#AHCA compliance | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

hislop3 · 3 months

Text

Penn and Teller and the Disappearing SNF

When I got married to my wife and business partner (the partner came after), part of our honeymoon was spent in Las Vegas. While there, we caught Penn and Teller’s Vegas show and it was AWESOME! I love magic and in particular, the kind that is up close and personal. The trade term now seems to be “illusion” versus trick but in terms of the title of this post, there is no trick and no…

View On WordPress

0 notes

theivorybilledwoodpecker · 2 years

Text

A 14-year-old girl in Tucson, Arizona, was denied refill of a lifesaving drug—methotrexate (MTX)—she had been taking for years over fears that she would use the medication for abortion purposes. For years, Emma Thompson has been relying on low, weekly doses of MTX to treat her juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a form of the condition in children that can cause serious complications, including growth problems and joint damage, which MTX slows down.

But at higher doses, MTX can be used to end ectopic pregnancies, where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.

This is why the girl's doctor, Deborah Jane Power, thinks Thompson was denied her prescribed medication, only three days after Arizona's new abortion law had taken into effect." We think she was denied by the pharmacist because, three days before, a judge in Pima County, Arizona, lifted the injunction on a law from 1864 when Arizona was a territory, which bans all abortions unless the mother is dying and makes it a crime to perform/assist," Power told Newsweek. "The pharmacist said the patient is 14, so we feel she was worried the patient could be pregnant and using methotrexate for abortion purposes."

Forced birthers, you forfeit the right to be considered human. I don't give a fuck if you didn't mean for this to happen. You knew it would because you saw what happened everywhere abortion bans were enacted. When I say, "Go to hell," I mean it in the biblical sense. Be separated from your God and every good thing for all eternity. There is nothing good in sick little fucks who hurt children.

Edit to add more info:

The girl’s doctor, Deborah Jane Power, took to Twitter in a post that has since gone viral, saying the teen was denied the drug on the grounds of her gender. “Welcome to AZ. Today a pharmacist denied the MTX refill for my adolescent patient. She’s on 5 mg/wk to prevent AHCA Ab production. MTX denied purely because she’s a female, barely a teenager. Livid! No discussion, just a denial. Now to fight for what’s best for this pt (sic),” Dr Power wrote on Twitter. She added that the girl was her first paediatric patient to be denied her medication on these grounds, according to a report by KOLD news. The doctor told the local TV station that the teenager had worked a lot over years to get her pain to a “totally manageable” stage and she was now able to attend school as a result. The teenager’s mother also spoke to KOLD TV about the improvements her daughter had seen with the drug, and how the family is now worried about having to look for alternative medication. “It’s her first year and she’s in high school and it feels like a dream. She’s not in a wheelchair, she has a social life and friends for the first time and a life all young people should have,” the mother said. She said that even a wait of 24 hours between the drug being denied and a new prescription getting approved was a source of anxiety for the family. “I was scared, I was really scared,” she said. “I’m like if they deny this then we’ll have to find a different medication and we don’t know if it’s going to work.” The teenager’s doctor said that her concern lies with pharmacist who did not want to risk finding themselves in a battle between the state and people seeking the drug. She added that the pharmacist chose to not refill the drug because it can be used for an abortion. The report added that the pharmacy which denied the drug said that their focus lies in providing medicines in compliance with applicable pharmacy laws and regulations.

#emma thompson #Methotrexate #Abortion #Prolifers #Prolife #Prochoice #Arizona

2 notes · View notes

anand07723 · 3 months

Text

Unlocking Opportunities: The Power of Live Scan Fingerprints in Level 2 Background Checks for AHCA, HHA, and RBT Certification by R.I. Investigations

In a world where trust is paramount, ensuring the integrity of those serving vulnerable populations becomes a critical mission. Consider this scenario: a family seeking a Home Health Aide (HHA) for their elderly loved one, or a parent searching for a qualified Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) to support their child with autism. The question that lingers is, "How can we be certain that the individuals entrusted with such crucial responsibilities are beyond reproach?" This is where Live Scan Fingerprints, a cornerstone service provided by R.I. Investigations, emerges as the linchpin in the quest for trustworthiness.

I. The Crucial Role of Live Scan Fingerprints:

Live Scan Fingerprints, a cutting-edge technology, is not merely a tool for identification but a gateway to a safer and more secure community. R.I. Investigations recognizes the pivotal role it plays in Level 2 Background Checks, especially in professions like HHA and RBT where the need for trust is paramount.

To delve into the technical aspects, Level 2 Background Checks are comprehensive screenings that go beyond standard criminal history searches. Live Scan Fingerprints, as employed by R.I. Investigations, offer a meticulous examination of an individual's criminal background, addressing the nuances that traditional methods may overlook.

