The Department of Health Services (DHS) requires 4-year background check renewals for entity operators and non-client residents—review DQA Memo 25-001 for details. Additionally, starting March 19, 2025, a MyWisconsin ID will be required to access the DQA Misconduct Reporting System—request access early to avoid delays.
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The Department of Health Services (DHS) requires 4-year background check renewals for entity operators and non-client residents—review DQA Memo 25-001 for details. Additionally, starting March 19, 2025, a MyWisconsin ID will be required to access the DQA Misconduct Reporting System—request access early to avoid delays.
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The Wisconsin HAI Prevention Program has recently restructured the infection preventionist (IP) team, increasing the number of infection preventionists providing direct, regional, infection prevention and control (IPC) support to health care facilities and local and Tribal health departments (LTHDs) across Wisconsin.
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We want to again bring to your attention the need to pre-register on MyWisconsin ID to ensure continued access to the Division of Quality Assurance’s (DQA) Misconduct Reporting System. The transition from WILMS to MyWisconsin ID takes effect on March 19
th.
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The
2025 Direct Care Workforce Survey is now open for providers to report how they utilized workforce payments received since June 2024. Responses are due by Friday, March 21—completion is required for participation in the DCW Funding Initiative.
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Over the past two weeks, the four regional offices held quarterly forums with providers, covering important updates and compliance topics. In addition to reviewing regional citation data, attendees received a presentation from David Soems on the statewide Top 10 K Tags for Life Safety. For those who were unable to attend, here is a summary of the key points discussed, along with David’s insights.
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Ann Angell, Director, Bureau of Nursing Home Resident Care, will be retiring on Friday, February 3
rd, from the Division of Quality Assurance following a career of almost 24 years.
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WHCA/WiCAL staff regularly meets with Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) leaders to address provider concerns and share insights from the Department. At last week’s meeting, key discussions focused on Self-Reports, leadership turnover, and Facility-Initiated Discharges.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will begin referring delinquent accounts for
monthly licensed bed assessment payments to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) for collections. This new policy will take effect July 1, 2025. A six month grace period will begin January 1, 2025.
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We encourage all nursing facility members to review the data on the 10 most frequently cited survey deficiencies from the first three quarters of 2024. Understanding these trends is essential for maintaining compliance and improving care quality.
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In August, the Department of Health Services (DHS) announced the implementation of the HCBS Minimum Fee Schedule which will use $258 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. This new fee schedule went into effect on October 1, 2024.
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Last month, the Department of Health Services (DHS) announced the implementation of the HCBS Minimum Fee Schedule which will use $258 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. This new fee schedule will go into effect on October 1, 2024
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is inviting health care organizations, local and Tribal health departments, nonprofits, and government agencies to
fill out a statewide survey to request no-cost surplus supplies from the DHS warehouse.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is inviting health care organizations, local and Tribal health departments, nonprofits, and government agencies to
fill out a statewide survey to request no-cost surplus supplies from the DHS warehouse.
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DHS is hosting early training opportunities for providers to learn how to use the ForwardHealth adult long term care waiver services provider enrollment application. Register today.
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Beginning in September 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will require all adult long-term care waiver service providers to enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid through the
ForwardHealth Portal.
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Beginning in September 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will require all adult long-term care waiver service providers to enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid through the
ForwardHealth Portal. DHS introduced this video last week to introduce providers to the basics of the project and help them understand how the project will affect providers.
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In 2022, almost 500 providers received more
direct care workforce funding (DCWF) than they should have. Lakeland Care, Inc., one of the managed care organizations (MCOs) the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) relies on to confirm data used to calculate the payments, made a mistake that caused this.
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Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. During this webinar, the DQA will provide information on Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) in Nursing Homes.
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As part of the Division’s commitment to Collaboration, Innovation and Quality, the WI Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Center for Community Development, Engagement and Training (UWO CCDET) are offering the following virtual workshops to help you meet your training needs before summer vacations begin!
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Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is collaborating with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Center for Community Development, Engagement & Training (CCDET) to ensure regulated health care providers have access to education to build the needed knowledge and skills to provide the required care, treatment, and services. Your feedback is requested regarding the available training and your future training needs via this quick
8-question survey.
Please complete this survey by Friday, April 19, 2024. Read More
The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is hosting the quarterly Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI)/Minimum Data Set (MDS) Educational Forum on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 1-2 p.m. The MDS Education Coordinator will address current MDS 3.0 topics relevant to nursing home providers.
