The Road Ahead

 

“At the end of a marathon, it’s going to hurt whether you’re speeding up or slowing down. You may as well push.”
Summer Sanders

 

August is upon us.   The last couple of weeks of summer and the flurry of last minute vacations and trips are winding down.  Back to school shopping and looking forward to what’s in store.  With purpose, we look forward.

I want to thank everyone who was able to attend Summer Conference in San Antonio this past month. We had a really good turnout, with great speakers, wonderful support from our associate business members and a successful THCA PAC Golf Tournament!

While there never seems to be a slowdown of new information coming forward or changes in rules, reimbursement processing, regulatory requirements, and others, it’s important to stay tuned to information and training coming from THCA and our partners.  Just some of the upcoming rules and programs and events to be looking for additional information and education include:

  • Proposed rules for training requirements for facilities providing care to residents with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia
  • Proposed rule changes related to Right to Correct for purposes of licensure penalties
  • CMS Final Rule related to the transition of SNF payment from RUGs IV to Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM)
  • QIPP Year 3 Program changes and program expansion
  • Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing to include testimony about oversight of long-term care facilities
  • Additional Managed Care Hearings in the House Human Services Committee

We will keep you posted on these upcoming items and opportunities for education/training in the near future, so stay tuned.

In a little over three months, THCA will host its 68th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Dallas. Registration opens soon and we hope you all will make it our biggest convention ever. “Legacy of Excellence” is the theme of this year’s convention.

Lastly, this past week, one of your colleagues had to manage the terrifying situation of an active shooter.  The local police chief was quoted as saying, “I’d … like to thank the staff at Retama nursing home for doing a great job making sure that the residents at the facility were being taken care of…It was chaotic, and great thanks to them. They did a wonderful job.”  Please keep the residents, families and staff of their community in your thoughts as they work to cope with last week’s tragedy and kudos to staff and leadership for your courage and resolve.

Stay tuned, stay committed, and thank you for what you do!….Onward and Upward.