II. Navigating the Regulatory Landscape - AHCA, HHA, and RBT Certification:

For those seeking AHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration) approval, HHA licensure, or RBT certification, compliance with stringent background screening requirements is non-negotiable. R.I. Investigations specializes in tailoring Live Scan Fingerprints services to meet the specific needs of these regulatory frameworks, ensuring a smooth and expedited approval process.

The AHCA mandates stringent background checks for healthcare professionals, making Live Scan Fingerprints a crucial step towards compliance. Likewise, obtaining HHA and RBT certifications demands a rigorous vetting process, where R.I. Investigations steps in to streamline the path to approval.

III. Personalizing the Experience - Beyond Technicalities:

At R.I. Investigations, we understand that our clients are not just looking for a fingerprinting service; they are seeking peace of mind. Picture a family eagerly awaiting the arrival of a Home Health Aide or a parent hopeful for positive changes through the support of an RBT. Our commitment goes beyond the technicalities of Live Scan Fingerprints; it's about building trust in every interaction.

Our experienced team is dedicated to guiding clients through the intricacies of the background check process, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience. We take pride in providing not just a service, but a personalized solution to the unique needs of our clients.

Conclusion:

In the realm of background checks for AHCA, HHA, and RBT certifications, Live Scan Fingerprints wield unparalleled significance. R.I. Investigations stands as a beacon of reliability, offering more than just a service. We provide a pathway to trust, a commitment to safety, and a personalized experience for every client.

#level 2 background checks #live scan fingerprints #daycare #medicaid provider

0 notes

alfboss · 4 years

Text

28hr Online Core Training in Spanish

We are super excited to now offer the 28hr Online Core Training in Spanish. Taught by Olga Muñoz whom has been teaching this training for over 15yrs. Sign up ▶️▶️ https://alfcoretraining.net/…/cuidados-de-comunidades-asis…/

#28hr Online Core Training in Spanish #alftraining #AHCA training #AHCA compliance

0 notes

optimushc · 2 years

Text

How to obtain an AHCA Health Care Clinic License in the State of Florida?

The Agency for Health Care Administration – AHCA, is responsible for the administration of the Florida Medicaid program, as well as for the licensure and regulation of Florida's health facilities.

The Florida Legislature created the Agency for Health Care Administration as part of the Health Care Reform Act of 1992 (Ch. 92-33, Laws of Florida).

AHCA’s motto is “Better Health Care for All Floridians”. AHCA also works to reduce the number of uninsured across the State of Florida as well as targets fraudulent and unlicensed activities in the State.

Florida Statutes under section 400.9905(4), F.S. defines that a Health Care Clinic is an entity that provides health care services to individuals and tenders charges for reimbursement for these services to payors such as Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance. If an entity meets this complete definition, then it is a health care clinic.

Obtaining a Health Care Clinic license from AHCA is a multi-step process.

For new applicant licensees, the process entails the completion and submission of AHCA non-financial and financial forms along with supporting documentation including, but not limited to, Medical/Clinic Director agreement and demonstrate proof of funds, among others. In addition, level 2 background screening is required for some individuals listed on the application such as Owner(s), Administrator, Financial Officer, among others.

For Health Care Clinics who are undergoing a change of ownership - CHOW, the licensing application process is similar to that of the initial application.

Once the application package is submitted, the Agency will generate an application file number and the file is assigned to a lead specialist who will review the non- financial information and supporting documentation. The lead specialist will also send the Proof of Financial Ability to Operate form (Financial Schedules) to a financial analyst for review.

After both reviews are completed and deemed satisfactory, the lead specialist will notify the applicant that the file has been conditionally approved pending a non-deficient site survey.

At the inspection, the AHCA surveyor will request that the applicant licensee produce supporting Policies and Procedures that are in compliance with Florida Statutes and Administrative Codes.

It is important to highlight that some applicant licensees may qualify for an Exemption from Licensure as a Health Care Clinic provided that they qualify for an the exemption under F.S. 400.9905(4)(a-q).

The applicant licensee should carefully review the licensing requirements prior to filing the documentation and should consider seeking the assistance of a qualified health care consultant to be designated as the contact person to prepare, review, and coordinate the entire application process.

1 note · View note

alfbosseot001 · 3 years

Text

Get Rid Off Unused Medications ASAP!

A medication AHCA lack that is often cited is facilities being caught with storing medications that were stopped by way of Dr's order or leftover from a property that is discharged.

There are regulations outlining the guidelines up to what the facility has to perform when faced with unused medications.

Let's take a look at what you are required to do to keep out of trouble.

