We are just days away from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issuing the SNF PPS final rule. The current CMS rule states that reimbursement rates must be cut immediately by approximately 12.8 percent, or nearly $4.5 billion. This would negatively impact nursing facilities, the economic benefits they bring to communities and the care they provide to millions of older Americans. As Washington focuses on the debt, it is critical that we continue to draw attention to this issue. The White House and CMS are currently working through the final details; NOW is the time to weigh in with these offices. You can make a difference by sending a letter today.
Please show them that we care, and tell them that they must do the right thing. Help send a letter today by clicking here.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Florida Long Term Care Leaders Praise Reps. Buchanan, Castor, Miller, Nugent, Posey, Wilson and Young, along with Sen. Nelson, for Signing Key Letter to CMS
Bipartisan letter calls for the rejection of proposed Medicare cuts that threaten jobs, access to skilled nursing care
On the heels of a media event addressing concerns over the state Medicaid nursing home funding cuts that take effect today, Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) praised Members of the Florida delegation, U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R), Kathy Castor (D), Jeff Miller (R), Rich Nugent (R), Bill Posey (R), Frederica Wilson (D), and Bill Young (R) for their support of the bipartisan letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), as the federal health agency considers a proposal that would cut Medicare reimbursement to skilled nursing facilities immediately by 12.8 percent for Fiscal Year 2012. The Florida Representatives were seven of the 152 Representatives to sign onto the letter to CMS, which urges the agency to consider all of the appropriate data before adopting deep Medicare payment cuts to skilled nursing facilities. FHCA also praised Sen. Bill Nelson (D) for joining the effort by sending a similar letter to CMS.
“We thank these Members of Congress for carrying our voice in Washington and for their continued efforts to ensure the growing needs of our nation’s most vulnerable frail, elderly seniors and individuals with disabilities are protected,” said Emmett Reed, Executive Director of FHCA. “Medicaid and Medicare funding are inextricably linked, and their recognition of the potential devastation this proposal could inflict on Florida’s nursing facilities, as well as the quality of care they provide and the number of jobs they contribute, could make the difference in finding a more measured approach to their Medicare payment system.”
In an unprecedented move in late April, CMS proposed a drastic, immediate cut to the nation’s skilled nursing facilities by more than $4 billion. The agency’s proposal is based on less than one year of data when, historically, CMS bases decisions on a full year of data. If the proposal were adopted, nursing facilities would be forced to make significant operational changes, putting more than 100,000 jobs in multiple professions at risk.
FHCA and its national organization, the American Health Care Association (AHCA), are advocating that CMS slow down the process and follow its traditional practices of examining the entire data before implementing a reduction to nursing facilities. The associations aim to help CMS reach its goal of budget neutrality within the Medicare payment system, but through a more measured, targeted approach by dispersing the reduction over multiple years.
The bipartisan letter sent to CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, which is similar to the letter sent individually by Sen. Bill Nelson, was co-signed by Representatives Buchanan, Castor, Miller, Nugent, Posey, Wilson, and Young and states:
“Financial stability is critical to ensuring sustainable, quality long-term care for Medicare beneficiaries in nursing facilities. The men and women who work in these facilities, approximately 3.1 million Americans, are responsible for serving some of the frailest members of our society. We must ensure that the services they provide to Medicare beneficiaries are preserved.
“On behalf of our constituents who receive care in SNFs, we request the agency take a more measured approach and delay any proposed cuts pending a review of data from a full year. If, after reviewing additional data, CMS ultimately determines that comprehensive information supports the need to adjust payments to SNFs, then it should follow its common practice of implementing the reduction over a period of two or three years in order to reduce the potential impact on nursing facility services.”
On the heels of a media event addressing concerns over the state Medicaid nursing home funding cuts that take effect today, Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) praised Members of the Florida delegation, U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R), Kathy Castor (D), Jeff Miller (R), Rich Nugent (R), Bill Posey (R), Frederica Wilson (D), and Bill Young (R) for their support of the bipartisan letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), as the federal health agency considers a proposal that would cut Medicare reimbursement to skilled nursing facilities immediately by 12.8 percent for Fiscal Year 2012. The Florida Representatives were seven of the 152 Representatives to sign onto the letter to CMS, which urges the agency to consider all of the appropriate data before adopting deep Medicare payment cuts to skilled nursing facilities. FHCA also praised Sen. Bill Nelson (D) for joining the effort by sending a similar letter to CMS.
