Stay ahead of the latest advancements and best practices in dementia care by attending Enhancing Dementia Care: Caring with Confidence next Thursday, Feb. 20. This conference, offered in a hybrid format, meets the State of Iowa’s dementia specific criteria for health care professionals who work in Iowa nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Sponsored by Right Dose, A Guardian Pharmacy, this event is approved for 6.0 CEUs for CNAs, health care assistants, activity professionals, social services staff, physical therapists, nurses, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers.
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Join us for IHCA Day on the Hill, sponsored by Medline, on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Your participation is critical, as legislators need to hear directly from you about the challenges you face and the funding necessary to continue serving Iowa’s most vulnerable populations. Please RSVP for this event by this Friday, Feb. 14.
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Lawmakers across Iowa will host legislative town halls this weekend, providing an opportunity for constituents to engage with their representatives. Events will take place in Ankeny and West Des Moines on Friday, with additional forums held across the state on Saturday and Monday. Attendees can discuss key issues, ask questions, and connect with legislators in their communities. Check the full schedule for details on locations and participating state legislators.
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Ensure your facility's safety and compliance by attending one of IHCA's 2025 Life Safety – Fire Safety Conferences. The conference in Cedar Rapids will be held March 3-4, while the Jefferson conference will take place March 5-6. Approved for 7.5 CEUs, these events are designed for environmental service managers, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers.
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Grow your skills and spring into quality improvement at IHCA’s two-day, in-person 2025 Spring Education Conference. This conference, sponsored by BCG Data Services, will take place Wednesday, March 26 and Thursday, March 27 at Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona and will offer over 25 timely sessions made specifically for long-term care professionals. This conference is approved for up to 10.0 CEUs for activity directors, nurses, social services staff, administrators, department heads, assisted living managers and home health professionals.
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IHCA is launching a four-part live webinar series designed to help long-term care leaders foster trust in their teams and organizations. Led by Jerald Cosey, founder of J.Cosey Speaks, "Leadership Foundations – The Trust Framework," will offer a unique opportunity to learn actionable leadership strategies rooted in research from Harvard experts. The series will focus on the three primary drivers of trust: empathy, logic and authenticity, and will provide practical tools to strengthen leadership capabilities and improve team dynamics. This IHCA webinar series begins next Wednesday, Feb. 12, and is approved for 6.0 CEUs for activity professionals, nurses, social services, environmental services, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers.
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Grow your skills and spring into quality improvement at IHCA’s two-day, in-person 2025 Spring Education Conference. This conference, sponsored by BCG, will take place Wednesday, March 26 and Thursday, March 27 at Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona and will offer over 25 timely sessions made specifically for long-term care professionals. This conference is approved for up to 10.0 CEUs for activity directors, nurses, social services staff, administrators, department heads, assisted living managers and home health professionals.
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Iowa Medicaid and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have identified an error in 1099-MISC tax forms sent to providers who received fee-for-service (FFS) payments in calendar year 2024. Forms postmarked Jan. 27, 2025, were issued with incorrect payer information and should be disregarded. Providers who received a form listing TIN XXXXX4568, payer name: Iowa Department of Human Services, and address: 1305 East Walnut will receive a corrected version.
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Several legislative town halls are scheduled across Iowa this Friday and Saturday, offering an opportunity to engage with state lawmakers. Events will be held in Allison, Ankeny, Manchester, Eldridge and other locations statewide, featuring discussions on key legislative issues. Attendees can hear directly from state representatives and senators on topics impacting their communities.
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Join us for IHCA Day on the Hill on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Your participation is critical, as legislators need to hear directly from you about the challenges you face and the funding necessary to continue serving Iowa’s most vulnerable populations. Please RSVP for this event by next Friday, Feb. 14.
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Ensure your facility's safety and compliance by attending one of IHCA's 2025 Life Safety – Fire Safety Conferences. The conference in Cedar Rapids will be held March 3-4, while the Jefferson conference will take place March 5-6. Approved for 7.5 CEUs, these events are designed for environmental service managers, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers.
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Accommodations are now available for IHCA’s 2025 Convention and Trade Show, taking place Sept. 21-24 at the Des Moines Marriott Hotel, located at 700 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. Attendees can enjoy a discounted rate of $143 per night (plus tax) for single or double occupancy rooms.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. The bi-weekly areas of note found in the Jan. 22 issue of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin include newly noticed nursing board rules regarding education programs, continuing education, nursing practice and more.
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Join us for IHCA Day on the Hill on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Your participation is critical, as legislators need to hear directly from you about the challenges you face and the funding necessary to continue serving Iowa’s most vulnerable populations. Please RSVP for this event by Friday, Feb. 14.
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This article provides an overview of upcoming town halls. Events are planned for this Friday in Waverly, Monticello and Baxter, with additional town halls next week in Greene, Des Moines and New Hampton.
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Accommodations are now available for IHCA’s 2025 Convention and Trade Show, taking place Sept. 21-24 at the Des Moines Marriott Hotel, located at 700 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. Attendees can enjoy a discounted rate of $143 per night (plus tax) for single or double occupancy rooms.
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Navigating the world of long-term care (LTC) can feel overwhelming, especially with the variety of terms and acronyms unique to this field. To make things easier for professionals, caregivers and others involved in long-term care, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new webpage designed to clarify frequently used terms and acronyms.
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The U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA require employers in most industries to record workplace injuries on their 300 logs within seven days of the incident. The summary of this log, 300A, is required to be posted for employee review from Feb. 1 to April 30 each year. This posting is for the calendar year immediately preceding the year of posting (the posting in February 2025 is the log for calendar year 2024). Furthermore, most senior living communities are required to submit data from their 300 logs and 300A to OSHA by March 2.
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On Jan. 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued two Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles describing changes in the 2025 immunization schedule for children, adolescents and adults. Changes related to older adults include new and updated recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV).
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. The bi-weekly areas of note found in the Jan. 8 issue of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin include newly noticed Human Services Department rules regarding nursing facilities, facility assessments, intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled (ICFs/ID) and Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT).
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Last Tuesday evening, Governor Reynolds gave her Condition of the State Address, where she discussed the strengths of the state and her policy initiatives for this session. This article contains an overview of her health care related recommendations and initiatives, as well as upcoming town halls.
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The Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant is open to eligible employers and accepting applications on iowagrants.gov until Wednesday, Feb. 19. The announced grant will provide $3 million in total funding to create new pipelines of workers to help fill high-demand occupations in the health care sector. Eligible high-demand occupations include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, direct support professionals, physical therapy assistants/technicians and more. An informative webinar for interested applicants will be held tomorrow, Jan. 23, at 11:30 a.m.
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Ensure your facility's safety and compliance by attending one of IHCA's 2025 Life Safety – Fire Safety Conferences. The conference in Cedar Rapids will be held March 3-4, while the Jefferson conference will take place March 5-6. Approved for 7.5 CEUs, these events are designed for environmental service managers, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers.
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Join IHCA next Wednesday, Jan. 22, for its virtual Workforce Management Conference. This program will explore strategies to address workforce challenges, including staff recruitment, retention and engagement and is approved for 5.0 CEUs for department heads, directors of nursing, nurse leaders, administrators, assisted living managers and home health directors.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. The bi-weekly areas of note found in the Dec. 11 and Dec. 25 issues of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin include newly noticed Human Services Department rules regarding eligibility, application for assistance, rent reimbursement, specialized managed care programs and more.
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As of Jan. 1, 2025, Iowa Medicaid will no longer cover over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits. CMS ended coverage for OTC COVID-19 test kits on May 11, 2023.
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IHCA is launching a four-part live webinar series designed to help long-term care leaders foster trust in their teams and organizations. Lead by Jerald Cosey, founder of J.Cosey Speaks, "Leadership Foundations – The Trust Framework," will offer a unique opportunity to learn actionable leadership strategies rooted in research from Harvard experts. The series will focus on the three primary drivers of trust: empathy, logic and authenticity, and will provide practical tools to strengthen leadership capabilities and improve team dynamics. This IHCA webinar series begins Feb. 12 and is approved for 6.0 CEUs for activity professionals, nurses, social services, environmental services, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers.
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Stonehill Communities, an IHCA member, is a participating provider in the CMS Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model program. Located in Dubuque, Stonehill is one of three providers in Iowa selected for this innovative initiative and will launch its program on July 1, 2025.
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As we kick off the new year, IHCA is excited to announce that the IHCA Education Center has been renamed the Brighton Consulting Group (BCG) Education Center. While the center now carries a new name, it remains the same trusted location members have come to know at the IHCA office, 1775 90th Street in West Des Moines. This change reflects the deep appreciation IHCA holds for Brighton Consulting Group and its long-standing dedication to the association and Iowa’s long-term care providers.
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On Dec. 18, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued Policy Clarification #PC00028, which reduces the allowable managed care organization (MCO) payment recoupment period to two years. The new policies, which apply to all MCO claims, took effect Jan. 1, 2025. IHCA is happy to have worked with the department on this needed change to the managed care system, providing needed relief on the administrative side of many provider’s operations.