When a resident is discharged, the facility must return all of the remaining medications to the resident, the resident' s family, or the resident' s guardian. If, following the facility has notified the resident or responsible party and 15 days go by and no one has picked the resident' s medications, the drugs are considered abandoned and must be disposed of within 30 days of being ascertained abandoned.

If AHCA is on your facility the regulations provide them the authority to check into pretty much everything and anything. They can cause you to be open locked storage areas that include secured drawers in your Med cart and some other area that is locked including boxes that you have sealed with tape. (408.811 Right of review; copies; review reports; plan for correction of deficiencies. -- (1)An authorized officer or employee of the bureau can make or cause to be made any review or investigation deemed necessary by the agency to determine the state of compliance with this component, authorizing statutes, and relevant rules)

For any reason I visit ALF's holding on to these additional medications and getting cited. I will assume it's the lack of understanding of the law and it is an honest mistake. However one can see the seriousness of the issue as AHCA does not know for certain what is being done with these drugs, by way of example, are they given to other residents are they being used by staff, etc..

Action Measures

Review the drug dispensing regulations.

Do an audit of your medicine area and search for drugs which should no longer be on your own facility.

In case you don't have one make a policy and procedure concerning this issue and train your medication team.

Legislation

Title Medication -- Storage and Disposal

Statute or Rule 58A-5.0185(6) FAC

(c) Medication that has been discontinued but has not expired has to be returned to the resident or the resident' s agent, as appropriate, or may be stored by the facility for potential use by the resident at the resident's petition. If stored by the center, the stopped medication must be stored separately from drugs in current use, and also the Area Where it is stored must be marked" quit drug."

(d) When a resident' s stay in the centre has finished, the administrator should return all drugs to the resident, the resident' s family, or the resident' s protector unless otherwise prohibited by law. If, after notification and waiting 15 days, the resident' s medications are still at the centre, the medications are considered abandoned and may disposed of in accordance with paragraph (e).

(e) Medications which were abandoned or have expired have to be disposed of within 30 days of being ascertained abandoned or expired and the disposal must be recorded in the resident' s record. The drug may be taken to a pharmacist for disposal or might be destroyed by the administrator or designee with one witness.

(f) Facilities that hold a Special-ALF license issued by the Board of Pharmacy may return dispensed medicinal medication to the dispensing pharmacy pursuant to Rule 64B16-28.870, F.A.C.

ALF Boss is a resource centre for Florida's Assisted Living Facilities. Our intention is to Simplify your Assisted Living AHCA compliance every day activity We also provide tools to produce your everyday job of an administrator much simpler. Regions of simplification contain resident documents, long term maintenance plan documentation, healthcare providers, employee records, center job, and resident maintenance documentation.

0 notes

bishalsapkotaseo · 3 years

Text

6 Ways 1823 Forms Can Get You In Trouble

The 1823 type was executed from the state of Florida to function as go-to record to recognize the services and care required from resident's living in ALF's. An individual ought to be in a position to be aware of the status and how much maintenance a Resident wants by studying the 1823 form.

The 1823 is your master record which is used for several reasons and browse by a lot of people.

Which comprise:

DCF Researchers

Physical/Occupational therapist along with other Health Care Professional

There Are Lots of ways that an 1823 sort may land your center trouble but the two Chief ones are:

Liability

Let us begin with AHCA compliance...

If AHCA Surveyors visit a center for a regular review or on a complaint they will consistently examine the residents 1823 and also make sure that the 1823 matches the resident's present condition and the agency's being supplied. When the 1823 form does not match up the centre will get mentioned.

Example Resident A is seen eating pureed food at the dining area the AHCA Surveyor appears at the 1823 shape and it says that the resident is on a standard diet.

Lawsuits

Lawsuits at the Assisted Living industry are extremely common as they're really simple to win or settle. That said the 1823 kind is a goldmine for lawyers. When there's a discrepancy with what's about the 1823 type and what the resident's real condition was in the time of the episode BINGO get prepared to pay a deductible to repay the situation.

6 Ways The 1823 Form Could Cause You Issues

Not using a 1823 on record within 30 days

Each of the 1823 areas Aren't filled out

1823 form Doesn't Have the date of the physical exam

1823 Isn't true and does not reflect the resident's current state

1823 is older than 3 decades.

In the event the resident is getting ACS capital the 1823 is older than 1 year

Schedule regular checks of your resident's 1823's.

Appear to be certain that the above items recorded comply with all the 1823.

Utilize our 1823 helper to possess the aforementioned possible infractions managed for you.

Are you Looking for Best Assisted Living Facility inside Florida then ALF Boss is here to give you the best service at an Affordable Price. You can't disagree with us!