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The Department of Health Services (DHS) is reminding providers to submit their 2023 cost reports and corresponding documentation by the appropriate deadline. For providers with a fiscal year coinciding with the end of the calendar year, this
deadline will be April 30, 2024. Read More
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Center for Community Development, Engagement and Training (UWO CCDET) announce workshops offered in Spring 2024.
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Case mix index (CMI) resident rosters for the picture quarter ending June 30, 2023, (based on data available as of October 31, 2023) are now available on the
ForwardHealth Portal. These rosters contain Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) case mix index values for residents.
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WHCA/WiCAL staff recently met with Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) staff for our regularly scheduled quarterly meeting. These meetings focus on a discussion of survey and environmental trends that DQA staff is observing in the field as well as discussing issues of importance to WHCA/WiCAL and other Associations represented at the meeting.
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Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) published
Operations Memo 23-42, "2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Medicaid for the Elderly, Blind, or Disabled."
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Case mix index (CMI) resident rosters for the picture quarter ending March 31, 2023, (based on data available as of September 30, 2023) are now available on the
ForwardHealth Portal. These rosters contain Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) case mix index values for residents.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), along with the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), local health departments, and federal partners, is working to investigate a multistate outbreak of
Salmonella infections linked to cantaloupe.
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Please see the important information below regarding the hold harmless provision implemented by the Department of Health Services (DHS) to address the transition from RUGs to PDPM. More detailed information about the provision itself and how to view your facility’s report are described below.
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Last week, the Department of Health Services (DHS), announced a new process for submitting PASRR Level 1 screens. The process will now be automated, rather than on paper, and resulting reimbursement will be automatic following submission. More details are available below.
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The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) has prepared a comprehensive list of training opportunities and educational resources available for Assisted Living providers on the Department of Health Services (DHS) website. The hope is this information will give you easy access to tools designed to enhance the quality of care and life for residents and tenants that are in your care.
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A memo has been sent to Wisconsin skilled nursing facilities regarding an upcoming survey that the Department of Health Services (DHS) will be conducting in partnership with several organizations. The survey will be in-person, of nursing home residents whose payer is Medicaid or other Medicaid programs. The participants will be randomly selected and notified. For more information, please see DHS’s memo
here.
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DHS has posted updated
Methods of Implementation for Nursing Homes for state fiscal year 2024 on the FowardHealth Portal. The Methods include the updated process and timelines for auditing nursing home cost reports and setting nursing home rates previously shared at the July 24, 2023, public meeting.
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The state fiscal year (SFY) 2022 Nursing Home Methods of Implementation included a hold harmless provision in which facilities would be reimbursed for any rate reduction in excess of $2 per patient day. This resulted from the transition from Resource Utilization Groups (RUGs) to patient driven payment model (PDPM) acuity systems. This communication includes revisions to the quarter 1 (Q1) 2022 payments that were initially shared in November 2022, and new information for payments for Q2 2022.
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Earlier this year, the Department of Health Services (DHS) ended its contract with appraisal firm CBIZ. Until a new contract is in place, DHS will be inflating its facilities’ URC/DRC by 15% for the current cost report year.
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As members may have read and/or experienced, COVID cases are on the rise around the country. Given this concerning information, we followed up with the Department of Health Services, COVID-19 Therapeutics Team to confirm the process for obtaining Paxlovid and other anti-virals and to ensure that there was amply supply within Wisconsin. The Therapeutics Team has replied to Rick Abrams, WHCA/WiCAL CEO.
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The Department of Health Services has updated the Adult LTCFS Diagnoses Cue Sheet and Functional Screen Information Access (FSIA). The updated version of the
Diagnoses Cue Sheet is available on
Wisconsin’s Functional Screen webpage.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is announcing changes to the patient driven payment model prospective payment system case mix index (PDPM PPS CMI). This implements the parity adjustments from CMS. The parity adjustment is tied to
CMS final rule 1765 and results in reduced CMIs for direct care. DHS has increased the nursing services base and other direct care supplies and services base to offset this reduction in CMIs.
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Last week, we reported that the Department of Health Services (DHS) announced an exciting new program, the goal of which is to train 10,000 people as Certified Direct Care Professionals to work in the Home and Community- Based setting. To be eligible, an assisted living center must participate in a program that serves Medicaid Home and Community-Based Participants (ie: Family Care).
