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

___________________________

 Legislative Update

___________________________

 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.

___________________________

State / THCA News

___________________________

National / AHCA News

___________________________

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 

facebookFind us on Facebook

twitterFollow us on Twitter


___________________________

THCAPAC


?’s About THCAPAC…Contact Us

Ron Payne,
THCAPAC Co-Chair

Mark McKenzie,
THCAPAC Co-Chair

Gina Muniz,
THCAPAC Liaison

Scot Kibbe,
THCAPAC Liaison

___________________________

Region News

___________________________

Education

___________________________

Calendar