0 notes

weirdlyintelligent-blog1 · 6 years

Text

The Bond Professional

A surety bond is designed to guarantee a principal's integrity and honesty, efficiency and financial duty, as well as compliance with a law or contract. Create and save custom-made flash cards. Sign up immediately and start improving your vocabulary! A lot of the underwriting is automated to allow for rapid approvals and pricing. In some circumstances, extra info may be required of the applicant however this data can usually be despatched to the agent electronically. Used primarily in the development area, this bond from a surety to a property owner ensures that a common contractor will adhere to the provisions of a contract.

Surety Companies will evaluate financial data, detailed credit history of the business and it's principal owners, along with administration's expertise. Based on the Surety Firm's skilled choice making skill, they will not only be capable of assess a Principal's ability to pay or carry out an agreement, however the Surety will be able to determine the Principal's willingness to meet their promise.

Proper bonding license - All surety bond suppliers are required to have a bonding license. Ensure that your potential surety has the right bonding licenses for the locations in which they provide surety bonds. Did you discover this definition of SURETY BOND helpful? You can share it by copying the code beneath and adding it to your blog or net web page.

Your bond amount is often determined by the obligee. The obligee is mostly a authorities agency who has oversight over the healthcare business in your state. For instance: The Company for Healthcare Administration or AHCA governs the trade in Florida. Companies like AHCA are sometimes chargeable for imposing guidelines together with any surety bond requirements.

A bond can be used to explain a assure of another person's obligation. For example, an insurance firm may issue a $500,000 surety bond needed by a company with a view to have interaction in transactions on credit score This use of bond implies that the insurance coverage company is guaranteeing that it'll pay up to $500,000 if the insured company doesn't make its required funds for its purchases.

The obligee is the entity that requires the bond and that advantages from the protection of the surety bond. An obligee may be an organization, company, particular person, company, or governing body. Performance Bonds can be required for construction, supply or service contracts, and assure the principal will carry out in accordance with the phrases and situations of the contract, buy order, or service agreement.

Judicial Court bonds provide a monetary assure to protect opposing or other injured parties from any financial loss that will arise on account of the court motion. The 2 predominant categories of Judicial Court docket Bonds are Plaintiffs Court docket Bonds and Defendants Court Bonds each offering particular remedies to guard the parties involved within the legal proceeding.

Surety bonds are used to help handle threat. An entity akin to a state licensing board might require a surety bond be required for a company to be licensed to conduct business in a specific area. A state treasury may require a retailer to maintain a surety bond to help make sure the required sales tax payments are remitted as expected. A authorities company could require the contractor contracted to finish a development product be bonded to help make sure the mission reaches completion inside the desired timeframe and high quality guidelines. The widespread consideration with regard to adding the surety bond requirement is a perceived danger to the obligee. A dedication has been made that there is a threat, financial and/or in any other case to the principal not fulfilling their obligation.

0 notes

alfboss · 4 years

Text

ALF Courses for Administration & Staff

We offer direct care staff required Florida assisted living AHCA trainings like Resident Rights, Pre-Service Orientation Training, Major & Adverse Incident Reporting , Assistance with ADLs/Resident Behavior & Needs, Food Handling, Do Not Resuscitate, Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation , HIV Aids, Infection Control & Universal Precautions, Elopement and Major Emergencies and Preparedness. Get Florida assisted living AHCA training, First Aid, CPR & Basic Life Support Classes and Medication Training at best price.

Core Training is a requirement for the core competency certification within Florida. We offer all the required training and dietary continuing education to keep you dietary staff in compliance.This is recommended for those who desire a career as an administrator or manager in assisted living

#alf #alfcoretraining #alfboss #alfjobs #AHCA training #core competency #AHCA compliance

0 notes

christophergill8 · 7 years

Text

California couple must repay almost $13,000 in Obamacare advance premium tax credits

Shawn Campbell via Flickr Creative Commons

As the health care battle on Capitol Hill continues, there's one thing upon which both side can agree. The Affordable Care Act is not perfect.

No piece of legislation is. Just ask Republicans trying to craft a replacement for Obamacare, as the seven-year-old health care law is known.

And just ask a California couple who now owe the Internal Revenue Service almost $13,000 because of miscalculated Obamacare advance premium payments.

Premium tax credit help: The Walkers, a married California couple, got health care coverage in 2014 though one of the Golden State's insurance marketplaces. They met the ACA's coverage requirement by having the policy for the full year.

But to do so, they also got tax subsidy help to pay the monthly premium of almost $1,400. They opted, as many folks do, for the monthly advance premium tax credit (APTC) to go to the insurer. That covered almost 80 percent of the policy's premium.

That, according to Obamacare supporters, is how the system is supposed to work.

But it works only if you qualify for the law's premium financial assistance.

The Walkers unfortunately did not.