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Join IHCA on Wednesday, Jan. 22, for its Workforce Management Conference. This conference will be offered in a hybrid format, meaning you can attend in-person or virtually. The conference will explore strategies to address workforce challenges, including staff recruitment, retention and engagement. This hybrid conference is approved for 5.0 CEUs for department heads, directors of nursing, nurse leaders, administrators, assisted living managers and home health directors.
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Recently, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued Policy Clarification #PC00028, which reduces the allowable managed care organization (MCO) payment recoupment period to two years. The new policies, which apply to all MCO claims, take effect Jan. 1, 2025. IHCA is happy to have worked with the department on this needed change to the managed care system, providing needed relief on the administrative side of many provider’s operations.
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Iowa has been selected as one of 20 states where the Unified Program Integrity Contractor (UPIC), CoventBridge, will conduct an audit of the Iowa Medicaid managed care programs (MCPs). The audit will include the managed care organizations (MCOs) and the prepaid ambulatory health plans (PAHPs). CoventBridge may request documentation from providers during the audit. The lifecycle of this audit is expected to be 13 months. Providers are required to comply with the requests for the documentation and the timeframes established by CoventBridge.
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Stay ahead of the latest advancements and best practices in dementia care by attending Enhancing Dementia Care: Caring with Confidence. This conference, offered in a hybrid format, meets the State of Iowa’s dementia specific criteria for health care professionals who work in Iowa nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This conference is approved for 6.0 CEUs for CNAs, health care assistants, activity professionals, social services staff, physical therapists, nurses, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers.
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Iowa Total Care now has Availity Essentials as its secure provider portal. On Nov. 18, 2024, providers became able to submit authorizations and access other payer resources via Availity Essentials.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. The bi-weekly areas of note found in the Nov. 13 and Nov. 27 issues of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin include newly noticed rules regarding workforce development, as well as an adopted and filed rule regarding employer records and reports.
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Join IHCA on Wednesday, Jan. 22, for its Workforce Management Conference. This conference will be offered in a hybrid format, meaning you can attend in-person or virtually. This education program explores strategies to address workforce challenges, including staff recruitment, retention and engagement. This conference is approved for 5.0 CEUs for department heads, directors of nursing, nurse leaders, administrators, assisted living managers and home health directors.
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With the 2025 Medicaid rebase quickly approaching in the upcoming legislative session, grassroots engagement is more critical than ever. IHCA's collective goal is to have all 150 state legislators visit a nursing facility before the end of the year. This is especially important with many new legislators taking office, as it provides an opportunity to educate them on the basics of rebasing, revenue sources and rising costs — key points to lay the groundwork for budget conversations during the session. To support your efforts, IHCA has compiled a suite of resources below to help facilitate productive discussions with legislators.
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IHCA’s 2025 education calendar is now available and features education opportunities for skilled nursing facilities, assisted living programs, home health agencies and continuing care retirement communities. Stay up to date on the key skills needed to serve your residents, tenants or patients with more than 65 education events in 2025 provided by IHCA. Additionally, IHCA’s on-demand education platform is accessible 24/7 and features 50+ courses covering regulatory, clinical, leadership and reimbursement topics, as well as in-service training and certification programs.
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Iowa Medicaid and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently released a reminder to providers that per their provider agreement, their ownership and control disclosure (OCD) is to be updated within 35 business days after any change in ownership or control.
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On Friday, Nov. 15, a federal judge in Texas struck down the “Overtime Rule” from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that would raise the minimum salary threshold for employees who are classified as “exempt” from payment of overtime wages under the white-collar exemptions to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Under this DOL rule, the salary threshold requirements for employees to be classified as “exempt” under the “white collar” exemptions increased in stages, the first going into effect on July 1, 2024. The next increase was scheduled for Jan. 1, 2025.
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VGM Education/CE Solutions, an IHCA Premier Partner, works with long-term care facilities to meet compliance requirements while streamlining staff education offerings through its online learning platform.
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Iowa Medicaid and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently released annual submission requirements for prevention and detection of Medicaid fraud and abuse for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025. Any provider or provider entity that receives payments, in any FFY, of $5,000,000 or more from any state Medicaid program must have written policies for all employees, including management, and for all employees of any contractor or agent. Providers are not required to send copies of their policies but must complete and return the Attestation of Compliance with Section 6032 of The Federal Deficit Reduction Act Form (470-5506) annually. The form can be found on the Iowa DHHS provider forms webpage. For the FFY ending Sept. 30, 2024, the attestation form must be received by Iowa Medicaid by Jan. 31, 2025.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Mandy Cohen has endorsed two new recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices regarding COVID-19 and pneumonia vaccines.
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On Oct. 16, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an updated warning regarding Cue Health’s COVID-19 tests due to the risk of false results. If you have Cue Health COVID-19 tests, the FDA recommends that you stop using them immediately and dispose of the entire test cartridge in your general waste. Providers should retest patients using a different FDA-authorized test if an inaccurate result is suspected from a Cue COVID-19 test.
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Lee Agency has developed strategic relationships with insurance carriers and other professional services, all of whom specialize in senior living, to ensure clients receive the best coverage and claim handling possible. Lee Agency is proud to be an IHCA Premier Partner and appreciates the opportunity to work with IHCA members.
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Several boards under the purview of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) have received reports from their licensees of scam calls and letters stating that their Iowa license is under investigation and facing suspension.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory to inform health care providers of a supply disruption of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and intravenous (IV) solutions from the Baxter International’s North Cove Facility in North Carolina, due to Hurricane Helene. The supply disruption may impact patient care and require adjustments to the clinical management of patients. Health care providers should immediately assess their supply and develop plans and mitigation strategies to reduce the impact on patient care.
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Effective Feb. 1, 2025, Iowa Total Care applied changes to prior authorization requirements. These changes are applicable to all Medicaid products. Pay special attention to the procedure codes being listed in the Prior Authorization Code List. Many of the codes commonly billed by long-term care providers are not listed and would experience no change from their current prior authorization process.
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VGM Education/CE Solutions, an IHCA Premier Partner, works with long-term care facilities to meet compliance requirements while streamlining staff education offerings through its online learning platform.
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Give your employees an opportunity to access their wages sooner, receive free one-on-one financial counseling and start a savings plan. Implement a financial wellness program for your staff through Payactiv, an IHCA endorsed product.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will host a respiratory surveillance webinar for the 2024-2025 influenza season this Friday, Oct. 11, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
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Every fall, Medicare beneficiaries are provided an opportunity to review and change their Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. It’s important for Medicare beneficiaries to remember that Prescription Drug Plan and Medicare Advantage Plan costs, benefits and providers can change each year, so evaluating options could help in finding better coverage, and even saving money. Iowa Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to evaluate and make any necessary changes to their coverage plans, as many new changes take effect in 2025.
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Iowa Medicaid and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services have updated the pharmacy prior authorization (PA) process following a Change Healthcare network outage due to a cybersecurity issue. The PA process will now revert to fax-based submissions, with forms and the Preferred Drug List (PDL) accessible on the Iowa Medicaid website.
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The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is currently recruiting qualified nurses to serve on upcoming item review and item writing panels for the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN examinations. Interested volunteers may apply directly on the NSCBN website.
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AHCA/NCAL has provided information on two current supply chain issues that may impact providers.
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Over 9,300 nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care homes, skilled care facilities, independent living communities, retirement communities and other senior care providers trust HPSI Purchasing Services for quality products and services at a low price. IHCA members have exclusive access to special member-only discounts on products and services purchased through HPSI Purchasing Services as part of IHCA Providers Solutions’ Group Purchasing Program.
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Iowa Total Care has chosen Availity Essentials as its new, secure provider portal. Starting Nov. 18, 2024, you can validate eligibility and benefits, submit claims, check claim status, submit authorizations and access Iowa Total Care payer resources via Availity Essentials.
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CMS recently released QSO-24-21-NH, Compliance with Residents’ Rights Requirement related to Nursing Home Residents’ Right to Vote. The purpose of the memo is to affirm the regulatory expectation that nursing home residents can exercise their right to vote without interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal from the facility.
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Facilities must be ready to respond to a variety of emergencies, including extreme weather events and workplace violence. To aid in this effort, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response's Technical Resources, Assistance Center and Information Exchange (ASPR TRACIE) has released new and updated health care preparedness resources. These resources are designed to help facilities comply with CMS emergency preparedness requirements and enhance their overall readiness.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. The bi-weekly areas of note found in the Sept. 18 issue of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin include newly noticed rules regarding employer records and reports and health care employment agencies and technology platforms.
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The premier event for Iowa’s long-term and post-acute care professionals, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will begin this Monday, Sept. 23, at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. Check out the online version of this year's program guide to see all this rockin' event will have to offer! Additionally, education session handouts are now available for attendees to access.
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VGM Education/CE Solutions, an IHCA Premier Partner, works with long-term care facilities to meet compliance requirements while streamlining staff education offerings through its online learning platform.
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IHCA's Convention and Trade Show is less than two weeks away! Check out the online version of this year's program guide to see all this rockin' event will have to offer! This premier event for Iowa’s long-term and post-acute care professionals, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines.