“We thank these Members of Congress for carrying our voice in Washington and for their continued efforts to ensure the growing needs of our nation’s most vulnerable frail, elderly seniors and individuals with disabilities are protected,” said Emmett Reed, Executive Director of FHCA. “Medicaid and Medicare funding are inextricably linked, and their recognition of the potential devastation this proposal could inflict on Florida’s nursing facilities, as well as the quality of care they provide and the number of jobs they contribute, could make the difference in finding a more measured approach to their Medicare payment system.”
In an unprecedented move in late April, CMS proposed a drastic, immediate cut to the nation’s skilled nursing facilities by more than $4 billion. The agency’s proposal is based on less than one year of data when, historically, CMS bases decisions on a full year of data. If the proposal were adopted, nursing facilities would be forced to make significant operational changes, putting more than 100,000 jobs in multiple professions at risk.
FHCA and its national organization, the American Health Care Association (AHCA), are advocating that CMS slow down the process and follow its traditional practices of examining the entire data before implementing a reduction to nursing facilities. The associations aim to help CMS reach its goal of budget neutrality within the Medicare payment system, but through a more measured, targeted approach by dispersing the reduction over multiple years.
The bipartisan letter sent to CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, which is similar to the letter sent individually by Sen. Bill Nelson, was co-signed by Representatives Buchanan, Castor, Miller, Nugent, Posey, Wilson, and Young and states:
“Financial stability is critical to ensuring sustainable, quality long-term care for Medicare beneficiaries in nursing facilities. The men and women who work in these facilities, approximately 3.1 million Americans, are responsible for serving some of the frailest members of our society. We must ensure that the services they provide to Medicare beneficiaries are preserved.
“On behalf of our constituents who receive care in SNFs, we request the agency take a more measured approach and delay any proposed cuts pending a review of data from a full year. If, after reviewing additional data, CMS ultimately determines that comprehensive information supports the need to adjust payments to SNFs, then it should follow its common practice of implementing the reduction over a period of two or three years in order to reduce the potential impact on nursing facility services.”
Friday, June 24, 2011
Governor vetoes background screening legislation
Yesterday, Governor Scott vetoed the Background Screening Bill (SB1992), saying in his veto letter that the state has an obligation to ensure that "these vulnerable members of our communities are protected, especially in their homes."
As a result of the Governor's veto, the new requirements under the legislation are void, including:
* Flexibility for an employer to fill a position before the employee has completed the screening process,
* The modified timeline for the Level II screening of persons, and
* The preclusion of CNAs from having to undergo duplicative background screenings for both employment and testing.
Facilities should refer to the original Agency for Health Care Administration letter on background screening requirements that went into effect August 1, 2010, which includes the timeline for screening requirements (requires Level 2 rescreening every 5 years. Health care providers have until July 31, 2015 to conduct Level 2 rescreening on current employees hired prior to August 1, 2010). These and other resources on background screening can be found under the Members Only Regulatory link under the Facility Operations tab of the FHCA website.
FHCA had convened a coalition of health care and other providers to identify recommended fixes to current background screening requirements and is disappointed by the Governor's veto of the legislation, which would have provided for a number of fixes to the current system. The bill contained several good provisions for FHCA members; however, the Governor was not in agreement with the portion of the bill which allowed volunteers to have contact with vulnerable persons and be exempt from the screening process. This provision was not a focus of FHCA’s advocacy efforts. The Governor has said he will issue an executive order retaining a portion of the bill that sets up an interagency workgroup to streamline background checks and share information, which is good news.
As a result of the Governor's veto, the new requirements under the legislation are void, including:
* Flexibility for an employer to fill a position before the employee has completed the screening process,
* The modified timeline for the Level II screening of persons, and
* The preclusion of CNAs from having to undergo duplicative background screenings for both employment and testing.
Facilities should refer to the original Agency for Health Care Administration letter on background screening requirements that went into effect August 1, 2010, which includes the timeline for screening requirements (requires Level 2 rescreening every 5 years. Health care providers have until July 31, 2015 to conduct Level 2 rescreening on current employees hired prior to August 1, 2010). These and other resources on background screening can be found under the Members Only Regulatory link under the Facility Operations tab of the FHCA website.