ACA credit confusion: They discovered the ACA subsidy problem when they filed their 2014 tax return and had to reconcile the APTC payments, which totaled $12,924.

For folks who don't have to deal with this, the process entails the data found/entered on Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, and a Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PTC).

Basically, a taxpayer generally qualifies for the PTC if [s]he has household income that is equal to an amount that is at least 100 percent, but not greater than 400 percent, of the federal poverty line amount for the taxpayer's family size for the taxable year.

When a taxpayer gets the subsidy as an advance payment directly to the insurer, the taxpayer must reconcile any APTC payments made during the year with the amount of premium credit for which [s]he is actually eligible. If the total APTC payments are more than the eligible PTC amount, then the taxpayer owes the excess as part of his/her annual tax liability.

That's what happened to the Walkers.

When the couple filed their tax return, their modified adjustable gross income (MAGI) exceeded the tax year's federal poverty limits. That meant the Walkers' APTC payments should not have been allowed and the IRS demanded that they pay them back.

Bad tax counsel doesn't fly: The Walkers decided to fight the IRS tax credit repayment order in U.S. Tax Court.

Part of the Walkers' argument in contesting the IRS repayment demand, which also included an accuracy-related penalty of $2,584 in addition to the $12,924 in erroneous ACA subsidies, was that they got bad advice regarding the APTC.

They said in their U.S. Tax Court filing that they had been told by Covered California marketplace representatives that they qualified for subsidy assisted insurance coverage.

If they had known that was not the case, the Walkers said they would not have purchased insurance they did.

The Tax Court took that into account, noting in the decision:

"We note that it appears that Covered California may have incorrectly informed petitioners that they were eligible for the APTC for 2014. We are not unsympathetic to petitioners' plight; however, we are bound by the statute as written and the accompanying regulations when consistent therewith. … The simple facts are that petitioners' MAGI exceeded eligible levels and that they must repay the APTC payments made on their behalf."

And based on the law, advice notwithstanding, the U.S. Tax Court Chief Special Trial Judge Peter J. Panuthosup upheld the IRS' determination of the APTC tax owed by the Walkers.

ACA tax credit changes, maybe: CPA Joe Kristan, whose Tweet was the first mention I saw of this case, notes that this is the first such ACA APTC case he's seen. But, he notes, "it won't be the last."

The Republican-controlled Congress could have a say in that prediction.

The Senate today (July 13, 2017) released its revised-yet-again proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

The latest version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), as the Senate bill is named, still contains cuts to Medicaid. It also retains its original provision that would allow states to opt out of key parts of Obamacare.

And, as far as individuals are concerned, BCRA also would repeal the requirement that individuals have approved health care coverage.

The elimination of that mandate also is part of the House-passed American Health Care Act (AHCA).

For folks who want to buy health insurance without being required to do so, they'd get less government help under the AHCA and BCRA.

The House plan would eliminate Obamacare's refundable premium tax credits, which are based on a person's income and cost of coverage in their area. Instead, the AHCA would provide refundable tax credits to help people buy health care coverage based mainly on the purchaser's age.

The Senate's BCRA also would provide similar age-related tax credits to individuals.

Whether these proposed replacement tax credits would make taxpayer compliance easier remains to be seen. I'm sure the Walkers and others in similar situations hope so.

You also might find these items of interest:

4 Obamacare taxes the GOP vows to end

Obamacare tax-filing tips while we wait for its repeal

Millennials' health care preferences are likely to shape any Obamacare rewrite

Advertisement // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // &lt;![CDATA[ // &amp;lt;![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); // ]]&amp;gt; // ]]&gt; // ]]> // ]]>

from Tax News By Christopher http://www.dontmesswithtaxes.com/2017/07/california-couple-must-repay-almost-13000-dollars-in-obamacare-advance-premium-tax-credits.html

0 notes

alfbosseot001 · 3 years

Text

Dangers Of Bed Rails

The use of half bed rails in ALF's isn't uncommon. AHCA regulations d0 allow the usage of half bed rails if specific criteria are satisfied.

ST -- A0030 -- RESIDENT CARE -- RIGHTS & FACILITY PROCEDURES using physical restraints with a facility has to be reviewed with the resident' s doctor annually. Any device, including half-bed railings, which the resident chooses to use and can remove or avoid without help, is not considered a physical restraint. The use of physical restraints is restricted to half-bed railings as prescribed and documented by the resident's physician with the consent of the resident or, if appropriate, the resident's agent, designee or the resident's surrogate, guardian, or attorney.

Full bed rails may only be used in the event the resident is receiving hospice services. In the following guide, I want to cover significant problems that happen a lot more than you can imagine. Issues ranging as serious as resident deaths because of entrapment and entanglement.