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OSHA has issued a final rule updating the Hazard Communication Standard (Haz-Com Standard) to align with the seventh revision of the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The rule was published on May 20, 2024, and became law on July 19, 2024. This updated standard is an opportunity for all long-term care centers to update their labels, Safety Data Sheets and training.
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Congratulations to IHCA member Eldora Specialty Care on receiving the 2024 Governor's Award for Quality Care in Health Care Facilities. This award recognizes Iowa-licensed health care facilities that offer unique or innovative activities to enhance the quality of care or quality of life for their residents, and facilities are nominated by residents and family members.
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Briarwood Health Care Center is selling a brand new VitaScan LT bladder scanner, including a probe, carry case, commercial grade tablet, rolling medical cart and accessories basket for $7,800. If interested, please contact Tammy Frame at
[email protected]
or 319-338-7912.
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Lee Agency has developed strategic relationships with insurance carriers and other professional services, all of whom specialize in senior living, to ensure clients receive the best coverage and claim handling possible. Lee Agency is proud to be an IHCA Premier Partner and appreciates the opportunity to work with IHCA members.
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Give your employees an opportunity to access their wages sooner, receive free one-on-one financial counseling and start a savings plan. Implement a financial wellness program for your staff through Payactiv, an IHCA endorsed product.
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IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show is quickly approaching! This annual event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. Accommodation information, education session descriptions, speaker bios, special event details and more are available on the IHCA website. Register by this Friday, Sept. 6, to avoid the $50 late registration fee.
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IHCA wants to feature the awesome moments and epic smiles that light up your community at its 2024 Convention and Trade Show! Submitted photos will be shared on the big screen during Convention’s general sessions. Please submit your photos to
[email protected] by this Friday, Sept. 6.
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On Sept. 3, 2024, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced the intent to award a managed care organization (MCO) contract to Iowa Total Care. The new Iowa Medicaid contract period begins July 1, 2025, with no change in operations. Iowa Total Care has been serving Iowa Medicaid members as a MCO since July 1, 2019. This request for proposal and resulting contract aligns all three MCO contracts to the same contract cycle. All three MCO contracts will have a final contract end date of June 30, 2031.
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Work with those who truly understand your business. IHCA is proud to partner with Iowa Long-Term Care (LTC) Risk Management Association, a group self-insured association that provides workers’ compensation coverage to more than 190 Iowa LTC providers.
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IHCA, ICAL and ICHC committees and advisory councils play an important role in providing the association with member input to guide our association in meeting the current and future needs of the profession. If you are interested in serving as a member of one of these groups in 2025, please submit an application form to express your interest by this Friday, Aug. 30.
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A $1,500 IHCA Foundation scholarship, made possible by UCare Foundation, is currently available for employees of IHCA, ICAL and ICHC members that offer home- and community-based services (HCBS) or home health services. Scholarships are available for employees interested in pursuing a career in nursing, long-term care, health care administration, physical or occupational therapy programs. Scholarships are for the 2024-2025 academic year. Applications for this scholarship are due by this Saturday, Aug. 31; apply today!
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As the long-term care sector in Iowa rapidly changes and the 2025 legislative session quickly approaches, IHCA's senior leaders have prepared a State of the Sector and Legislative Preview presentation. Member facilities and companies can schedule to have the presentation delivered in-person or virtually to leadership teams, boards, resident councils or any other constituency group that would benefit from a future-focused assessment of the sector and preview of key public policy battles ahead.
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The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Final Non-Compete Rule was released and was scheduled to go into effect on Sept. 4, 2024. The rule would make nearly all preexisting and future U.S. non-compete agreements with workers unenforceable, except for preexisting non-compete agreements with “senior executives.” Members should be aware that a federal judge in Texas has barred this rule from taking effect. The U.S. district judge said the FTC does not have the authority to ban practices it deems unfair methods of competition by adopting broad rules.
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PointClickCare is hosting its inaugural Iowa Care Collaboration Conference on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Surety Hotel in Des Moines. The event will be held from noon - 3:00 p.m. with lunch being served from noon - 1:00 p.m., followed by the event and discussion. The Care Collaboration Conference will bring together thought leaders, health plans and providers from both acute and post-acute care markets in Iowa to discuss how collaboration can be enhanced across the care continuum.
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IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show is quickly approaching! This annual event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. Accommodation information, education session descriptions, speaker bios, special event details and more are available on the IHCA website. Register by next Friday, Sept. 6, to avoid the $50 late registration fee. Additionally, the cut-off date for the discounted room rate for the Renaissance Savery Hotel and Holiday Inn Express is Sept. 1.
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IHCA wants to feature the awesome moments and epic smiles that light up your community at its 2024 Convention and Trade Show! Submitted photos will be shared on the big screen during Convention’s general sessions. Please submit your photos to
[email protected] by next Friday, Sept. 6.
Read More
IHCA, ICAL and ICHC committees and advisory councils play an important role in providing the association with member input to guide our association in meeting the current and future needs of the profession. If you are interested in serving as a member of one of these groups in 2025, please submit an application form to express your interest by next Friday, Aug. 30.
Read More
A $1,500 IHCA Foundation scholarship, made possible by UCare Foundation, is currently available for employees of IHCA/ICAL/ICHC members that offer home- and community-based services (HCBS) or home health services. Nineteen scholarships are available for employees interested in pursuing a career in nursing, long-term care, health care administration, physical or occupational therapy programs. Scholarships are for the 2024-2025 academic year. Applications for this scholarship are due by next Saturday, Aug. 31; apply today!
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The keynote speaker lineup at IHCA's 2024 Convention and Trade Show includes a variety of experts and entertainers, from the incoming AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Clif Porter, to Dan Meers, who serves as KC Wolf – the official mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs. This premier event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines.
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HealthCap, a trusted partner of AHCA, is hosting a complimentary webinar that will walk through the anatomy of a cyber-attack. This webinar will be held next Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Reviewing a contract is crucial to ensure that all terms are fair, clear and aligned with your expectations. Taking the time to thoroughly review a contract can save you from potential disputes and ensure that the agreement is in your best interest. IHCA has provided tips to help you through the process.
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VGM Education/CE Solutions, an IHCA Premier Partner, works with long-term care facilities to meet compliance requirements while streamlining staff education offerings through its online learning platform.
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A $1,500 IHCA Foundation scholarship, made possible by UCare Foundation, is currently available for employees of IHCA/ICAL/ICHC members that offer home- and community-based services (HCBS) or home health services. Nineteen scholarships are available for employees interested in pursuing a career in nursing, long-term care, health care administration, physical or occupational therapy programs. Scholarships are for the 2024-2025 academic year. Applications for this scholarship are due by Aug. 31; apply today!
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As IHCA begins its work and preparation for the 2025 legislative session, the involvement of members has become increasingly important as it relates to issues faced by nursing facilities.
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IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show is quickly approaching! This annual event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. Accommodation information, education session descriptions, speaker bios, special event details and more are available on the IHCA website.
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Molina Healthcare has issued a provider update that covers an FBI cybersecurity alert and the Molina Healthcare Provider Advisory Council.
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A $1,500 IHCA Foundation scholarship, made possible by UCare Foundation, is currently available for employees of IHCA/ICAL/ICHC members that offer home- and community-based services (HCBS) or home health services. Nineteen scholarships are available for employees interested in pursuing a career in nursing, long-term care, health care administration, physical or occupational therapy programs. Scholarships are for the 2024-2025 academic year. Applications for this scholarship are due by Aug. 31; Apply today!
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IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show is quickly approaching! This annual event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. Accommodation information, education session descriptions, speaker bios, special event details and more are available on the IHCA website.
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HealthCap, a trusted partner of AHCA, is hosting a complimentary webinar that will walk through the anatomy of a cyber-attack. This webinar will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Iowa Medicaid providers must complete enrollment revalidation every five years to remain compliant with Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §455.414. Failure to complete revalidation will result in disenrollment from the Iowa Medicaid program. Iowa Medicaid provides two notices: one at 60 days and the other 30 days prior to your revalidation due date. If you are unsure if you have received this notice or want to confirm your revalidation due date, please contact Provider Services.
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If you are a provider who has been displaced due to flooding and are unable to provide services from the location at which you are currently enrolled with Iowa Medicaid, there is no need to enroll a temporary location. Instead, you may continue to utilize your enrollment information, including location address, that is currently on file with Iowa Medicaid. If services are being rendered at a temporary location due to flooding, please indicate this on your patients’ charts.
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A new $1,500 IHCA Foundation scholarship, made possible by UCare Foundation, is for employees of IHCA/ICAL/ICHC members that offer home- and community-based services (HCBS) or home health services. Nineteen scholarships are available for employees interested in pursuing a career in nursing, long-term care, health care administration, physical or occupational therapy programs. Scholarships are for the 2024-2025 academic year. Applications for this scholarship are due by Aug. 31.
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Registration is open for IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc. The annual event will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. Additionally, accommodation information, education session descriptions, speaker bios, special event details and more are available on the IHCA website.
