2025 Virtual Assisted Living & Residential Care Conference
Join us on February 4-5, 2025, for this engaging virtual conference featuring industry leaders like Andy Edeburn (Elder Dynamics) and Julie Thorson (Friendship Haven). The event offers 10 CE credits for Kansas and Missouri participants and will cover essential topics, including licensing regulations, dementia care strategies, culinary culture, and emergency preparedness. Register now for only $169 per attendee!
NHSN LTC component: Respiratory Pathogens & Vaccination Updates
The NHSN Long-Term Care Team and Vaccination Team recently delivered refresher training on the newly combined reporting form for Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccination. The team also reviewed upcoming required reporting fields beginning January 1, 2025. The presentation slides are here. In addition, you may register for the webinar replay on January 7 by visiting the registration page. More resources can be found at here.
Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC)
Missouri DHSS’ Section for LTC Regulation recently met with Livanta, the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO) that receives appeals of non-coverage (SNF ABN and NOMNC) required in F582. Livanta noted that required forms update periodically, so providers must take care to use the most recent forms and instructions found here: Beneficiary Notices Initiative (BNI) | CMS. Changes were made in November 2024, and more changes will be effective January 1, 2025.
Also, the SLCR is aware of concerns voiced by facilities and residents about Medicare Advantage beneficiaries being denied services or experiencing service delays. If LA MO members hear these concerns, please share with Medicare Advantage residents and/or families that the NOMNC has been modified to reflect regulations providing enrollees additional fast-track appeal rights when they untimely request an appeal to the BFCC-QIO, or still wish to appeal after they end services on or before the planned termination date (See: CMS-4205-F, p. 30827).
These notices should be provided timely to beneficiaries whose Medicare covered services will end to inform them of their rights and protections related to financial liability and appeals under the Fee-for-Service Medicare and Medicare Advantage programs. Additionally, facilities and beneficiaries can find contact information for Missouri’s BFCC-QIO, Livanta, here.
Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) Resource
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology along with American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing, released a practice guidance tool and resource guide to help implement EBP in skilled long-term care facilities. The practice guidance tool outlines when EBP should be implemented for residents, provides infection control recommendations for routine care activities, and includes case study examples with a self-quiz to help reinforce learning. The resource guide also provides a comprehensive list of infection control websites and references. More information including the guide can be found here.
New Missouri Legislators Need Aging Services Education
On November 5, 2024, Missouri voters elected many new Senators and Representatives, who will determine Missouri public polices starting January 8. Aging services reimbursement and delivery requirements will be among policies debated and decided. New, inexperienced legislators need experienced experts to educate them on aging service policies to make the right decisions for providers and residents. Who better to enhance legislator understanding of your field than LA MO members? LA MO is the trusted voice for aging in Missouri! Help make a difference on policies that impact Missouri aging services by registering here to become an aging services “lobbyist for a day” on March 12. It will be educational and fun day, and you will make a difference!