News In Brief - September 12, 2014

Please read and comment on Oregon's draft HCBS Transition Plan
The state of Oregon has released its draft HCBS Transition plan, which outlines how Oregon will comply with new federal regulations that define what Home and Community-based Services (HCBS) settings - i.e., adult foster homes, assisted living, residential care - qualify for Medicaid reimbursement. The new federal rules emphasize that Medicaid HCBS settings must be integrated in and support full access by their residents to the greater community. Oregon's draft Transition Plan indicates that most current Oregon settings meet many of the new requirements, but some providers may need to make program changes to meet other requirements. DHS would work with non-compliant providers, but ultimately providers unable to meet the new requirements would be terminated from Medicaid by September 2019. Comments on the plan are due no later than October 5. If you send in comments, we would appreciate your cc'ing LeadingAge staff. Read more and access the Oregon HCBS Transition Plan.

Have you registered and made your room reservation at the Hood River Inn
for the LeadingAge Oregon Fall Leadership Conference October 6-8?

State changes cosmetology exemption for nursing homes, residential care
LeadingAge Oregon was recently alerted to new rules adopted by the state Board of Cosmetology that changes the nursing home and residential care exemption to the cosmetology rules. Under the new rules, exempt individuals working in nursing homes or residential care facilities are limited to well-being and personal hygiene services, such as washing, cutting, shaving and trimming hair, beard or mustache, combing hair and basic skin and nail care. Services using chemicals, such as hair coloring and permanents, must be provided by someone with a cosmetology license. Read more about this issue and let us know how these changes may impact your organization.

ALF/RCF building, fire & life safety rules to be updated
LeadingAge Oregon is participating on a new Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) that is reviewing the building and fire & life safety sections of the ALF/RCF rules. Once an updated version of the proposed changes are available, we will send them out for member comments. Rules related to fire drills and evacuation will be updated to match the updated Oregon Fire Code. David Mills from the State Fire Marshal's office said the Fire Marshal will encourage (but will not require) that facilities use the tool in NFPA 101A to evaluate their residents' evacuation capability. If you'd like to take a look at the tool (which must be purchased from NFPA), we did find it posted online.

An ALF/RCF building boom in Oregon?
Community-based Care Program Analyst Debbie Concidine mentioned at the ALF/RCF RAC meeting this week that there's "lots of building going on" around the state these days. Debbie said the CBC team has reviewed around 20 market studies so far this year and expects they'll see 10 more before the year is up.

State schedules RN Delegation webinar training September 19
The state Office of Licensing and Regulatory Oversight is offering a free webinar training on RN Delegation in ALFs and RCFs from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 19. The program will review the expectations and responsibilities of lay caregivers who have been delegated nursing tasks as well as documentation and training requirements for RNs when they are delegating a nursing task. Read more and access the webinar link.

Are your residents with advanced dementia on meds that may do more harm than good?
A recent study indicates that a large number of nursing home residents with advanced dementia are on medications that may not benefit them, and may actually cause harm, including statins, blood thinners, Aricept and Namenda. Families and advocates are encouraged to question the purpose and value of drugs residents continue to receive as they decline. Read more about this issue.

Corporate compliance critical for Medicare providers
The most recent letter from LeadingAge President and CEO Larry Minnix emphasizes the importance of a strong corporate compliance program as past practices that were legal but questionable are now being interpreted as fraud. Read Larry's letter.

HUD bulletin updates inspection expectations
HUD recently posted a REAC-related bulletin that reviews inspection expectations in several areas, including inactive equipment, off-site notification and monitoring, door locks, junction box/wire splices, carpet stains, HVAC, range hoods and more. Read a summary of the bulletin provided by U.S. Inspection Group.

New CMS fact sheet reviews HIPAA Privacy and Security basics
CMS has released a new fact sheet, "HIPAA Privacy and Security Basics for Providers," that is available for download. This fact sheet is designed to provide education on basic HIPAA privacy and basic HIPAA security information for providers. It includes information on covered entities, business associates, and the disposal of private health information.

Preceptor Training scheduled Nov. 6
Individuals who have had their nursing home administrator license for three years (or close to it) will want to consider joining us for a Preceptor Training on Thursday, Nov. 6 at Sysco Food Services in Wilsonville. This half-day program is an approved Preceptor Training by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency. Preceptor Training is required for nursing home administrators who wish to mentor an administrator-in-training (AIT). Read more. Register for the training.

Did you know? Career Center job postings complimentary for members
For those of you who aren't aware, LeadingAge Oregon's website has a "Career Center" section where members can post open positions at no cost. Check out our current job listings and if you have a job you'd like to post, review the guidelines and e-mail the posting to Denise Wetzel, [email protected].