FHCA had convened a coalition of health care and other providers to identify recommended fixes to current background screening requirements and is disappointed by the Governor's veto of the legislation, which would have provided for a number of fixes to the current system. The bill contained several good provisions for FHCA members; however, the Governor was not in agreement with the portion of the bill which allowed volunteers to have contact with vulnerable persons and be exempt from the screening process. This provision was not a focus of FHCA’s advocacy efforts. The Governor has said he will issue an executive order retaining a portion of the bill that sets up an interagency workgroup to streamline background checks and share information, which is good news.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Ask your Representative to sign on to the Latham-Neal letter to CMS and protect LTC services for our nation's seniors
Skilled nursing facilities are facing a potentially drastic Medicare funding cut under the CMS SNF Prospective Payment System proposed rule for FY 2012. Under the April 28th SNF PPS proposed rule for FY 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offered two options. Under option one, FY 2012 Medicare payments to SNFs would be reduced by $3.94 billion or a total of 11.3% lower than FY 2011. Under option two, CMS would increase rates 1.5% in the Medicare market basket for an increase of $530 million in FY 2012. The unprecedented difference between the two proposed rules could put skilled nursing facilities and their residents at risk should the large cut be enacted.
U.S. Reps. Tom Latham (R-IA) and Richard Neal (D-MA) are circulating a bipartisan letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Donald Berwick urging the agency to delay an exceptionally high proposed Medicare payment cut to skilled nursing facilities that is based upon limited data.
Please click here to take action and ask your Representative to sign on to the Dear Colleague letter to CMS regarding proposed cuts to Medicare. We must ensure that our nation’s seniors continue to have access to the critical health care services provided by skilled nursing facilities. This request is time-sensitive; ask that Members sign on today.
U.S. Reps. Tom Latham (R-IA) and Richard Neal (D-MA) are circulating a bipartisan letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Donald Berwick urging the agency to delay an exceptionally high proposed Medicare payment cut to skilled nursing facilities that is based upon limited data.
Please click here to take action and ask your Representative to sign on to the Dear Colleague letter to CMS regarding proposed cuts to Medicare. We must ensure that our nation’s seniors continue to have access to the critical health care services provided by skilled nursing facilities. This request is time-sensitive; ask that Members sign on today.
Agency hosts public meetings on Medicaid Managed Care
The Agency for Health Care Administration is holding public meetings across the state from June 10-17th on Medicaid Managed Care. The meetings will kick off in Tallahassee and will take place in a number of cities, including Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa, with the final meeting taking place in Ft. Myers.During the 2011 legislative session, lawmakers passed a major overhaul of the existing Medicaid program. AHCA is directed to submit any waiver it may need for the new Medicaid program to the federal government by August 1. Before the state submits a waiver it is required to hold the meetings and obtain public input. FHCA members can access a schedule of upcoming meeting dates and locations here.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Nursing homes will ‘fulfill the promise’ in spite of tough budget outcomes
Guest editorial, Tallahassee Democrat, May 12, 2011
By J. Emmett Reed, CAE
This week is National Nursing Home Week, which is typically filled with celebrations to honor the staff, family members and volunteers who make a difference in the lives of our state’s nearly 71,000 nursing home residents. But with the sting of the 2011 legislative session still being felt across Florida, many celebrations will ring hollow as nursing homes look to cope with the Legislature’s $187.5 million funding cut that will come their way in July.
This year’s theme is “Fulfilling the Promise.” Ironically for the past three years, nursing homes have been asking lawmakers to keep their promise and protect the funding that is critical to resident quality care. Nursing homes have done their part to assist by contributing to the state’s General Revenue through the Nursing Home Quality Assessment, where they essentially tax themselves to draw down additional federal funds. Since tougher standards on nursing home staffing were put into place in 2001, long term care providers have gladly kept their end of the promise, hiring nearly 11,000 nurses and CNAs to provide that direct quality care to residents.
In the final days of session, AARP was highly critical of changes proposed by the Legislature to nursing home care, which everyone recognizes is among the nation’s best. More recently, they’ve also criticized legislators for reducing the amount of staff required in nursing homes which are the direct result of significant funding cuts. Nobody is happy with the budget cuts made by the Legislature to long term care. We would have preferred legislators maintain the funding and staffing requirements, and in fact over 400 long term care professionals descended upon the Capitol fighting budget cuts throughout the entire 60 day session. I am dismayed that AARP was not beside us opposing these cuts and in the very end, rose up in indignation against the reduced staffing that resulted from these cuts. Medicaid providers must be compensated to pay for the level of staff necessary to provide excellent care, and it is my hope all parties work constructively toward that goal.
