CMSA'S Pulse eNewsletter
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Special Announcement
Government agencies and healthcare organizations are providing a myriad of resources regarding COVID-19, assisting healthcare providers, patients and the general public to manage unprecendented health and financial challenges. CMSA has compiled a list of resources on a new page on our website, where members can access important toolkits and websites to navigate care and well-being.
 
Please visit https://www.cmsa.org/coronavirus-resources/ and check back often for new additions as we receive word of them. Also, please share with your colleagues and communities. Thank you!
 
Pat Stricker, RN, MEd
Former Senior Vice President
TCS Healthcare Technologies
 
One thing I think we can all agree on is that the pandemic of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has totally shocked and overwhelmed the world. It has changed our healthcare system and rocked our world. Due to the need for social distancing, our entire country, and others as well, have some form of lockdown, requiring all non-essential businesses to close. While most healthcare offices and organizations are still open, many of them are functioning in different roles. It seems unthinkable that in today’s world, with all our expertise, advanced technology, data analytics, and scientific knowledge, we could be caught off-guard by this virus so quickly and dramatically.
 
The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China in late December. However, it is now thought that the first case was actually traced back to November 17. On December 31, China informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about a cluster of “41 patients with a mysterious pneumonia." The first confirmed case outside of China was reported in Thailand on January 13 and the first case in the United States (U.S.) was reported on January 20, and the number of cases had increased to 9,976 in 21 countries. WHO declared a global public-health emergency.
 
Oak Creek Tech Innovations Inc.
Featured Events
As we've been sharing with our members and larger community in recent weeks, we are keeping a very close eye on the developments of COVID-19. At this time, we have not canceled our annual conference and expo, currently scheduled for June 28-July 2. While we work diligently on contingency plans, we have extended early bird pricing as well as the registration cancellation deadline during this time of great uncertainty.
 
Attendee safety is of our utmost concern, and we are working around the clock on possible alternatives to the in-person Boston event. Please understand that we are in a position where we, as an organization, as well as our partners, are under the direction of state and federal regulations regarding official closures and reopenings. In the coming weeks the situation across the country and in Boston will become more clear, and we'll have additional updates to share about the necessary path for this event.
 
As I've said throughout my nursing and case management career, a lack of alarm is different from a lack of concern. We at CMSA are extremely concerned about the health and wellness of our members and community. We, as case managers, know not to panic; even during this uprecedented time, please remember not to panic. CMSA is working for you to get to a positive outcome.
 
Our conference website is still up at conference.cmsa.org, including cancellation policy updates and other event details. Please take care of yourselves and each other, and look for additional updates very soon.
 
Kathleen Fraser MSN, MHA, RN-BC, CCM, CRRN, FAAN
CMSA Executive Director
 
Utilize Machine Learning to Optimize Case Management
MCG Health
Discover how Indicia for Effective Focus prioritizes the most impactful observation conversion and inpatient denial avoidance opportunities to provide smart optimization while maintaining the highest standards of care.
 
Learn More
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Member Announcements
Did you know? Sessions from the 2019 annual conference are in the Educational Resource Library. Access 44 up-to-date, relevant courses at your fingertips, offering a total of 44.5 CE hours nursing, 44.5 CE hours for CCMC, 6.75 Ethics CCM CE hours and 25 ASWB hours.

The best thing of all: If you are a CMSA member, all courses are absolutely free as part of your member benefits. Head to the ERL to explore and start earning your CEs today!
 

CMSA and CCMC are working together to continue advancing professional case managers in their career paths. CMSA members receive a 20% discount when applying for the CCM, as well as upon renewal. Those who hold the CCM certification receive a 20% discount for CMSA membership.

If you're not yet a member but would like to save 25% as a newly minted CCM, please contact CMSA Client Services at cmsa@cmsa.org or 501-225-2229.

 

Download CMSA's Standards of Practice for Case Management, 2016 revision, which provides practice guidelines for the case management industry and its diverse stakeholders. The impetus for the 2016 revision of the Standards is the need to emphasize the professional nature of the practice and role of the case manager.

The 2016 Standards contain information about case management including an updated definition, practice settings, roles and responsibilities, case management process, philosophy and guiding principles, as well as the standards and how they are demonstrated.

Download Your Copy

 
Naylor Association Solutions
Articles and Links
 
On April 10, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule [CMS-1737-P] for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 that updates the Medicare payment rates and the quality programs for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). CMS is publishing this proposed rule consistent with the legal requirements to update Medicare payment policies for skilled nursing facilities on an annual basis.  CMS recognizes that the entire healthcare system is focused on responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency. As a result, the proposed rule includes proposals required by statute and that affect Medicare payment to SNFs, as well as proposals that reduce provider burden and may help providers in the COVID-19 response.
 
These updates include routine technical rate-setting updates to the SNF PPS payment rates, as well as a proposal to adopt the most recent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) statistical area delineations and apply a 5 percent cap on wage index decreases from FY 2020 to FY 2021. We are also proposing changes to the ICD-10 code mappings that would be effective beginning in FY 2021, in response to stakeholder feedback. Finally, this rule includes minor administrative proposals related to the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program, further described below.
 
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
 
This issue of CMSA Today explores how we can continually improve case management practice through ongoing education, critical thinking, reflective practice, and deployment of evidence-based practice. Collaborative practice is key to developing safe discharge plans to our most vulnerable patients. In addition, we have a critical role specific to political advocacy and building awareness in meeting the needs of the individuals we care for.
 
Read the issue at the link below!
 
 

 

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