Bed Rail Entrapment Statistics

Today there are about 2.5 million hospital and nursing home beds in use in the USA. Between 1985 and January 1, 2009, 803 incidents of patientscaught, trapped, entangled, or strangled in beds with rails were reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Of those reports, 480 people died, 138 had a nonfatal accident, and 185 were not injured because employees intervened. Most patients were frail, elderly or confused.

The Advantages and Risks of Bed Rails

Possible Advantages of bed rails include:

Aiding in turning and repositioning within the bed.

Supplying a Sense of relaxation and safety.

Reducing the risk of patients falling out of bed when being hauled.

Providing easy accessibility to mattress controls and personal care items.

Potential risks of bed railings may comprise:

Strangling, suffocating, bodily injury or death when patients or part of their body are captured between rails or between the bed rails and mattress.

More severe accidents from falls when patients climb over railings.

Skin swelling, cuts, and scratches.

Inducing agitated behavior when bed rails serve as a restraint.

Feeling isolated or restricted.

Preventing patients, that can get out of bed, from doing regular activities such as going to the toilet or recovering something out of a closet.

Most patients may be in bed securely without bed rails. Think about the following:

Use beds that could be raised and lowered near the ground to accommodate both individual and healthcare worker requirements.

Keep the bed in the bottom position with wheels locked.

When the patient is in danger of falling from bed, placemats next to the bed, provided that this does not create a greater chance of an accident.

Monitor patients frequently.

Anticipate the motives patients escape bed such as hunger, thirst, going to the bathroom, restlessness and pain; meet these demands by offering fluids and food, scheduling considerable toileting, and supplying calming interventions and pain relief.

When bed rails are used, perform a continuing assessment of the patient's physical and mental status; closely monitor high-risk patients. Consider the following:

Use a proper size mattress or mattress with raised foam edges to prevent patients from becoming trapped between the mattress and rail.

Reduce the gaps between the mattress and side rails.

In closing, should you feel that bed rails are absolutely necessary please make sure to follow the previous two safety suggestions of Use a proper size mattress or mattress with raised foam edges to prevent patients from becoming trapped between the mattress and rail. Continue to make regular inspections of bed railings making certain the above is done and the bed rails are correctly and securely attached to the mattress.

Any device, including half-bed railings, which the resident chooses to use and can remove or can avoid without help, is not thought to be a physical restraint. However you need to be sure the items listed below are finished.

1. You must have a physician's order to get a Half Bed Rail The arrangement needs to be renewed after a year. The resident's 1823 wants to mention that the bed rails.

4. If your resident is on hospice that is the ONLY time you may use a complete bed railing.

ALF Boss is a resource centre for Florida's Assisted Living Facilities. Our intention is to Simplify your Assisted Living AHCA compliance every day activity We also provide tools to produce your everyday job of an administrator much simpler. Regions of simplification contain resident documents, long term maintenance plan documentation, healthcare providers, employee records, center job, and resident maintenance documentation.

0 notes

isaacscrawford · 7 years

Text

ACA Round-Up: Mental Health And Substance Use Parity, Premium Tax Credits, And A New Marketplace Reinsurance Proposal

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) requires that the financial requirements and treatment limitations imposed on mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits must not be more restrictive than the predominant financial requirements and treatment limitations imposed on substantially all medical and surgical benefits. The MHPAEA requires plans and insurers to disclose their criteria for making medical necessity determinations with respect to MH/SUD to any current or potential participant, beneficiary, or contracting provider, and to make available the reasons for denial of payment with respect to MH/SUD benefits to any participant or beneficiary.

To evaluate MH/SUD parity, disclosures are also needed respecting medical/surgical services, particularly with respect to non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) such as medical necessity determinations or step therapy requirements. Thus, previous regulations and guidances have recognized broad NQTL disclosure requirements under the MHPAEA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and the Affordable Care Act. In October of 2016, the Departments that administer these acts (Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services) requested comments on model forms that could be used by participants and beneficiaries to seek information respecting NQTLs, and by state regulators overseeing compliance with MHPAEA requirements. The Twentieth Century Cures Act further required the Departments to solicit public comments on how to improve the MHPAEA disclosure request process and to make the comments it received publicly available by December 13, 2017.

On June 16, 2017, Labor, Treasury, and HHS released a frequently asked question (FAQ) document requesting public comments on a proposed form that participants, enrollees, and their authorized representatives (including providers) could use to request information from their health plan or insurer regarding NQTLs, or to obtain documentation after an adverse determination regarding MH/SUD benefits. A paperwork reduction act notice was also released.

