FY 2025 (current year) Missouri SNF Medicaid Rates

LA MO members have contacted us about the timing of increased FY 2025 Medicaid reimbursement rate payments – effective July 1, 2024. We obtained information and assistance from the Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division. CMS approved MO HealthNet’s Special Plan Amendment in December 2024. The new Administration’s emergency regulation was recently filed and DSS expects to issue rate letters soon, with higher rate payments commencing in early February, and retroactive (“catch-up”) payments dating back to July 1, 2024, expected in March or April.

Positive Update on COMRU Processing

Regarding COMRU and the application process, there is reason to celebrate! At December’s end, COMRU had successfully addressed its applications backlog. And it has stayed abreast of applications in 2025. Recently, the oldest Level I application was only six working days old, while the oldest Level II application was eight working days old. COMRU staff continue to offer monthly training for all providers, conduct corporate training as needed, and collaborate with MHD on joint educational sessions. For more information on these trainings, visit the DHSS Site.

Revised Long-Term Care (SNF) Surveyor Guidance: Significant revisions to enhance quality & oversight of SNF survey process (Updated QSO-25-12-NH)

To help members striving for SNF survey compliance, LA MO is informing members about recent CMS guidance directed to the State of Missouri. Please note guidance topics below and a linked explanatory memo. LA MO is available to assist members and provide resources in the areas mentioned.  Should your team require education or information on these topics or recent changes, please contact us.

• Admission, Transfer & Discharge, Chemical Restraints/Unnecessary Psychotropic Medication, Resident Assessment, Nursing Services, Payroll Based Journal, Quality of Life and Quality of Care, Administration, Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI), Infection Prevention and Control, and other areas.
• Clarifications and technical corrections have also been made throughout Appendix PP.

View the full CMS memo HERE.

Virtual RCF/ALF Conference – It’s Not Too Late!

LA MO invites you to attend its Assisted Living/RCF Virtual Conference offered in collaboration with LeadingAge Kansas. Members can join ALF/RCF colleagues for excellent education and learning February 4 & 5, from 9am to 4pm each day with a one-hour lunch break. There are five one-hour sessions each day.

The virtual Conference features sessions on future-planning, regulations, contracts, marketing, activities, and dining to help organizations thrive today and in the future. Also featured is keynote speaker, Julie Thorson, who will energize you as a leader. And here are even more reasons to register and attend:

• All sessions are virtual – you can attend from the warmth of your office (or home).
• Registration is only $169 for this two-day, 10 CE event. CE includes 7 LNHA/RCAL CEU’s and 3 LNHA/RCAL PC CEU’s

Delivering more education for ALF & RCF members is a LA MO priority, and this conference is just the beginning. A big shoutout to our conference sponsor R Tasks: Mobile Charting and Care Coordination for helping to deliver this excellent educational program.

2025 Collaborative Healthcare in Aging Services Webinar Series

LeadingAge Missouri is offering a monthly, year-long lunch and learn webinar series focused on healthcare collaboration in aging services.  The highly relevant topics include: 

• Loneliness and Social Isolation
• Behavioral Challenges in Dementia 
• Grievance Processes 
• Mastering Documentation 
• Best Practices in Aging Services Strategies to Mitigate Litigation Risks 
• Strategies to Prevent Medication Diversion
• Ensuring Medication Safety in Long-Term Care
• Navigating Changes of Condition with Confidence 
• Maintaining a Spotless Kitchen: Strategies for Regulatory Compliance
• Combating Costly Readmissions 
• Mastering Incident Investigations in Aging Services
• Elopement

All educations are NAB approved. Find out more and register here!