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Lee Agency has developed strategic relationships with insurance carriers and other professional services, all of whom specialize in senior living, to ensure clients receive the best coverage and claim handling possible. Lee Agency is proud to be an IHCA Premier Partner and appreciates the opportunity to work with IHCA members.
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Women professionals at all levels working in long-term care who seek to enhance their overall life balance and professional fulfillment are encouraged to attend IHCA’s Empowering Women in LTC Conference tomorrow, July 25. Session topics will cover leading a balanced life, self-actualization, increasing productivity and preventing burnout, and the event will end with a wine tasting experience! This conference, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., is approved for 5.0 CEUs for nurses, social services staff, activities, dietary, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers.
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Over 100 Iowans wanting to advance their health care education to work in long-term care received over $300,000 in scholarships from the IHCA Foundation last week. Scholarship recipients include current long-term care employees, as well as high school students, veterans and Iowans in rural communities wanting to join the health care profession. Scholarships provide for the cost of a variety of health care and leadership programs to equip health care workers with the skills they need to work in long-term care.
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Congratulations to the 19 long-term care leaders who graduated from IHCA's 2023-2024 Executive Health Care Leadership Institute on July 12! This year-long leadership program provides Iowa long-term care workers with the leadership fundamentals and specific technical skills needed to provide care in post-acute care settings.
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A brand new $1,500 IHCA Foundation scholarship, made possible by UCare Foundation, is for employees of IHCA/ICAL/ICHC members that offer home- and community-based services (HCBS) or home health services. Nineteen scholarships are available for employees interested in pursuing a career in nursing, long-term care, health care administration, physical or occupational therapy programs. Scholarships are for the 2024-2025 academic year. Applications for this scholarship are due by Aug. 31.
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The keynote speaker lineup at IHCA's 2024 Convention and Trade Show includes a variety of experts and entertainers, from the newly appointed AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Clif Porter, to Dan Meers, who serves as KC Wolf – the official mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs. This premier event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines.
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IHCA's Board Member On-Demand Training Series, sponsored by Williams and Company P.C., is now available for board members of long-term care organizations. This training will enhance the knowledge of those who serve on your facility’s/organization’s board of directors, and will cover board member responsibilities, recruiting board members, understanding financial systems and capital in long-term care, compliance programs and risk management.
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As we approach the upcoming IHCA, ICAL and ICHC board elections and annual business meeting, the association wants to ensure that every member has the opportunity to participate in these important events, even if they are unable to attend in person. To facilitate this, IHCA has established a proxy voting system that allows you to delegate your voting power to another member who will be present. Proxy forms are due by this Friday, July 26.
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Women professionals at all levels working in long-term care who seek to enhance their overall life balance and professional fulfillment are encouraged to attend IHCA’s Empowering Women in LTC Conference next Thursday, July 25. Session topics will cover leading a balanced life, self-actualization, increasing productivity and preventing burnout, and the event will end with a wine tasting experience! This conference, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., is approved for 5.0 CEUs for nurses, social services staff, activities, dietary, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers.
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On July 12, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released a medical alert regarding increased risk of heat related illness for persons taking antipsychotic medications. Individuals receiving antipsychotic medications are at particular risk of heat stroke and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) during periods of extreme heat. Children and the elderly are at increased risk.
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This is the premier event for Iowa’s long-term and post-acute care professionals. The annual event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. Get inspired by inspiring keynote speakers, participate in informative and timely education sessions, enjoy exciting evening entertainment and reconnect with your peers – all while earning continuing education credits to launch your career to the next level.
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VGM Education/CE Solutions, an IHCA Premier Partner, works with long-term care facilities to meet compliance requirements while streamlining staff education offerings through its online learning platform.
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The early bird registration discount for IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show will end Monday, July 15. Take advantage of this opportunity to save on education! The annual event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines.
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Join IHCA for its new live webinar, "Onboarding Staff: How Crucial Is It?" tomorrow, July 11, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Participants will learn helpful ideas on attracting potential employees, first impressions, onboarding considerations and retention strategies. This webinar is approved for 1.0 CEU for assisted living managers, administrators, nurses and department heads.
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Iowa Total Care recently announced four Provider Summits scheduled for 2024 for Iowa Total Care members. During these in-person sessions, Iowa Total Care will present on clinical practice guidelines, social determinants of health and more. Resource tables will also be available for claims support, Z codes and member-facing program information.
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The Iowa Health PAC plays a pivotal role in ensuring we have the support needed when decisions about long-term care are being made. Thanks to the support of IHCA members and Iowa Health PAC donors, the successful 2024 state legislative session resulted in the expansion of provider tools and resources to serve Iowans across the continuum of care.
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Members interested in running or nominating a candidate to serve on the IHCA, ICAL or ICHC boards of directors must complete a nomination form by no later than this Friday, July 5, 2024.
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Join IHCA for its new live webinar, "Onboarding Staff: How Crucial Is It?" next Thursday, July 11, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Participants will learn helpful ideas on attracting potential employees, first impressions, onboarding considerations and retention strategies. This webinar is approved for 1.0 CEU for assisted living managers, administrators, nurses and department heads.
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Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated recommendations for COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines. Providers should contact their pharmacies and begin the process of ordering vaccines for the upcoming season.
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CMS notes it has identified phishing scams for medical records. This may include scammers faxing providers fraudulent medical records requests to obtain patient records. If you think you received a fraudulent or questionable request, work with your medical review contractor to confirm if it is real. Submit medical documentation through the Electronic Submission of Medical Documentation (esMD) system or CMS medical review contractor secure internet portals, when available.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. The bi-weekly areas of note found in the June 26, 2024, issue of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin include human services department and professional licensure division updates.
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Registration is open for IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc. The annual event will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. IHCA members who register by July 15 will receive the early bird discounted rate of $359 for full registration. Additionally, accommodation information, education session descriptions, speaker bios, special event details and more are now available on the IHCA website.
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Lee Agency has developed strategic relationships with insurance carriers and other professional services, all of whom specialize in senior living, to ensure clients receive the best coverage and claim handling possible. Lee Agency is proud to be an IHCA Premier Partner and appreciates the opportunity to work with IHCA members.
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IHCA’s Northeast and Southeast Districts are offering eligible members the opportunity to apply for grants that will cover the cost of registration for IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show. Grants will be offered on a first come – first serve basis. Only IHCA and ICAL members that are in the Northeast or Southeast District are eligible, and a maximum of one grant will be awarded to each facility. To apply for a grant, complete the application by this Friday, June 28. Selected individuals will be contacted via email in July.
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For more than a decade, IHCA has hosted the Executive Health Care Leadership Institute to provide leaders with essential tools to advance their leadership skills. This year-long program offers up to 30.0 CEUs and includes a mix of in-person and live digital sessions that you can attend in the comfort of your own home or office. Applications for this elite leadership opportunity are due by this Sunday, June 30!
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Nominations are now being accepted for members in good standing interested in serving on the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA), Iowa Center for Assisted Living (ICAL) or Iowa Center for Home Care (ICHC) boards of directors. Members interested in running or nominating a candidate for these positions must complete a nomination form by no later than next Friday, July 5, 2024.
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IHCA is reaching out to all nursing home, assisted living and residential care facility providers in impacted flooding areas across western and northern Iowa. The association has been in contact with the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and members of legislative and executive branches. It is recommended that providers currently impacted by flooding, as well as those who anticipate impact in the coming days, to establish communication with your local emergency management office.
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Earlier this year, legislators voted to change the training requirements for mandatory reporters in Iowa. Effective July 1, 2024, mandatory reporters of both child and dependent adult abuse will be required to complete the full two-hour training course every three years to maintain current certification. Based upon this recent change in rules, the one-hour renewal course will no longer be available after June 30, 2024.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) invites you to attend town halls for the Iowa Solutions for Aging with Independence and Longevity (IA SAIL) project as they work toward building a multisector plan on aging within the state. The town hall sessions are open to the public and are an opportunity to share insights, give suggestions and discuss concerns as DHHS works to meet the needs of Iowans in all phases of the aging process.
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Iowa joins a list of several other states with individuals who have become sick, some in critical condition, after consuming Diamond Shruumz-brand products purchased through a retail store in eastern Iowa. Consumers should not eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones or gummies and should discard them. Iowa DHHS is investigating these instances and the FDA has an ongoing investigation related to these events.
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Iowa Medicaid and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently released informational letter (IL) 2577. This IL provides additional guidance to IL 2511, dated Oct. 13, 2023, regarding date span billing for durable medical equipment (DME) rental and medical supplies.
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Registration is open for IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc. The annual event will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. IHCA members who register by July 15 will receive the early bird discount rate of $359.
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VGM Education/CE Solutions, an IHCA Premier Partner, works with long-term care facilities to meet compliance requirements while streamlining staff education offerings through its online learning platform.
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Providers of post-acute health care services have been employing minors for decades. Now more than ever, employers in the long-term care, assisted living and home health settings are broadening their workforce options with young people under the age of 18 to meet the demands of their customers, combat the impact of a national workforce shortage and provide a gateway to future health care careers. Although employment of young people is beneficial to patients/residents, the system and the employees themselves, complicated federal and state rules can cause confusion and increase regulatory compliance risk for employers.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. The bi-weekly areas of note found in the June 12, 2024, issue of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin include licensure, continuing education and practice requirements for social workers and discipline when standard of care is not met.