The reality is that nursing homes, unfortunately, will find a way to do more with less. They will continue to operate efficiently while improving the quality of care and quality of life for their residents. With 70 percent of nursing homes costs paying for the people working in the facility, reducing pay or even staff will become a reality. Because of government limitations, valuable caregivers who work in nursing homes are paid less than they deserve, despite the physical and emotional challenges of caring for residents. Facilities will also struggle to continue the programs that offer quality of life, which is just as important as health care. Most will lack the ability to invest in improvements.
In a week designated to celebrate nursing homes, we will still recognize the vital role they play in our state’s health care system. Not only as a place for the frail elderly who cannot care for themselves, but as a cost-effective setting for patients with short term rehabilitative needs. But with Florida on the verge of a boom in the elderly population, this year’s National Nursing Home Week message is not one of celebration, but rather caution to legislators, AARP and other advocates – don’t abandon Florida's seniors. Nursing homes will continue to do their part to “Fulfill the Promise” and keep that commitment to delivering quality long term care for years to come, and we thank them for all they do to provide compassionate, quality health care to our frailest elders. But the state must keep its promise as well, and we hope as revenues begin to return to normal, legislators will stand up for our state’s seniors and restore funding for quality care to ensure they are able to live out their later years with dignity.
By J. Emmett Reed, CAE
This week is National Nursing Home Week, which is typically filled with celebrations to honor the staff, family members and volunteers who make a difference in the lives of our state’s nearly 71,000 nursing home residents. But with the sting of the 2011 legislative session still being felt across Florida, many celebrations will ring hollow as nursing homes look to cope with the Legislature’s $187.5 million funding cut that will come their way in July.
This year’s theme is “Fulfilling the Promise.” Ironically for the past three years, nursing homes have been asking lawmakers to keep their promise and protect the funding that is critical to resident quality care. Nursing homes have done their part to assist by contributing to the state’s General Revenue through the Nursing Home Quality Assessment, where they essentially tax themselves to draw down additional federal funds. Since tougher standards on nursing home staffing were put into place in 2001, long term care providers have gladly kept their end of the promise, hiring nearly 11,000 nurses and CNAs to provide that direct quality care to residents.
In the final days of session, AARP was highly critical of changes proposed by the Legislature to nursing home care, which everyone recognizes is among the nation’s best. More recently, they’ve also criticized legislators for reducing the amount of staff required in nursing homes which are the direct result of significant funding cuts. Nobody is happy with the budget cuts made by the Legislature to long term care. We would have preferred legislators maintain the funding and staffing requirements, and in fact over 400 long term care professionals descended upon the Capitol fighting budget cuts throughout the entire 60 day session. I am dismayed that AARP was not beside us opposing these cuts and in the very end, rose up in indignation against the reduced staffing that resulted from these cuts. Medicaid providers must be compensated to pay for the level of staff necessary to provide excellent care, and it is my hope all parties work constructively toward that goal.
The reality is that nursing homes, unfortunately, will find a way to do more with less. They will continue to operate efficiently while improving the quality of care and quality of life for their residents. With 70 percent of nursing homes costs paying for the people working in the facility, reducing pay or even staff will become a reality. Because of government limitations, valuable caregivers who work in nursing homes are paid less than they deserve, despite the physical and emotional challenges of caring for residents. Facilities will also struggle to continue the programs that offer quality of life, which is just as important as health care. Most will lack the ability to invest in improvements.
In a week designated to celebrate nursing homes, we will still recognize the vital role they play in our state’s health care system. Not only as a place for the frail elderly who cannot care for themselves, but as a cost-effective setting for patients with short term rehabilitative needs. But with Florida on the verge of a boom in the elderly population, this year’s National Nursing Home Week message is not one of celebration, but rather caution to legislators, AARP and other advocates – don’t abandon Florida's seniors. Nursing homes will continue to do their part to “Fulfill the Promise” and keep that commitment to delivering quality long term care for years to come, and we thank them for all they do to provide compassionate, quality health care to our frailest elders. But the state must keep its promise as well, and we hope as revenues begin to return to normal, legislators will stand up for our state’s seniors and restore funding for quality care to ensure they are able to live out their later years with dignity.
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