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WALA News for January 23, 2004

1. WALA Conference On-line Registration
2. Buying and Selling Seminar
3. Insurance Survey
4. BQA Memos
5. Other Meds Issues
6. Delayed Egress Survey
7. COP Contracts
8. BQA New Survey Process
9. RCACs and Retaliation Poster
10. RCAC Draft Rate Setting Model
11. GAO Study on Assisted Living
12. ALFA Chicago Conference

Last Fax Blast on Dec 4, 2003

1) WALA Conference On-line Registration

WALA is proud to announce that you can now register for the 2004 WALA Spring Conference directly on-line using your credit card using our new events shopping cart.

You should have received your conference brochure by now and if you have not received it, it is on the website or call the office and we will mail you a copy.

We are very pleased that we can offer the option of direct registration on-line, a first for WALA. This may be WALA's strongest conference yet and you owe to your staff and residents to review the entire agenda. There is something there for everyone!

2) Buying and Selling Seminar

Assisted living facilities are unlike any other type of real estate, and so is buying or selling them. You are buying (and/or selling) not only the real property, but also the real world business of resident care and operations.

Join us Wednesday, February 18, 2004 for this useful seminar - even if you are not NOW planning to buy or sell.

The market is in flux and you should know the trends. Presented by Mike Collins of Collins Realty Group, this interactive seminar will cover the buying and selling process from start to finish and from the perspective of both buyers and sellers.

The half-day seminar (8:30 - noon) will be held in Waukesha. Information and registration is also available on the WALA website or by calling the WALA office. Registration is limited to 40. More Info [In PDF] [In Word]

3) Insurance Survey

Thanks to the 532 facilities representing 3,322 assisted living beds or apartments for responding to our survey on the insurance crises. If you remember, BQA asked the associations to query their members on various insurance related questions.

WALA sent that survey to every AL provider statewide and have posted the results on our website with the comments from each provider. It is interesting reading. WALA provided these results to the state task force and one member of the committee was shocked at the widespread severity of the problem. [Link to Results (Excel Spreadsheet)]

4) BQA Memos

BQA has two memos in final draft form and are seeking comments by Jan 28 via WALA. The draft memos are posted on the WALA website:

• Draft memo 04-03 clarifying CBRF meds training requirements for graduate nurses and nursing students.
• The revised memo on meds setup in each regulatory category of assisted living. This includes a quick reference chart on meds set up. Note that this is a revised version and is slightly different than the December '03 version.

5) Other Meds Issues

At the WALA Conference in March at the two meds sessions we will provide details on labeling requirements of large meds samples given to residents. There will also be a discussion on the issue of Canadian drugs both for those who self-administer and those who do not. The final answers on that are still uncertain.

It also has been speculated that the new Medicaid Reform Act may preclude such samples, but that is still uncertain.

6) Delayed Egress Survey

Does your dementia specific facility have delayed egress exits? WALA has been asked to do a survey of those who do provide this option to provide a secure exit while also providing security to avoid elopement. Please let WALA know if you have delayed egress.

7) COP CONTRACTS

WALA has heard from a provider that his 2004 COP contract has reduced the allowable profit from 7 1/2 % down to 5 %. Are you facing the same situation in your county? Please let WALA know what your county's policy is for allowable profit.

8) BQA New Survey Process

BQA has indeed implemented the new survey process in January. Details were posted in our last fax blast with an emphasis on technical assistance and moving to abbreviated surveys.

In addition, BQA is researching an OPTIONAL Reduced Forfeiture Option for forfeiture for a SOD. To quote from BQA: "If you choose not to contest the Forfeiture, Statement of Deficiency # __ AND any orders contained in this NOTICE and ORDER, then the Department will reduce the total forfeiture by 35%."

If this concept proceeds, and you choose to accept the entire set of orders and SODs, you could save 35%. This is optional and you are not required to accept this. The proposal is an interesting concept with lots of pros and cons - let WALA know your point of view.

BQA's intent seems to be to provide you with a method to save some money if you agree to accept the citations, as well as less work for BQA. They are still researching this concept; so let WALA know how you feel. In addition, BQA Chief Kevin Coughlin will speak at the WALA conference in March to provide more details.

9) RCACs and Retaliation Poster

WALA has mentioned many times in recent months about posting the required by Workforce Development poster about "Retaliation Protection for Health Care Workers." While not required by BQA, it is required by the Department of Workforce Development. We encourage ALL facilities - including RCACs - to post this poster and it is available on the website.

10) RCAC Draft Rate Setting Model

Virchow Krause & Co with The Management Group now have a draft rate setting model for RCACs. Comments requested. Info at http://www.wiaffordableassistedliving.org/ or contact Marge Kozich at 608/266-7643.

11) GAO Study on Assisted Living

GAO Study on Assisted Living - Citing assisted living as one of the nation's "fastest growing adult service industries," three U.S. senators called for a new government study of model consumer protection requirements for assisted living residents.

The study, to be conducted by the General Accounting Office (GAO), the investigative arm of the U.S. Congress, is expected to be published in mid-2004. Specifically, the senators asked in a letter to GAO for a review of states' "best practices" in three areas: licensing assistance services to providers, disclosure of full and accurate consumer information, and procedures for addressing consumer complaints and grievances. They also asked GAO to examine how states balance flexibility with the welfare of residents in both rural and urban settings.

12) ALFA Chicago Conference

Great education also at the ALFA's 2004 National Conference & EXPO Chicago, May 5 - 7. Register Now! Easy online registration at http://www.alfa.org or call 800-258-7030 for more information.

WALA IS YOUR ALFA!

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