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Iowa Medicaid and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services have provided clarification to Medicaid enrollment options for individual practitioners. Iowa Medicaid is required to comply with federal provider enrollment regulations as outlined in the 21st Century Cures Act, requiring that any provider furnishing/rendering Medicaid covered benefits must be enrolled as an Iowa Medicaid participating provider, including those providers who order services for members, prescribe medications to members and who make referrals for medically necessary services.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has contracted with the Stephen Group to conduct an assessment of and make improvement recommendations about the current value proposition of the CyncHealth statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE). This survey will provide important information about provider and state use, helping shape the future state of data exchange in Iowa. Please take a few moments to complete the survey by June 30, 2024.
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For more than a decade, IHCA has hosted the Executive Health Care Leadership Institute to provide leaders with essential tools to advance their leadership skills. This year-long program offers up to 30.0 CEUs and includes a mix of in-person and live digital sessions that you can attend in the comfort of your own home or office. Applications for this elite leadership opportunity are due by June 30!
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Join IHCA for its new live webinar, "Onboarding Staff: How Crucial Is It?" on July 11 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Participants will learn helpful ideas on attracting potential employees, first impressions, onboarding considerations and retention strategies. This webinar is approved for 1.0 CEU for assisted living managers, administrators, nurses and department heads.
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Registration is now open for IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc. The annual event will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. IHCA members who register by July 15 will receive the early bird discount rate of $359.
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IHCA’s Northeast and Southeast Districts are offering eligible members the opportunity to apply for grants that will cover the cost of registration for IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show. Grants will be offered on a first come – first serve basis. Only IHCA and ICAL members that are in the Northeast or Southeast District are eligible, and a maximum of one grant will be awarded to each facility. To apply for a grant, complete the application by Friday, June 28. Selected individuals will be contacted via email in July.
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Nominations are now being accepted for members in good standing interested in serving on the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA), Iowa Center for Assisted Living (ICAL) or Iowa Center for Home Care (ICHC) boards of directors. Members interested in running or nominating a candidate for these positions must complete a nomination form by no later than July 5, 2024.
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Give your employees an opportunity to access their wages sooner, receive free one-on-one financial counseling and start a savings plan. Implement a financial wellness program for your staff through Payactiv, an IHCA endorsed product.
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For more than a decade, IHCA has hosted the Executive Health Care Leadership Institute to provide leaders with essential tools to advance their leadership skills. This year-long program offers up to 30.0 CEUs and includes a mix of in-person and live digital sessions that you can attend in the comfort of your own home or office. Applications for this elite leadership opportunity are due by June 30!
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Within the past week, several IHCA members have reached out with questions about notices received from their learning management systems related to dependent adult and child abuse mandatory reporter certification. IHCA has provided further clarification to ensure providers understand the ongoing requirements for mandatory reporter recertification.
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As tornadic activity has been making headlines right here in Iowa this spring, long-term care facilities and assisted living programs should be assessing their preparedness for such events. This includes reviewing procedures, mitigating hazards, providing training and testing plans through drills and exercises.
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During the national public health emergency, Iowa Medicaid suspended prescription copayments for all members. Effective July 1, 2024, member copayments of $1.00 for covered prescription and nonprescription drugs will be reinstated. This guidance applies to Fee-for-Service members only. Copayments for outpatient prescription drugs do not apply to members covered under a managed care plan.
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Iowa Total Care released a provider news alert regarding an announcement of four Provider Summits scheduled for 2024.
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Registration is now open for IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc. The annual event will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. IHCA members who register by July 15 will receive the early bird discount rate of $359.
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Nominations are now being accepted for members in good standing interested in serving on the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA), Iowa Center for Assisted Living (ICAL) or Iowa Center for Home Care (ICHC) boards of directors. Members interested in running or nominating a candidate for these positions must complete a nomination form by no later than July 5, 2024.
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Work with those who truly understand your business. IHCA is proud to partner with Iowa Long-Term Care (LTC) Risk Management Association, a group self-insured association that provides workers’ compensation coverage to more than 190 Iowa LTC providers.
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Part one of IHCA's on-demand series, "Cybersecurity Essentials for LTC - Protecting Yourself, Your Facility and Your Residents, sponsored by CLA, is now available on-demand. This three-part virtual series focuses on cybersecurity hygiene, ransomware resilience and defending against business email compromise. Sessions two and three will be available to access on June 19 and July 10, respectively. This series is approved for 3.0 CEUs for activity professionals, dietary staff, social services, nurses, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers. Attendees must watch or attend all three sessions to earn credit.
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IHCA’s Sensitivity and Cultural Competency webinar, held tomorrow, June 6, will explore the regulatory and employee expectations for diversity, equity and inclusion in matters of communication and responsiveness to the potential barriers to harmony. This webinar will be recorded and is approved for 1.5 CEUs for activity professionals, dietary staff, social services, nurses, department heads, nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers.
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Registration is now open for IHCA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc. The annual event will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines. IHCA members who register by July 15 will receive the early bird discount rate of $359.
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The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is currently recruiting qualified nurses to serve on upcoming item review and item writing panels for the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN examinations. The NCLEX is designed to test the knowledge, skills and abilities essential to safe and effective nursing practice at the entry level. The process of developing items (questions) for the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN examinations requires multiple steps and involves many qualified volunteer nurses to write and review items. All volunteer opportunities are held at the NCSBN office in downtown Chicago, and travel expenses, including airfare, lodging and meals, are covered by NCSBN. Interested volunteers may apply directly on the NCSBN website.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. The bi-weekly area of note found in the May 29, 2024, issue of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin includes agency realignment within the Human Services Department.
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The Iowa Health PAC plays a pivotal role in ensuring we have the support needed when decisions about long-term care are being made. Thanks to the support of IHCA members and Iowa Health PAC donors, the successful 2024 state legislative session resulted in the expansion of provider tools and resources to serve Iowans across the continuum of care. Check out the new 2024 Iowa Health PAC Report to view the direct results Iowa Health PAC had on this year’s biggest legislative outcomes.
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Nominations are now being accepted for members in good standing interested in serving on the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA), Iowa Center for Assisted Living (ICAL) or Iowa Center for Home Care (ICHC) boards of directors. Members interested in running or nominating a candidate for these positions must complete a nomination form by no later than July 5, 2024.
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Lee Agency has developed strategic relationships with insurance carriers and other professional services, all of whom specialize in senior living, to ensure clients receive the best coverage and claim handling possible. Lee Agency is proud to be an IHCA Premier Partner and appreciates the opportunity to work with IHCA members.
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The IHCA Foundation is offering 88 scholarships to help members address current workforce challenges and to help meet future care demands. Scholarship opportunities are available...
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Join IHCA for its Fortifying Your Digital Fortress - Cybersecurity Series, sponsored by CLA, beginning on June 5. This three-part virtual series will take place...
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Iowa Medicaid and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently released informational letter (IL) 2589 regarding Iowa Solutions for Aging with Independence...
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Join IHCA on Thursday, July 25 for its inaugural Empowering Women in LTC Conference, a transformative event dedicated to uplifting and inspiring women in the...
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Join IHCA next tomorrow, May 23, for its Medicaid HCBS Elderly Waiver Program, sponsored by Healthcare of Iowa. The course will include an overview of Iowa’s home- and community-based services (HCBS) elderly waiver program, how to understand, implement and manage the changes to HCBS waiver programs, as well as an elderly waiver Q&A session with Iowa's managed care organizations. This in-person education offers 5.0 CEUs for nurses, social services staff, nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers.
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Join IHCA next Tuesday, May 28, at 1:00 p.m. for a new webinar, Understanding the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued regulations to assist employers in complying with the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. This webinar will focus on those changes, as well as practical steps to take for compliance. This webinar is approved for 1.0 CEU for administrators, assisted living managers and department heads.
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Join IHCA next Wednesday, May 29, for the Care Continuum Conference, sponsored by CLA and held in Cedar Falls at the Diamond Events Center. This conference will provide a unique opportunity for senior living leaders to gain valuable insights, enhance their skills and connect with peers in the industry. This conference is approved for 4.0 CEUs for nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers.
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This year, the IHCA Foundation is offering 88 scholarships to help members address current workforce challenges and to help meet future care demands. Applications for all 2024 scholarship programs are due next Friday, May 31. Apply today! Additionally this week, IHCA Foundation highlights the MolinaCares High School Scholarship, made possible by The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation (MolinaCares), for Iowa high school seniors enrolled in a nursing program upon graduation from high school. It is intended for those interested in a future career in long-term care.
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and CMS recently issued a final rule, Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities, which advances protections against discrimination in health care. The purpose of the rule is to restore protections against discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age and disability. AHCA/NCAL has developed a member summary that highlights the impacts on long-term care providers.
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VGM Education/CE Solutions, an IHCA Premier Partner, works with long-term care facilities to meet compliance requirements while streamlining staff education offerings through its online learning platform.
