News In Brief - May 1, 2014

Are you the expert on “all things senior” in your surrounding community?
The time has come for all senior living providers to position themselves as the expert in “all things senior” in both their internal and external communities, according to a recent article on the LeadingAge website. With public dollars shrinking, taxing entities have targeted some not-for-profit senior living communities, questioning their relevance to the greater community and their tax exemptions. Communities that don’t serve needs outside of their own walls will face the greatest challenges protecting their tax-exempt status. A few things you can do:

Volunteers of the year inspire with their commitment to service
A special shout out to staff at Mennonite Village for the delicious lunch and beautiful setting they provided for our 2014 Volunteer Luncheon last week! Thank you also to the LeadingAge Oregon member communities, staff and residents who joined us, and especially to the selected Volunteers of the Year who allowed us to take a moment to celebrate their lives of service. An inspirational afternoon! Check out photos on our Facebook page.

ALFs and RCFs must complete new agreement to re-enroll in Medicaid
The Oregon Department of Human Services has made changes to the ALF/RCF Medicaid provider enrollment process that will require providers to complete a Provider Enrollment Agreement (PEA) in lieu of the traditional contracting process. Some providers, including memory care providers and those on gradual withdrawal contracts, will need both a contract and a PEA. Read more about this new process, which is effective May 5.

State encourages ALF/RCF providers to participate in CDC study
The Center for Disease Control will be conducting its National Study of Long-term Care Providers from June through December. Information gathered on assisted living and residential care residents and staffing will help policymakers, health care planners and providers better understand, plan for and serve the future long-term care needs of older adults. All data will be kept confidential and will be aggregated. Read more.

LeadingAge unveils not-for-profit governance resources
As the recognized leader of the not-for-profit long-term services and supports provider community, LeadingAge’s mission includes helping members adapt to a changing world with new generations of leaders and governance philosophies. LeadingAge has recently published extensive resources to encourage the development of engaged, creative boards. Content areas include:

CCRCs encouraged to check residents’ health insurance plans twice a year
A speaker at the LeadingAge Illinois conference this week recommends that CCRCs ask residents about their health plans twice a year to keep tabs on the increasing number of seniors being shifted into Medicare Advantage plans. These shifts may be problematic if the CCRC does not have a contract in place with the private insurer administering the Medicare Advantage plan, according to Betsy Rust from Plante Moran. Read more.

Affordable housing communities seek to help residents manage multiple medications
Some affordable housing communities around the country are developing programs to help their residents manage their multiple medications, according to Alisha Sanders from LeadingAge. She notes that a good start is to become familiar with the Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. Read more.

Nursing facilities still confused about settlement impacting therapy coverage
Nursing home providers and Medicare beneficiaries alike remain confused about Medicare changes related to a recent legal settlement. Under the settlement, Medicare will reimburse for medically necessary skilled care, even if the goal is to maintain a patient’s condition. Prior to the settlement, Medicare operated under an “improvement standard,” under which skilled care was covered only if it could lead to a beneficiary’s condition improving. Read more.

Register by Friday for Early Bird rates and to be included on survey holiday list!
The LeadingAge Oregon 2014 Annual Conference is just around the corner! Don’t forget that Friday, May 2 is the deadline to register under our Early Bird conference rates, and is also the deadline to be included on the nursing facility, ALF and RCF “survey holiday” list. Access the conference brochure and online registration link on our Annual Conference web page.

Please welcome our two new Business Associate members!
Please be sure to keep the following new Business Associate members in mind when you are searching for products and services:

Pacific Retirement Services steps up as Premier Provider Partner
AgeTech West is pleased to welcome LeadingAge Oregon member Pacific Retirement Services as a Premier Provider Partner. Premier Provider Partners are members of LeadingAge Oregon, California or Washington who wish to financially support the work of AgeTech West and receive a greater degree of focused partner involvement and premier benefits. Pacific Retirement Services also supports AgeTech West through their Chief Information Officer, Steve Eichen, who serves on the AgeTech West Advisory Council.

Guest article: Creating choices for consumer-responsive care delivery
Sean Slovenski, CEO of Care Innovations, has written this month’s AgeTech West guest article examining the growing adoption of technologies by senior living communities. He notes that increased technology adoption can lead to positive feedback from residents and loved ones, who appreciate that these innovations allow them to live independently with a greater sense of security and increased connectedness with friends, family and caregivers. Read the article.

(AgeTech West is a collaborative founded by LeadingAge California, LeadingAge Oregon and Leading Age Washington).