The Program is free to candidates and to prospective employers. Program background along with guidance from DHS on how a provider gets connected with successfully certified direct care professionals follow.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health’s Healthcare-Associated Infections Prevention Program has made available a limited supply of N95 Fit Testing Kits. The information that follows provides direction on how to request the kits. A limited supply is available. Orders will be filled on a first come – first served basis.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has launched a new, free professional workforce advancement program to recruit and certify 10,000 caregivers to work in home and community-based settings (HCBS). The program offers individuals a streamlined path to becoming
a certified direct care professional (CDCP). Following training and testing, new CDCPs can receive bonuses of up to $500.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has launched a new, free professional workforce advancement program to recruit and certify 10,000 caregivers to work in home and community-based settings (HCBS). The program offers individuals a streamlined path to becoming
a certified direct care professional (CDCP). Following training and testing, new CDCPs can receive bonuses of up to $500.
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The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) continues to collaborate with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Center for Community Development, Engagement & Training (
CCDET) to ensure regulated healthcare and homecare providers have access to education to build knowledge and skills to provide exceptional care, treatment, and services.
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The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) continues to collaborate with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Center for Community Development, Engagement & Training (
CCDET) to ensure regulated healthcare and homecare providers have access to education to build knowledge and skills to provide exceptional care, treatment, and services.
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Assisted living providers and stakeholders are invited to join The Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) on June 20, 2023, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m for the Assisted Living Forum.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), is hosting the 23rd annual FOCUS Conference for health care providers and DQA staff on November 15th and 16th, 2023. The 2-day conference will be held at the Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. The Focus 2023 Conference is being developed in collaboration with the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care, health care providers, and provider association representatives.
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On May 5, 2023, the Division of Quantity Assurance (DQA) released memo 23-001 titled
CBRF: Requirements for Newly Licensed Existing Structures. This memo replaced DQA Memo 14-007 with updated direction and contacts. The purpose of this memo is to provide the regulatory requirements regarding the conversion of an existing building or structure to a newly licensed CBRF.
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This 8-hour ICRA Awareness training course, presented by the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, will help infection preventionists better understand protection methods and safe work practices for various trades and health care personnel working in occupied health care facilities.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is announcing the step-down of the COVID-19 Testing Support for Long-Term Care Facilities. Thank you for your partnership in providing vital testing services to residents and staff throughout Wisconsin.
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Enrollment is currently open for a free 18-month program aiming to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) with a focus on methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
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The University of Wisconsin (UW) Oshkosh Center for Community Development, Engagement and Training (CCDET), and the WI Department of Health Services, Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), are pleased to offer virtual and in-person training sessions of the Wisconsin Caregiver Abuse and Neglect Prevention Project in 2023. These workshops are partially subsidized by DQA.
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The Division of Quality Assurance is pleased to collaborate with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Center for Community Development, Engagement & Training (CCDET) to ensure regulated health care providers have access to education to build the needed knowledge and skills to provide the required care, treatment, and services.
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On March 20, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a
press release describing the increased spread of
Candida auris (
C. auris) in U.S. health care facilities. The CDC also noted a tripling in the number of cases in 2021 that were resistant to echinocandins, the antifungal most frequently used for treatment of
C. auris.
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In 2018, CMS issued guidance that addressed care at home provisions for nursing home residents that were receiving home dialysis. Since that time, CMS has received questions, comments, and feedback from the state survey agencies, the dialysis provider community, as well as other Federal and non-Federal stakeholders.
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Dan Perron, Director of the Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL), within the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), recently announced his upcoming departure. Perron’s last day...
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Late last week, DHS published its draft revisions to Ch. 88. DHS also scheduled its first meeting of the DHS 88 Advisory Committee for Wednesday,...
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) opened applications for $15 million in grant funding to support Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). HCBS help older adults or those who have disabilities live independently in their community. This is the second time Medicaid HCBS providers and agencies in Wisconsin are eligible to apply for between $25,000 to $1 million in grant funding. DHS will select projects that strengthen the HCBS system and support quality and innovation in the delivery of HCBS to older adults or those who have disabilities.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) opened applications for $15 million in grant funding to support Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). HCBS help older adults or those who have disabilities live independently in their community. This is the second time Medicaid HCBS providers and agencies in Wisconsin are eligible to apply for between $25,000 to $1 million in grant funding. DHS will select projects that strengthen the HCBS system and support quality and innovation in the delivery of HCBS to older adults or those who have disabilities.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recently announced the step-down of the COVID-19 Testing Support for LTC facilities. WHCA/WiCAL has already begun to engage DHS on challenges this step-down could create for facilities, especially with uncertainties such as when/if CDC will alter its current standards and practices related to COVID testing in facilities.
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The Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) announced recently a four-part series geared toward nursing home compliance. Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend the Long Term Care Summit Education Series hosted by the DQA Bureau of Nursing Home Resident Care (BNHRC). Each month, BNHRC staff will provide information relevant to the survey process and on a variety of topics and trends commonly seen in long term care settings.