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Join IHCA next Thursday, May 23, for its Medicaid HCBS Elderly Waiver Program, sponsored by Healthcare of Iowa. The course will include an overview of Iowa’s home- and community-based services (HCBS) elderly waiver program, how to understand, implement and manage the changes to HCBS waiver programs, as well as an elderly waiver Q&A session with Iowa's managed care organizations. This in-person education offers 5.0 CEUs for nurses, social services staff, nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers.
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AHCA recently reported that last week, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that its direct Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) claims processing systems are back online following the Change Healthcare cybersecurity breach. If you submit medical claims directly to VA and were impacted by the recent Change Healthcare incident, you can now submit using the same VA Payer IDs.
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The $2,000 Linda Juckette Family Rural and Veteran Scholarship, made possible by the Linda Juckette Family Fund, is for anyone who is a veteran or active-duty military personnel OR resides in a rural Iowa county and is interested in pursuing a health care education with the goal of joining the long-term care profession. Scholarships will be offered to assist toward tuition for rural Iowa residents and military veterans interested in pursuing nursing or health care administration degree programs or long-term care certification programs. A total of five scholarships are available. Applications for this scholarship program are due by May 31, 2024.
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Receive remote completion of your facility's MDS assessments by IHCA’s expert consultants with the Remote MDS Service from IHCA Provider Solutions.
IHCA’s consultants also develop care plans that align with the MDS and provide expert feedback on PDPM scoring and guidance to maximize QM outcomes.
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Join IHCA tomorrow, May 9, for its East May District Education event in Cedar Rapids at the Hilton Garden Inn. Topics covered will include human resources essentials, a legislative update and regulatory self-defense for assisted living and nursing facilities. This is a member-only education, and the district meetings will take place during lunch. The education sessions will offer 4.0 CEUs for nurses, administrators, department heads and assisted living managers.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. Bi-weekly areas of note found in the May 1, 2024, issue of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin include standards for certificate of need review and the certificate of need program.
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Two bills impacting long-term care providers were signed by Governor Reynolds last week — one relating to nursing home provisional licenses and one that establishes an interstate license for social workers. Both of these bills accomplish legislative priorities set forth by IHCA and its membership for the 2024 legislative session.
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Apply to receive a free registration to a director of nursing (DON) certification program held at IHCA on Nov. 12-15 by applying for the Care Initiatives DON Leadership Scholarship, made possible by Care Initiatives. This scholarship is for assistant DONs or RNs who are employed by an IHCA, ICAL or ICHC member facility, and a total of 12 scholarships are available. Applications are due May 31.
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Dentons Davis Brown recently released two articles that may be of interest to members regarding payroll rounding policies and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
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The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is fighting for a different future. For families facing the disease today. For more time. For treatments. We’re closer than ever to stopping Alzheimer’s. But to get there, the Alzheimer's Association needs your help. Join them in your community for the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease.
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Join IHCA on May 7 and 9 for its May District Education events! The events will be held in Jefferson on May 7 and in Cedar Rapids on May 9. Topics covered will include human resources essentials, a legislative update and regulatory self-defense for assisted living and nursing facilities. The education sessions will offer 4.0 CEUs for nurses, administrators, department heads and assisted living managers.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) invites post-acute providers to attend the 2024 Iowa Infection Prevention and Control Conference on May 7 and 8 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. This two-day, in-person conference brings together medical professionals invested in the improvement and management of evidence-based infection prevention and control principles. This program will be of particular interest to infection preventionists, medical directors and providers, nurses and allied health professionals involved in the advancement of infection prevention in the post-acute setting.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. A bi-weekly area of note found in the April 17, 2024, issue of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin includes a newly noticed rule regarding health care employment agencies.
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Iowa Medicaid and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently released informational letter (IL) 2579 to clarify the process of a Change of Ownership (CHOW) and the responsibilities of the seller and buyer. To minimize any delays, Iowa Medicaid requests that a CHOW notice is submitted at least 60 days prior to the change. The CHOW notice must also be submitted to the managed care organizations (MCOs) and/or the prepaid ambulatory health plan (PAHPs).
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On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Final Non-Compete Rule and U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Overtime Rule were released. AHCA/NCAL commented on the proposed rules during the open comment periods and has developed a summary of the final rules, as well as their potential impacts on long-term care providers.
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The 2024 IHCA Foundation Member Employee Scholarship is for employees of IHCA, ICAL and ICHC member organizations looking to advance their health care education via nursing, health care administration, or physical or occupational therapy programs. A total of 13 $1,500 scholarships are available. These scholarships are made possible by the Iowa Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (IPALTC), IHCA Districts and Nurse Connect.
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IHCA has several upcoming education opportunities available, including its Advanced Strategies for Infection Prevention and Control in-person event on June 18, Staff Burnout and Prevention Webinar on June 18, Activity Professionals Workshop on June 19 and LTC Dietary Conference on June 20.
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Join IHCA on May 7 and 9 for its May District Education events! The events will be held in Jefferson on May 7 and in Cedar Rapids on May 9. Topics covered will include human resources essentials, a legislative update and regulatory self-defense for assisted living and nursing facilities. The education sessions will offer 4.0 CEUs for nurses, administrators, department heads and assisted living managers.
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The Iowa Legislature adjourned sine die on April 20, following a successful 104-day session for the long-term care profession. IHCA's 2024 Legislative Session Report provides a summary of what IHCA assesses to be final legislative outcomes of the legislative priorities set forth by the IHCA, ICAL and ICHC boards and the legislative committee for the 2024 session. Many of the bills still await Governor Reynolds’ signature, but IHCA assesses a high probability that she will sign the bills into law. IHCA will provide final outcomes in the coming weeks.
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In July 2019, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) introduced updated mandatory reporter training modules for child and dependent adult abuse, updating the renewal cadence requirement from five years to three and allowing any mandatory reporter training completed prior to July 1, 2019, to remain valid for five years. As we approach the five-year anniversary of the rule change, members are reminded that mandatory reporters with certificates issued prior to July 1, 2019, should update their training certificates with the newer version of the DHHS-approved training, which can be found on IHCA’s on-demand education platform.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) invites post-acute providers to attend the 2024 Iowa Infection Prevention and Control Conference on May 7 and 8 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. This two-day, in-person conference brings together medical professionals invested in the improvement and management of evidence-based infection prevention and control principles. This program will be of particular interest to infection preventionists, medical directors and providers, nurses and allied health professionals involved in the advancement of infection prevention in the post-acute setting.
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A total of nine scholarships are available to cover the full $1,500 registration fee for members interested in attending the 2024-25 IHCA Executive Health Care Leadership Institute. These scholarships are made possible by Iowa Total Care, and applications are due May 31.
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Join IHCA for its Fortifying Your Digital Fortress - Cybersecurity Series, sponsored by CLA, beginning on June 5. This three-part virtual series will take place on three separate dates and will focus on cybersecurity hygiene, ransomware resilience and defending against business email compromise. Attendees will learn to identify common threats and online behaviors that can lead to increased exposure, gain insights into the latest ransomware threat landscape and develop and refine incident response plans. This course is approved for 3.0 CEUs for activity professionals, dietary staff, social services, nurses, department heads, administrators and assisted living managers.
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Post-acute providers, such as nursing facilities, assisted living programs, residential care facilities and home health agencies, along with other provider types in Iowa, are required to complete both criminal background checks and dependent adult/child abuse registry reviews using the SING platform prior to employment of an individual. Provider types not required by state rules to complete background checks and/or abuse registry reviews may not be allowed access to the SING platform at the current time. Therefore, IHCA recommends that members partner only with health care employment agencies that are registered with the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) due to the risk of incomplete background check and abuse registry reviews.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) invites medical professionals to attend the virtual 2024 Annual Governor’s Conference on Substance Use, Prevention, Treatment and Recovery next Tuesday, April 23, and Wednesday, April 24.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) invites post-acute providers to attend the 2024 Iowa Infection Prevention and Control Conference on May 7 and 8 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. This two-day, in-person conference brings together medical professionals invested in the improvement and management of evidence-based infection prevention and control principles. This program will be of particular interest to infection preventionists, medical directors and providers, nurses and allied health professionals involved in the advancement of infection prevention in the post-acute setting.
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The John W. & Kimberly D. Grubb Registered Nurse (RN) Scholarship Program, made possible by the John R. and Zelda Z. Grubb Charitable Foundation, is for employees of IHCA member organizations who are pursuing an accredited RN degree or seeking to advance their nursing degree. A total of 40 $4,000 scholarships are available for IHCA member employees enrolled in an accredited RN degree program.
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Each week of Iowa’s 2024 legislative session, IHCA provides a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care. This week’s updates involve bills related to nursing home administrator provisional licenses, social work licensure compact and more. Additionally, IHCA has provided budget update, as well as a list of upcoming town halls where you can advocate for long-term care in-person.