The form would request that the plan or insurer within 30 days:

Provide the specific plan language regarding the limitation and identify all of the medical/surgical and mental health and substance use disorder benefits to which it applies in the relevant benefit classification;

Identify the factors used in the development of the limitation and the evidentiary standards used to evaluate the factors;

Identify the methods and analysis used in the development of the limitation; and

Provide any evidence to establish that the limitation is applied no more stringently, as written and in operation, to mental health and substance use disorder benefits than to medical and surgical benefits.

The FAQ also clarifies that eating disorders are mental health conditions and treatment for an eating disorder is a mental health benefit within the meaning of the MHPAEA. Comments on the disclosure form and respecting eating disorder coverage are requested by September 13, 2017.

House Tweaks To AHCA/ACA Tax Credits Include Veterans’ Eligibility, Purchase Of COBRA Coverage, And Verification Of Citizenship Or Lawful Alien Status

Two bills intended to tweak the American Health Care Act and one to tweak the current Affordable Care Act and the AHCA have passed the House. On June 15, the House passed by voice vote HR 2372, which would clarify that veterans who are eligible for but not enrolled in Veterans Affairs health care programs would be eligible for AHCA tax credits, as they are now for ACA tax credits. It also passed, 267-144, HR 2579, which would allow AHCA tax credits to be used to purchase unsubsidized COBRA continuation coverage. This was the case with the original AHCA, but the option was dropped in the amendment process.

A third bill, HR 2581, was passed on June 13 on a largely party-line 238 to 184 vote. It would require the verification of citizenship or lawful alien status by the Social Security Administration or Department of Homeland Security before an individual could be determined eligible for advance premium tax credits, “using a process that includes the appropriate use of information related to citizenship or immigration status, such as social security account numbers (but not individual taxpayer identification numbers).” The provision would effectively require individuals to have social security numbers before they could get premium tax credits under the ACA for now, and then under the AHCA once it becomes law. The bill would not count the time taken for verification as a gap in coverage for continuous coverage requirements and would allow individuals to defer their retroactive premium payment obligation for a month if delays in verification would have otherwise required them to pay two or more months in retroactive premium payments.

All three tweaks could be incorporated into a Senate version of the AHCA, but otherwise could be filibustered by Democrats in the Senate.

Democratic Senators Propose To Shore Up Individual Market With New Reinsurance Program

As Congress debates a rewrite of the Affordable Care Act, the stability of the individual health insurance markets in several states is a serious concern. Many states are now down to one insurer in the marketplace while a handful of counties do not at this point have any individual market insurer available for 2018 (although the situation is very fluid and some insurers are expanding their territory while others are leaving).

On June 14, five Democratic Senators (Carper, Kaine, Shaheen, Nelson, and Hassan) introduced legislation that, if adopted, would go a long way toward providing stability. The legislation would provide reinsurance for 80 percent of high-cost claims—exceeding $50,000 for 2018, 2019, and 2020 (up to $450,000) and exceeding $100,000 thereafter (up to $400,000) for qualified health plans. Reinsurance would not be available for grandfathered or transitional plans. Payments would be conditional upon insurers providing information to support their claims, but the information would be subject to HIPAA privacy protections. Threshold and maximum amounts could be adjusted for inflation and HHS would have discretion to increase these amounts if doing so would not increase or decrease the total amount paid.

Reinsurance is a consensus approach to the problem of marketplace instability. As the bill’s findings recite, the transitional reinsurance program in effect during 2014, 2015, and 2016 helped stabilize the marketplaces and reduced premiums by as much as 10 percent. The Medicare Part D reinsurance program is still in place a decade after that program began and has contributed significantly to the success of that program. Alaska’s reinsurance program has also dramatically reduced premiums. The American Health Care Act contains $123 billion over ten years that could be used for reinsurance.

The bill would also provide $500 million a year for grants for 2018, 2019, and 2020 to states and nonprofit entities for public education, outreach, and enrollment activities to increase awareness of and encourage enrollment in qualified health plans. The funds could also be used to help people move from transitional plans to qualified health plan coverage and enroll in Medicare and Medicaid, and to raise awareness of the availability of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Priority would be given to awarding grants in states at risk of having areas where no qualified health plans are available.

Article source:Health Affairs

0 notes

therightnewsnetwork · 7 years

Text

Right or privilege? A beauty of a trick question

We’ve had a week full of controversies, but one in particular deserves more attention than it got. Of course, I’m talking about the health care right-versus-privilege fight that erupted after a beauty pageant on Sunday, and the way its problematic formulation distorts public policy. (Which one did you think deserved more attention?) Kára McCullough may be one of the most impressive Miss USA contenders in recent memory, but the beauty pageant did her — and themselves — no favor by asking her this question about health-care policy.