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On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the DHS Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) virtually hosted its quarterly AL Forum. The agenda of the 2/14 AL Forum is available
here. BAL Director Dan Perron began the AL Forum with a review of the top 10 citations across Wisconsin’s three AL settings.
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On Tuesday, February 14, 10:00 am – noon, the DHS Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) will hold a quarterly AL Forum for AL Providers.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has received reports of challenges in obtaining sufficient supply of antivirals for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza of patients and staff in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).
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WHCA/WiCAL staff recently met with DHS Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) staff for a regularly scheduled meeting to discuss matters of importance to Wisconsin’s assisted living provider community.
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Nursing home providers have an updated NEMT rate and definition of a “trip” – please see details below provided by The Department of Health Services (DHS).
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Late last week, Governor Tony Evers announced that Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee, Karen Timberlake, will be leaving the Department at the end of the year. It is expected that Secretary Timberlake’s successor will be nominated in the coming weeks.
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Due to the move to the patient driven payment model (PDPM) in January of this year, the Department of Health Services (DHS) has implemented a hold harmless. Any facility experiencing a loss greater than $2 per patient day, will receive a payment to keep them at no more than $2 per patient day.
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DHS to cover an average of 90% of nursing homes' costs of providing care for Medicaid members.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide a detailed review of Enhanced Barrier Precautions in nursing homes followed by a conversation with the...
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide a detailed review of Enhanced Barrier Precautions in nursing homes followed by a conversation with the...
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Adult HCBS
Minimum Fee Schedule Provider Cost Survey is
now available. You’re invited to participate. Read More
Effective June 22, 2022, the Division of Quality Assurance Southern Regional Office (SRO) is relocating to the Department of Health Services Central Office at 1 W Wilson Street, Room 455, Madison, Wisconsin, 53704. This move affects the Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) and the Bureau of Nursing Home Resident Care (BNHRC).
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Effective June 22, 2022, the Division of Quality Assurance Southern Regional Office (SRO) is relocating to the Department of Health Services Central Office at 1 W Wilson Street, Room 455, Madison, Wisconsin, 53704. This move affects the Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) and the Bureau of Nursing Home Resident Care (BNHRC).
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Personnel with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) have notified WHCA/WiCAL that they are adopting a new approach to granting waivers from the two-year prohibition for nursing facilities hosting Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs.
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The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is hosting the quarterly Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) Educational Forum on Thursday, June 16, 2022, from 1-2 p.m. The OASIS Education Coordinator will address current OASIS topics relevant to home health providers.
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The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is hosting the quarterly Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI)/Minimum Data Set (MDS) Educational Forum on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, from 1-2 p.m. The MDS Education Coordinator will address current MDS 3.0 topics relevant to nursing home providers.
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Personnel with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) have notified WHCA/WiCAL that they are adopting a new approach to granting waivers from the two-year prohibition for nursing facilities hosting Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs.
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Personnel with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) have notified WHCA/WiCAL that they are adopting a new approach to granting waivers from the two-year prohibition for nursing facilities hosting Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs.
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Nursing Home providers are invited to attend quarterly communication forums hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), Bureau of Nursing Home Resident Care (BNHRC) regional offices. BNHRC representatives will answer your questions and provide updates on areas of interest to nursing home providers. All meetings will be held virtually.
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Attention: nursing home providers who are currently under a two-year Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) prohibition - there is a new opportunity for you to receive a temporary waiver from the two-year prohibition, potentially allowing your facility to serve as a site for training. Please note: as with the traditional NATCEP prohibition waiver, a granted waiver would allow a nurse aide training program to be held in, but not by, a nursing facility within that two-year period.
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Attention: nursing home providers who are currently under a two-year Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) prohibition - there is a new opportunity for you to receive a temporary waiver from the two-year prohibition, potentially allowing your facility to serve as a site for training. Please note: as with the traditional NATCEP prohibition waiver, a granted waiver would allow a nurse aide training program to be held in, but not by, a nursing facility within that two-year period.
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Lisa Olson was recently named Wisconsin Medicaid Director following the retirement of former Director Jim Jones. Prior to her recent appointment, Olson served as Deputy Medicaid Director, and took over as Medicaid Director as of the start of the year.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has updated the Guide for I/DD Per Federal Definition, P-00935.
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This notice is a reminder that the Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), Office of Caregiver Quality (OCQ), has developed an online reporting system for providers to submit allegations of caregiver misconduct that occur in DQA regulated health care facilities.
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Nurse Aide training programs, health care providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) on Wednesday, July 8 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. During this time, DQA will respond to questions related to the Emergency Rules for Nurse Aide Training Programs as well as other important program updates.
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