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Join IHCA on May 7 and 9 for its May District Education events! The events will be held in Jefferson on May 7 and in Cedar Rapids on May 9. Topics covered will include human resources essentials, a legislative update and regulatory self-defense for assisted living and nursing facilities. The education sessions will offer 4.0 CEUs for nurses, administrators, department heads and assisted living managers.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated recommendations for U.S. suppliers of plastic syringes, consumers, health care providers and facilities.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) invites medical professionals to attend the 2024 Annual Governor’s Conference on Substance Use, Prevention, Treatment and Recovery on April 23 and 24. The purpose of the conference is to establish a meaningful dialogue among health professionals by focusing on trending topics, best practices and strategies for addressing barriers in behavioral health. This year’s conference will be hosted virtually to enable professionals from many geographical areas to participate.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) invites post-acute providers to attend the 2024 Iowa Infection Prevention and Control Conference on May 7 and 8 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. This two-day, in-person conference brings together medical professionals invested in the improvement and management of evidence-based infection prevention and control principles. This program will be of particular interest to infection preventionists, medical directors and providers, nurses and allied health professionals involved in the advancement of infection prevention in the post-acute setting.
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Have a team of expert consultants complete your facility’s MDS assessments remotely and develop care plans that align with the MDS with our Remote MDS Service from IHCA Provider Solutions. While IHCA’s Remote MDS Service is not intended to be a permanent staffing solution, it can assist you in tackling staffing challenges by filling temporary gaps to maintain timely and accurate MDS submissions.
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Healthcare Academy is hosting a free webinar titled, “Mastering Behavioral-Based and Peer Interviewing,” on Wednesday, May 8 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. This webinar will feature Todd Hendricks from Huron Consulting Group, who will share strategies to elevate the selection, retention and engagement of employees through effective interviewing techniques.
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This year the IHCA Foundation is offering 88 scholarships, totaling more than $200,000, to help individuals interested in pursuing or advancing their career in long-term care. Applications are now open and run through May 31 for current long-term care employees seeking to advance their health care or leadership skills, as well as high school seniors, veterans or individuals residing in rural Iowa counties who are pursuing an education in health care.
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Each week of Iowa’s 2024 legislative session, IHCA provides a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care. This week’s updates involve bills related to nursing home administrator provisional licenses, dementia service specialists and providing an appropriation, social work licensure compact and more.
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Join IHCA on May 29 at the Diamond Event Center in Cedar Falls for its Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) Conference, sponsored by CLA. Whether you’re a seasoned administrator seeking to stay current with industry trends or an owner looking to optimize the performance of your CCRC, this program will deliver expert insights, actionable strategies and invaluable networking opportunities to propel your community to new heights of success. This conference is approved for 4.0 CEUs for administrators and assisted living managers.
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Congratulations to IHCA member Stonehill Communities in Dubuque on being selected as a participant in the CMS Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model program.
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This year the IHCA Foundation is offering 88 scholarships, totaling more than $200,000, to help individuals interested in pursuing or advancing their career in long-term care. Applications are now open and run through May 31 for current long-term care employees seeking to advance their health care or leadership skills, as well as high school seniors, veterans or individuals residing in rural Iowa counties who are pursuing an education in health care.
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Next Wednesday, April 10, from noon-1:00 p.m., Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will host a free webinar for all health care professionals interested in understanding
microbiology culture and sensitivity reports. Discussion will include the differences between gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, drug resistance and emerging pathogens.
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Each week of Iowa’s 2024 legislative session, IHCA provides a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care. This week’s updates involve bills related to nursing home administrator provisional licenses, social work licensure compact, dementia service specialists, statewide dementia care coordination and more. Additionally, IHCA has provided information on House budget targets, as well as a list of upcoming town halls where you can advocate for long-term care in-person.
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On March 25, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), CMS and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) provided additional information and resources for providers impacted by the Change Healthcare security incident. Resources include information to help providers connect with payers, links to payer resources, information on advanced payments and more.
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Each week of Iowa’s 2024 legislative session, IHCA provides a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care. This week’s updates involve bills related to nursing home administrator provisional licenses, social work licensure compact, dementia service specialists, statewide dementia care coordination and more. Additionally, IHCA has provided a list of upcoming town halls where you can advocate for long-term care in-person.
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This year the IHCA Foundation is offering 88 scholarships, totaling more than $200,000, to help individuals interested in pursuing or advancing their career in long-term care. Applications will open this Sunday and run through May 31 for current long-term care employees seeking to advance their health care or leadership skills, as well as high school seniors, veterans or individuals residing in rural Iowa counties who are pursuing an education in health care.
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On Wednesday, April 10, from noon-1:00 p.m., Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will host a free webinar for all health care professionals interested in learning more about understanding a culture and sensitivity report. Discussion will include the differences between gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, drug resistance and emerging pathogens.
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CMS recently posted a fact sheet with additional guidance for providers and Medicare Administrative Contractors impacted by the Change Healthcare security incident. The fact sheet specifically focuses on frequently asked questions about implementing the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) Accelerated Payments program.
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The Iowa Legislature recently passed legislation, which now awaits the signature of the Governor, that was spearheaded by IHCA (HF 2263 / SF 2153) that expressly authorizes the inclusion of home health care services in the continuum of care offered by Iowa’s continuing care retirement communities (“CCRCs”). With the passage of these changes to Iowa Code Chapter 523D, Iowa’s long-term care providers will be able to offer new products and services that meet seniors in the community prior to the need for facility-based care.
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This week's legislative update contains information on the candidate filing deadline, legislator retirements and 2024 primary candidates. Additionally, IHCA continues to provide a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care. This week’s updates involve bills related to nursing home provisional administrator licenses, social work licensure compact, advanced registered nurse practitioner preceptor tax credit, statewide dementia care coordination and more.
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Earn CEUs at your convenience by taking advantage of IHCA’s on-demand catalog of educational offerings. On-demand courses are available 24/7 and can be completed at your own pace. IHCA offers more than 30 on-demand courses covering subjects such as adverse drug effects, trauma-informed care, relocation stress and much more. The on-demand catalog is now organized by facility type and job role, making it easy to find educational offerings relevant to you. You can access IHCA’s on-demand catalog by selecting “On-Demand Learning” from the education dropdown on the IHCA homepage.
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As shared previously, UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s technology subsidiary Change Healthcare announced that its systems were adversely affected by a security incident a few weeks ago. AHCA/NCAL has advocated that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CMS take specific actions in response to this issue. Over the weekend, CMS took steps to expand financial relief opportunities for impacted providers, consistent with what AHCA/NCAL recommended. AHCA/NCAL has provided a summary of the recent announcements and relief options currently available to providers.
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Each week of the 2024 legislative session, IHCA will provide a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care. This week’s updates involve bills related to nursing home administrator provisional licenses, dietitian licensure compact, nursing home administrator training pilot program, health care employment agencies, statewide dementia care coordination and more.
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If your facility is in need of an MDS coordinator or additional MDS support — our experts can help. IHCA Provider Solutions has expanded its Professional Clinical Support Services to include a Remote MDS Service, in addition to MDS and EHR Consulting. Through IHCA’s Remote MDS Service, IHCA’s team of expert consultants complete your facility’s MDS assessments remotely and develop care plans that align with the MDS.
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Join IHCA on May 7 and 9 for its May District Education and Meeting events! The events will be held in Jefferson on May 7 and in Cedar Rapids on May 9. Topics covered will include human resources essentials, a legislative update and regulatory self defense for assisted living and nursing facilities. The education sessions will offer 4.0 CEUs for nurses, administrators, department heads and assisted living managers. These events are sponsored by CE Solutions, HPSI Purchasing Services, Healthcare of Iowa, McKesson and Trio Pharmacy Services.
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Join IHCA on May 23 for its Medicaid HCBS Elderly Waiver Review Class, sponsored by Healthcare of Iowa. The course will include an overview of Iowa’s home- and community-based (HCBS) elderly waiver program, how to understand, implement and manage the changes to HCBS waiver programs, as well as an elderly waiver Q&A session with Iowa's managed care organizations. This in-person education offers 5.0 CEUs for nurses, social services staff, nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers.
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Indwelling devices, such as central intravenous lines and foley urinary catheters, are necessary tools to help treat people who are ill. While these devices do not cause infections, they can provide a route for germs to enter the body if not inserted and maintained properly. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and ECRI are offering a complimentary webinar next Tuesday, March 13, from noon - 1:00 p.m. to highlight best practices to prevent device-related infections and device management.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will soon launch an updated website as part of its Digital Communication Modernization and Clean Slate initiatives. Before the new website launches, the CDC is inviting partners to preview and provide feedback on a subset of test pages. The beta pages are available through March 29, 2024. This beta site will feature selected topics, offering a sneak peek into what's coming once the website is officially launched in the coming months.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. The bi-weekly areas of note found in the Feb. 21, 2024 issue of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin include licensure of physician assistants and social workers, continuing education, discipline and practice of social workers, declaratory orders, petitions for rule-making and more.
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Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor published a final rule, entitled Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which goes into effect on March 11, 2024. This rule revises the Department’s guidance on how the agency determines who is an employee or independent contractor under the FLSA. AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar this Friday, March 8, at noon on how the new final rule will impact the workplace of long-term care providers and answer providers' questions.
