DIA Informs Providers to Anticipate Weekend Survey Activity

In an effort to catch up and reduce the state's survey cycle average, the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) has announced that the department is offering additional work opportunities to Health Facilities Surveyors that would allow them to work some weekends conducting nursing facility recertification surveys and complaint/incident investigations.  DIA is required by CMS to maintain a statewide average of no more than 12.9 months between surveys, and the Iowa survey cycle has gradually been increasing over the past year.  The addition of weekend surveys (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) will allow the Department to decrease the cycle average and achieve compliance with CMS standards.

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VA Recognizes Need to Connect Veterans with Adult Day 

In a recent call with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), LeadingAge learned that there has been a 2 percent increase in the utilization of Adult Day Services by veterans in recent years, compared to 17 percent growth in other services.  To turn this around, the VA expects to roll out several initiatives to boost Adult Day Services options for veterans that include:   

• A new case mix that will be rolled out in early 2019 will tie services to a need versus a set budget. If more services are needed, more will be provided.
• Integrating Adult Day Services as part of hospital discharge planning.  

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Medicaid HCBS Provider Self-Assessment Due December 1 

The HCBS Provider Quality Management Self-Assessment process was developed as one way for the state to gather data to support the quality framework performance measures as required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This annual self-assessment process is required for all Medicaid providers enrolled to provide HCBS services under the Medicaid waivers including Elderly Waiver and Brain Injury Waiver.  

Pursuant to 2018 Informational Letter 1956-MC-FFS, the completed self-assessment form and accompanying address collection tool must be received by the IME no later than December 1, 2018. Failure to submit the required documents by December 1, 2018, will jeopardize a provider’s Medicaid enrollment.

 The 2018 Provider Quality Management Self-Assessment Form is available at:  http://dhs.iowa.gov/ime/providers/enrollment/provider-quality-management-self-assessment