Volume XXXI, Number 3
March 2016

CMS Announces Six New Quality Measures

On March 3rd CMS held an Open Door Forum call announcing changes to Nursing Home Compare & Five-Star. The following day AHCA also held a call for members, providing an overview of the changes as well as how AHCA plans to respond to CMS.

CMS announced that 6 NEW measures will be added to Nursing Home Compare in April of 2016.

Five of the measures will be added to Five-Star in July 2016; however, CMS has not yet announced how they will be added or impact your star ratings.

Six NEW Measures

Short-Stay:

  1. Discharge to Community (Medicare Claims Based
  1. Emergency Room Use (Medicare Claims Based)
  1. Hospitalization (Medicare Claims Based)
  1. Improvement in Function Since Admission (MDS Based)

Long-Stay:

  1. Decline in Mobility (MDS Based)
  1. Use of Hypnotics/Anxiolytics (MDS Based)

Click HERE to view a pdf document from AHCA’s website for more information on the new measures.

To access the on-line AHCA archived call after March 8th click HERE. (You will need your AHCA Member log-in)

AHCA Recommends that Nursing Facility Providers

  • Begin now to review the measures and start to focus on efforts to improve before the measures are added to Five-Star
  • Collect data on your current rates for rehospitalization, ER use and Discharge (DC) to community using a FREE tracking spread sheet by Advancing Excellence which can be found by clicking HERE

President’s Report

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 Legislative Update

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 Commitment to Care

  • CMS Announces Six New Quality Measures

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.

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State / THCA News

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National / AHCA News

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Announcements & Recognition

2016 THCA Membership Directory and Resource Guide COMING SOON!

Hard copies scheduled to be mailed out later this month, with a digital copy to be posted on our website mid-April!

 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 

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THCAPAC

?’s About THCAPAC…Contact Us

Ron Payne,
THCAPAC Co-Chair

Mark McKenzie,
THCAPAC Co-Chair

Gina Muniz,
THCAPAC Liaison

Scot Kibbe,
THCAPAC Liaison

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Region News

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Education

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Calendar