McCullough won despite her politically incorrect answer, but she hastily backpedaled after getting an avalanche of criticism on social media. McCullough switched from “privilege” to “right” the next day:

“I am privileged to have health care. I do believe it should be a right. – @MissUSA 2017 Kára McCullough “clarifies” response. #MissUSA pic.twitter.com/QCc7irmmmq

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 16, 2017

The entire episode was unfortunate and unnecessary for the new Miss USA, who became the victim of a trick question. As I wrote in my column for The Fiscal Times, health care is neither a right nor a privilege. Taken as a whole, the market for health care services and goods is a commodity, and our failure to treat it as such is what’s making it so dysfunctional:

Health care consists of goods and services produced and delivered by highly specialized providers in exchange for monetary compensation. Overall, it’s a commodity, for which the terms “right” and “privilege” are largely meaningless. In an economic sense, health care is no different than markets for other commodities, such as food, vehicles, fuel, and so on. The ability to purchase goods and services depends on the resources one has for compensation for their delivery in most cases. …

Rights, as understood by founders, do not require the transfer of goods and services, but come from the innate nature of each human being. The right to free speech does not confer a right to publication, or to listeners. The right to peaceably assemble does not confer a right to confiscate private property in which to gather or to destroy either. The right to bear arms does not require the government to provide guns or ammunition, and so on. Rights do not require government provision, and the Constitution and especially its Bill of Rights exists to prevent government infringement.

In our form of self-governance and generally free markets, privilege generally refers to licensed access to certain restricted activities involving public assets. The most common of these is a driver’s license, which confers a privilege to use public roads. One does not need a license to drive exclusively on private roads, as anyone who grew up on a farm or ranch can attest. Doctors and lawyers require licenses to practice their professions, so providing health care can be described as a privilege, but we do not require a government grant to consume health care. Anyone who can provide compensation (directly or through third parties by mutual consent) for care can access it. Some providers — notably those maintained by religious communities, who have recently come under fire — don’t even require compensation for access.

Ironically, it’s pursuit of government intervention on the basis of a “right” to health care that most threatens to turn it into a privilege. As more and more mandates have been applied, consumers have fewer and fewer choices in crafting insurance that actually fits their needs. Permission from government becomes required for even the most basic of exemptions, such as a religious exemption for a mandate to provide free contraception to others. Government-run health care systems ration care, requiring dispensation for surgeries and other services. An overreliance on insurers for all health care costs produces some of these same issues, but at least consumers can rely on competition among insurers for pressure to comply — when government policies don’t chase them out of the marketplaces altogether.

Perhaps the most obvious distortion in public-policy attempts to treat health care as a right is the confusion of health insurance as its equal. In the previous administration’s efforts to guarantee this “right,” they imposed mandates on Americans that forced them to buy insurance — but made access to care even more expensive as a result:

Furthermore, the attempts to force a larger and larger role for government as a guarantor of a “right” to health care has merely made costs grow higher. Over the last decade, US policy has consistently confused health care with health insurance and distorted both to the detriment of consumers. The Affordable Care Act, which ostensibly was framed to ensure universal insurance coverage as a “right,” instead imposed insurance as a mandate with tax penalties for non-compliance.

Its complicated and contradictory mandates for price controls and coverages provided massive disincentives to healthier and younger consumers for entry into the risk pools, driving up premiums and deductibles for those who remained in them, making access to the benefits nearly impossible short of a catastrophic health event. The net result is to have made it costlier for most Americans to access the health care market, unless – like McCullough – they work for a large employer that takes part of their compensation to cover health insurance. The ACA has distorted the individual-coverage markets so badly that insurers are fleeing them to cut their losses.

Talking about health care as a right over the last several decades has resulted in huge distortions of both the insurance and care markets. If we want to solve these problems, the first step is to dump the right-versus-privilege paradigm:

The proper way to approach health care is the same as we approach other commodities – shaping oversight to find ways to promote consumption and provision, which will drive costs down. Applying more mandates to these markets will make them worse; we need to find ways to improve price signaling to consumers, and that means recognizing that health insurance is not the same thing as health care.

Does the AHCA accomplish this? Not really. At best, it might be a first step in that direction, but it still confuses insurance with care, and mostly transfers the destructive and contradictory mandates of ObamaCare to the states.

Congratulations to Miss USA Kára McCullough on her win. In the future, don’t be shy about challenging the assumptions of your interviewers, and you’ll have even more success.

The post Right or privilege? A beauty of a trick question appeared first on Hot Air.

Powered by WPeMatico

from http://www.therightnewsnetwork.com/right-or-privilege-a-beauty-of-a-trick-question/

0 notes

patriotnewsblogger-blog · 7 years

Text

Right or privilege? A beauty of a trick question

New Post has been published on http://www.therightnewsnetwork.com/right-or-privilege-a-beauty-of-a-trick-question/