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Molina Healthcare recently provided an updated Provider Bulletin regarding the Optum-Change Healthcare outage that has impacted electronic claims submissions, as well as payment and settlement services. Molina Healthcare encourages all providers submitting paper claims to explore its electronic submission options.
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Each week of the 2024 legislative session, IHCA will provide a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care. This week’s updates involve bills related to nursing home administrator provisional licenses, dietitian licensure compact, nursing home administrator training pilot program, health care employment agencies, statewide dementia care coordination and more.
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Providers for both managed care and fee-for-service must begin using the updated universal forms for requesting medical prior authorizations (PAs). The updated universal forms include one PA request form for outpatient services (470-5595), another PA form for inpatient services (470-5594) and a supplemental form (470-5619) for additional provider addresses, member diagnosis and procedure codes. All medical PA requests must be submitted on the new universal forms.
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On Feb. 21, Change Healthcare, a software and data analytics subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group’s Optum unit, experienced a cybersecurity incident that has impacted its network and operations. The cybersecurity incident has created a service disruption impacting Iowa Total Care’s members and provider network in several ways. As of now, Change Healthcare has not provided a timeline for resolution. To protect members and providers, Iowa Total Care fully disconnected system access to and from Change Healthcare on Feb. 21. Iowa Total Care is working on multiple solutions to restore provider functionality and ensure continuity of care for its members and will continue to provide updates as this situation evolves.
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Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor published a final rule, entitled Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which goes into effect on March 11, 2024. This rule revises the Department’s guidance on how the agency determines who is an employee or independent contractor under the FLSA. AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar next Friday, March 8 at noon on how the new final rule will impact the workplace of long-term care providers and answer providers' questions.
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Each week of the 2024 legislative session, IHCA will provide a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care. This week’s updates involve bills related to nursing home administrator provisional licenses, electronic monitoring in nursing facilities, advanced registered nurse practitioner preceptor tax credit, dietitian licensure compact, statewide dementia care coordination and more.
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As required by federal regulations at 42 CFR 455.460, Iowa Medicaid began requiring an application fee for certain newly enrolling and re-enrolling providers on Aug. 1, 2016. The application fee is required with initial applications for new enrollment, applications for a new practice location and any re-enrollment. Providers will be required to pay an application fee set by CMS before the application can be processed. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the fee amount is $709.00. This may be adjusted annually.
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Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor published a final rule, Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which goes into effect on March 11, 2024. This rule revises the Department’s guidance on how the agency determines who is an employee or independent contractor under the FLSA. The new standard will, in certain circumstances, make it more difficult for long-term care providers to properly classify a worker as an independent contractor.
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Each week of the 2024 legislative session, IHCA will provide a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care. This week’s updates involve bills related to nursing home administrator provisional licenses, electronic monitoring in nursing facilities, advanced registered nurse practitioner preceptor tax credit, dietician licensure compact, statewide dementia care coordination and more.
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Make sure you are taking advantage of all the benefits your IHCA membership has to offer by reviewing IHCA’s new member benefits guide. This comprehensive guide provides information on how to access an array of resources available to you as an IHCA member.
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Each week of the 2024 legislative session, IHCA will provide a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care. This week’s updates involve bills related to Medicaid, a home administrator training pilot program, authorized electronic monitoring in nursing facilities, health care employment agencies, nursing home administrator provisional licenses and more.
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A letter to the editor from Brent Willett, IHCA President and CEO, was recently published in the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune regarding expansion of home-and community-based services (HCBS), "Benefits to expansion of Iowa's HCBS delivery system."
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The Iowa Legislature convened Monday, Jan. 8 at 10:00 a.m. for the second year of the 90th Iowa General Assembly. Each week of the 2024 legislative session IHCA will provide a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care.
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The Train More Nurses Act (S. 2853) was agreed to unanimously by the U.S. Senate on Jan. 24, 2024. It will move next to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. This bipartisan bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor to conduct a review of all nursing grant programs to find ways to increase faculty at nursing schools, particularly in underserved areas. It also increases pathways for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to become registered nurses (RNs).
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The Iowa Legislature convened Monday, Jan. 8 at 10:00 a.m. for the second year of the 90th Iowa General Assembly. Each week of the 2024 legislative session IHCA will provide a brief summary of bill-related updates regarding long-term care.
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Are you currently responsible for the medical direction of a health care entity in the event of a disaster? Are you interested in serving in that role in the future? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Technical Resources, Assistance Center and Information Exchange (TRACIE) will host the Medical Leadership in Disaster Preparedness and Response Virtual Conference on Feb. 7-8, 2024. This two half-day virtual, interactive conference will feature individuals who have a medical direction role during disasters for their health care facility. Participants are encouraged to register early, as attendance will be limited.
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Molina Iowa Provider Relations has provided a few reminders for members as they head into the new year, including upcoming Availity trainings, a new Molina Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) work group and Iowa Molina Provider Advisory Council, updated provider relations contacts, an Electronic Visit Verification reminder, as well as a reminder on redetermination.
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Iowa Medicaid and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently released informational letter (IL) 2538 about annual submission requirements regarding prevention and detection of Medicaid fraud and abuse. This IL applies to you if you are a provider, or part of a provider entity, that receives payments of $5,000,000 or more from Iowa Medicaid in any federal fiscal year (Oct. 1 to Sept. 30).
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Amerigroup Iowa, a subsidiary of Elevance Health serving Medicaid enrollees, recently released a press release indicating that it will begin rebranding as Wellpoint in January 2024. There will be no impact or changes to current Amerigroup members’ health care benefits or coverage. Members will continue to have access to their established primary care providers, specialists, hospitals and other health care facilities. There will be no changes to Amerigroup Iowa's agreements or levels of support with their health care providers – now or in the future – because of this name change. Providers who serve current Amerigroup members will also have continued access to tools and resources to help streamline day-to-day administrative tasks.
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Are you currently responsible for the medical direction of a health care entity in the event of a disaster? Are you interested in serving in that role in the future? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Technical Resources, Assistance Center and Information Exchange (TRACIE) will host the Medical Leadership in Disaster Preparedness and Response Virtual Conference on Feb. 7-8, 2024. This two half-day virtual, interactive conference will feature individuals who have a medical direction role during disasters for their health care facility. Participants are encouraged to register early, as attendance will be limited.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) invites you to attend the 2024 Antimicrobial Stewardship Summit on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. This one-day event is designed to highlight the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, illustrate implementation strategies to promote organization-wide incorporation and improve patient/resident outcomes. IHCA encourages members to reserve this date on the calendar and plan to attend. Registration is not yet available but will be shared by IHCA when the link is provided.
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Please take a moment to view and share with your staff a brief holiday greeting from IHCA President and CEO Brent Willett reminding members that the work you do and the care you provide has never mattered more.
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Beginning Jan. 2, 2024, a revised Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) rule will go into effect. This new rule clarifies that nurses relocating to another compact state will have 60 days from the date of relocation to apply for licensure in the new state of primary residence. Although nurses holding a compact license have been required to obtain a license in their state of primary residence since 2018, this revision creates a timeframe for which this action must be completed.
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Within long-term care (LTC), where meticulous recording and documentation are routine practices, the analysis of both resident and employee events takes a central role. Employee injury and illness tracking is governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under 29 CFR Part 1904. This article serves as the first installment of a two-part series on OSHA recordkeeping. In this initial piece, AHCA/NCAL introduces the OSHA Standard and covers terms and key insights. The subsequent article will cover the new regulations set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
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As reported in July, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is expanding its requirements to electronically submit employee injury data through its Final Rule on Improving Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses. The updated regulation requires electronic submission of OSHA 300 Logs and Form 301 (incident reports), in addition to the 300A summaries that are already submitted electronically. It's essential to understand that while this updated regulation goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, it applies to the 2023 data you'll be submitting before March 2024. Meaning, the current year (2023) 300 Logs, Form 301, and 300A summaries must comply with this new requirement and be submitted before March 2, 2024.
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Both Republican and Democratic caucuses are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 15. Only individuals registered with the Republican or Democratic parties and eligible to vote in the Nov. 5, 2024 election can participate in the Republican and Democratic caucuses. IHCA has provided information relating to how each party's caucus will operate, as some changes have occurred for the upcoming caucuses.
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The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) is scheduled to meet today, Dec. 13. The REC's purpose is to make revenue estimates for the General Fund for the current fiscal year and the following fiscal year. The revenue estimates established at the December meeting must be used by the governor in the preparation of her budget message in January and by the General Assembly in the budget process for FY 2025, unless a meeting at a later date establishes a lower estimate.
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Klein Center in West Burlington has a working Medco wheelchair washer for sale for $1,000 or best offer. If interested, please contact Beth Fleming, administrator of Klein Center, at 319-768-4619.
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Iowa Medicaid and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently released informational letter (IL) 2535 regarding upcoming Iowa Medicaid pharmacy program changes effective Jan. 1, 2024. The letter includes information regarding changes to the preferred drug list (PDL), new drug prior authorization (PA) criteria, changes to existing PA criteria, point of sale billing and Drug Utilization Review (DUR) updates.
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