WALA News for March 2, 2010

1. 83.20 - Four Approved Curriculums

BAL released today the long awaited memo with the details about the 83.20 department approved curriculums. For details on the training requirements, curriculum, trainer and student fees, etc, you can find the link posted on the home page of the WALA website. This memo covers medication management, first aid, fire safety and standard precautions. The approval for current curriculum and trainers expires March 31, 2010 so all those interested in becoming a trainer must apply in this new process. All staff successfully trained with the previously approved curriculums by March 31 will NOT need the new trainings. Details in the memo.

WALA has been in contact with BAL on the 83.20 issues. BAL is very aware of the many concerns, but this is a large and complicated process. All at BAL and CCDET are working hard to meet the new 83.20 requirements. It is my understanding they do not intend to extend the deadline past March 31 or grant a "grace period" after April 1. However, they will let us know if there is any change to this and we fully expect them to continue to be "reasonable regulators" when they see facilities and staff making efforts to be in compliance with the 83.20 regulations. This was quite true when DHS 83 rolled out in April 2009. You must still pay attention to who is trained when and the state does expect efforts on your part to comply as much as possible. When asked by their BAL surveyor about the new 83.20 training, please do not be the provider who answers, "What new 83.20 training requirements?" Believe it or not, BAL is still finding CBRFs who do not know that the new regulations went into effect last April!

We understand your concerns.

2. WALA Conference Update!

PLEASE NOTE that the Tuesday, March 23 Pre-Conference Wine Tasting & Networking Reception has been upgraded to a Wine Tasting Reception & Dinner! A one-hour wine tasting followed by a great dinner at the Kalahari will prepare you for the conference to come. Reconnect with WALA friends and colleagues or make some new business connections at this spectacular evening! And don't forget to take your chances on the WALA A' Wine!

An apple a day won't keep citations at bay! That's why you should register for the 2010 WALA Spring Conference today!

This year boasts bushels of breakouts - something for everyone on your staff. Special tracks of sessions for Regulatory, Family Care, Clinical and Leadership related interests. Plus many more on a variety of operational issues including HR, marketing, training and finance. Find out about the 83.15 training requirements, new updates on 83.20, ways to have fewer surveys, how to keep your managed care funding afloat, ways to help, ways to prevent and ways to reach out. It's all here and more!

REMEMBER... at the Tuesday, March 23 pre-conference session, DHS 83 - IT'S ANSWER TIME, BAL is willing to answer questions submitted by YOU. So email WALA at info@ewala.org by March 5 with all the questions you have about the new CBRF regulations and we will forward them to BAL so they have time to research the answers. Imagine... Kevin Coughlin, Director of BAL; Doug Engelbert, Pharmacy Consultant; Sherri Olson, Nurse Consultant... all in one room, all just for YOU!

In addition, there will be Roundtables the last hour and a half for more detailed discussion with BAL staff making the rounds of the room. Some of the planned sessions (subject to change) include:

View the full agenda on our website, and don't forget to register online before March 15 to be entered to win a BOSE Radio/CD compliments of New Perspective Senior Living! The odds of winning are in your favor!

No other assisted living conference in Wisconsin offers more educational sessions, vendors, networking opportunities, and fun than WALA. So what are you waiting for? Register today!

3. alea Update

Do you need 83.20 classroom training before April 1st? Check out WALAs Training Partner's website - www.aleatraining.com - to find out where you can still attend State-approved courses before the end of March. Our training partner, alea (the assisted living education academy), will be offering all four courses in Eau Claire, Madison and Tomah. Click on the March calendar for dates, and then select "Registration" for sign up and per participant fees. Remember, WALA members receive a discounted rate! Don't delay-register today! If you have questions or need further information, please contact Moni DeMers, Executive Director of Education, at 608-819-2190 or e-mail mdemers@aleatraining.com.

4. Family Care Meetings

On February 22 and February 26, a meeting was held to address some of the systemic issues facing the roll out and expansion of Family Care. As a result of the department's concerns about the relationship between the MCOs and the providers, Susan Crowley, the administrator of DHS Division of Long Term Care, hosted a listening session to hear from stakeholders regarding ways to increase communication between the state, MCOS, and providers. With all parties present, providers, WALA and others expressed their concerns about low rate setting, incredibly delayed payment - even of clean claims - inconsistency with services provided by different MCOs and their staff, etc. There were some areas that strategies were identified to continue communication. This meeting is just one step of the continued process to try and encourage all stakeholders to work together. WALA was acknowledged by Susan Crowley a number of times for our efforts with our Family Care seminars, and the lessons learned from those seminars, the survey we recently conducted on late payment issues and that WALA continues to try and work with all parties - not against them.

5. Dementia Specialist Certification Program

A second public hearing was held on the Dementia Specialist Certification AB-684 on February 23 in the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care. The first hearing was held last week in the Senate Committee (SB-470).

WALA and WHCA testified together in opposition to the bill, citing there is no need for this legislation due to: regulations existing in HFS-83 and HFS-129; concern with increased operational costs; concern with the number of hours (40) being required; and, arguing that the supporter's goal of this becoming a "career ladder" for caregivers will not occur unless Medicaid and Family Care consider this certification an allowable cost and is reimbursable.

The author of the Bill, who is also the chair of the committee, Rep. Peggy Krusick (D-Milwaukee) stated that she intends to amend the bill. We are not certain that amendment will encompass all of our issues. WALA will continue to reach out to members of the Committee.

The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Association will be putting into writing that they will not seek in the future to change this issue from voluntary to mandatory. A Committee member suggested that they would need to get the advocate groups to sign a similar letter (Board on Aging and LTC, Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, etc.) WALA appreciates that they will put in writing that this bill would remain voluntary, and not become mandatory, but no one can predict the political winds. Such a bill could easily become future political fodder and become mandatory. As always, WALA encourages additional training for all our members - as long as it is voluntary.

Please note that the Department of Health Services (DHS) has not taken a position on the bill at this time. The Committee will likely be voting on this bill in the coming days and weeks.


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