementation. Participants have a chance to ask questions about the NPI. Contact: Iara Woody, (202) 508-9429.
| Register for the roundtable. |


Where Can You Find Solutions to Your Workforce Challenges?
The answer: AAHSA’s Future of Aging Services Conference, March 31 to April 2, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. There, you’ll hear from experts like Ann Rhoades, former executive vice president of JetBlue Airways and Mark Williams, founder and CEO of the Diversity Channel, about innovative ways to become an employer of choice in your community. You’ll also get the chance to network with 1,300 of your peers while attending education sessions aimed at solving your unique challenges. Register by Feb. 15 to receive a discounted registration rate. Contact: AAHSA@Laser-Registration.com, (514) 228-3159.
| Visit the conference Web site. |
| Register for the conference. |

Upcoming AAHSA Audioconferences:

Disruptive Residents and the Law: What You Need to Know
Join us on Feb. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time to find out how you can handle a disruption in a community caused by a resident (or a resident’s family member) with care, concern and coordination. On the call, you’ll learn how to develop contracts, policies and procedures that will help you to deter an incident or facilitate an effective response to a disruption. Contact: Nataki Goodall, (202) 508-9471.
| Register online for the audioconference. |

Unnecessary Antipsychotic Medication Use in LTC Facilities: CMS Requirements and AAHSA Member Innovations
Do you want to know more about antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes? Join our audio conference on Feb. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m., Eastern Time to understand more about this important issue. On the call, medical and pharmacy experts will discuss the effects of the revised 2006 CMS guidance and the appropriate and inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes. You’ll also hear how fellow members reduced the use of antipsychotic drugs through diverse programming in their organizations. Contact: Nataki Goodall, (202) 508-9471.
| Register online for the audioconference. |

3,200 Covenant signers! Have you signed yet?

Need Help Collecting Satisfaction Survey Data?
Our latest Quality First Guideline offers helpful hints you can use to collect and analyze consumer and employee satisfaction data. Use this Guideline to enhance the quality characteristics in the Aging-Services Providers’ Checklist for AAHSA Quality First. More Guidelines will be coming throughout the year. Contact: Bruce Rosenthal, (202) 508-9499.
| View all of the available Guidelines. |


Funds Available for Section 202 Demonstration Pre-Development Grant Program
Organizations that received awards under last year’s Section 202 funding competition may be eligible to receive as much as $400,000 to help cover architectural and engineering work, site control and other planning-related expenses. Funding is not guaranteed, and there is a limit on the total that any single entity or its affiliated organizations may receive. Applications are due by Feb. 27. Contact: Colleen Bloom, (202) 508-9483.
| Find out more about the grants |

Free Disaster Preparedness Training Workshops
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is offering free disaster preparedness training in nine cities this year. These workshops are designed to help businesses, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations form strategic partnerships and develop a national culture of preparedness. Workshops will be held in Miami, San Francisco, Houston, Denver, New Orleans, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City. Contact: Colleen Bloom, (202) 508-9483.
| Learn more and see a workshop schedule. |

Call for Sessions: Long -term Care Health Information Technology Summit
Are you interested in sharing your organization’s experience with health information technology? AAHSA is now accepting session proposals for the fourth annual long-term care health information technology summit, which we are hosting in partnership with other long-term care organizations. Proposals should focus on one of the following areas: adopting health information technology; addressing policy and advocacy issues; empowering consumers to use personal health records; demonstrating health information technology through various projects; looking at new issues and technologies; exchanging health information; researching issues impacted by health information technology; and e-prescribing/medication management. Use the online form to submit your abstract by Feb. 18. Case studies may be submitted until April 30. Contact: Karyn Downie, (202) 508-9410.
| See the session submission template and instructions. |

Do You Have Historical Photos of Your Facility?
If so, consider sending copies of them to AAHSA. We want to use them to highlight how not-for-profit organizations like yours stand the test of time and will continue to care and serve elders for generations to come. Please send AAHSA’s Keesha Atkins your high resolution, print-quality photos no later than Feb. 8. Contact: Keesha Atkins, (202) 508-9440.


Partner Cuts Food Costs for Members of all Sizes
FoodSource Plus is an AAHSA Group Purchasing partner committed to customizing its cost cutting services for members of all sizes. Fax them your last two invoices from your current food distributor, and FoodSource Plus will conduct an audit of your purchases and offer you opportunities to save anywhere from 10 to 50 percent on these costs. They will also develop customized order guides and nutritional menus for you based on your needs and resources. Contact: Mike Foley, (866) 248-4520.
| Learn more about FoodSource Plus. |
 

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. 18 - 24):

Administrator
Administrator - Springfield, Ill.
Corporate Director, Medical Services - Ambler, Pa.
Administrator - Chicago, Ill.

CEO/President/Executive Director
Senior Vice President/Administrator - Skilled Nursing Operations - Rochester, N.Y.
Executive Director - Sandy Spring, Md.

Marketing/Sales/Business Office
Director of Sales and Marketing - New Jersey (Philadelphia Metro Area).
Sales Counselor - Jacksonville, Fla.
Director of Marketing - Cutler Bay, Fla.

Nursing/Healthcare
Director of Nursing - Woodstown, N.J.
Clinical Nurse Coordinator - Maryland


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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