- THCA

Volume XXXI, Number 2
February 2016

Region Meeting Dates and Information, Region News

THCA Members! We are excited to have THCA Associate Business Members that have stepped up in support of the meetings we schedule for you! We have many presentations w/CE credit, as well as lunch sponsors lined up, so please take note of a region meeting in your area listed below, or a meeting notice that you may receive in your in-box and R.S.V.P. to attend. Remember: Region meetings are coordinated for you, and provide fellowship, peer support, networking and continuing education credit at select meetings. Recently held & upcoming region meetings are listed below. See you soon!

-THCA Region Chairs

THCA Region 3:

Members in THCA Region 3 held a successful meeting on January 28th at Earl Able’s Restaurant in San Antonio with over 25 LTC professionals in attendance. Scot Kibbe, THCA’s Director of Government Relations was the guest speaker, providing an update on interim legislative activities and the importance of personal contributions to THCA PAC. Special ‘Thank You’ to Region 3’s January sponsor, THCA Associate Business Member, MobilexUSA! Next meeting is scheduled for February 25th. If you are not currently on this Region’s mailing list, but would like to be, please send an email request to THCA Region 3 Chair, Raul Espinosa.

THCA Region 4:

Members in THCA Region 4 will meet in Longview on Tuesday, February 23rd at Papacita’s Mexican Restaurant, 305 W. Loop 281. A presentation with up-to-date information on “Advanced Directives” will be provided by THCA Associate Business Member, Underwood Law Firm. LNFA’s attending will receive 1-hr of CE credit w/Ethics! Lunch for attendees is sponsored by THCA Associate Business Member, Synergy Care, Inc. R.S.V.P. by email to THCA Region 4 Chair, Julie Wyatt.

THCA Region 5:

Members in THCA Region 5 are scheduled to meet on Thursday, February 25th. A presentation titled, “TAG FREE! Avoiding F325 with Cost-Effective Food and Dining Programs” will be provided by THCA Associate Business Member, Nutritious Lifestyles. The presentation provides 1-Hr of CE credit for LNFA’s. Meeting notices will be disseminated shortly with confirmed location and time. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to email THCA Region 5 Chair Sean Phillips or THCA staff Gina Muniz.

THCA Regions 8 & 9:

Members in THCA Regions 8 & 9 will be meeting together on Thursday, February 18th, 11:30am to 1:30pm at Pappasito’s, 321 W. Road to Six Flags in Arlington, TX. A presentation with up-to-date information on “Advanced Directives” will be provided by THCA Associate Business Member, Underwood Law Firm. LNFA’s attending will receive 1-hr of CE credit w/Ethics! We are currently seeking a THCA Associate Business Member to sponsor the meal for this meeting. If your company is interested, please email THCA Region 9 Chair, Jim Culp or THCA staff Gina Muniz.

“COMMITMENT TO CARE” – THCA 2016 Spring Conference & Resource Fair

___________________________

Legislative Update

THCA Endorses Key State Legislators as Primary Approaches

Hegar Attempts to Ease State Budget Fears

THCA Provides Senate Committee with Comments on Applied Income

Notice: Before you e-mail your legislator, make sure you have the latest address. As of February 1, House and Senate e-mail addresses have been updated from @house.state.tx.us and @senate.state.tx.us to @house.texas.gov and @senate.texas.gov

___________________________

Commitment to Care

New LTC Facility Survey and IDR Council (S.B. 914) Met January 28 in Austin

On-Demand Informational Webinar Available: Leveraging Leadership to Drive Sustainable Change

DADS Looking for Additional 50 Nursing Home for Participation in Phase II of the Reminiscence Therapy Pilot

NFQR Data Collection Runs Through March 31

The December 2015 Issue of The MDS Mentor is Available on the DADS website!

Quality Measure and Coding: Bowel and Bladder

CMS Continues Focused Dementia Care Surveys This Month

MDS Focused Surveys

In honor of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia Care Staff Education Week February 14th to the 21st, the NCCDP is accepting nominations for Educator of the Year

If you have any questions about the THCA Commitment to Care Initiative or would like to share your facilities successes please contact Gloria Bean-Williams by email or call (512) 458-1257.

___________________________

State / THCA News

MCO Billing Triage and Escalation

Upcoming Enhancements to the LTC Claims Management System

TMHP Reports Minimum Data Set Maintenance Downtime

Nursing Facilities Now Have One Stop for PASSR Training

HHSC Issues Guidance on 2015 Medicaid Cost Report Training

Helpful QIPP Information on HHSC Web Site

___________________________

Announcements & Recognition

Welcome THCA’s Newest Associate Business Members!

Visit, Like and Follow THCA….

Are you familiar with THCA’s Website, Facebook Page & Twitter Account? We utilize these portals to provide information & tools for long term care providers / caregivers, family members, LTC advocates, and to share the wonderful events, celebrations, etc. that take place in Texas Nursing, Rehabilitation & Assisted Living facilities!

Visit our Website, “Like” our Facebook page and “Follow” us on Twitter! And please encourage your staff to as well!

THCA Web Site

Find us on Facebook