VHCA November Board Meeting

VHCA (12/14/2007)

The Virginia Health Care Association Board of Directors at its meeting November 30, 2007 considered the following:

• Approved for facility membership:  Fairfax Nursing Center, The Laurels of Bon Air, Sitter & Barefoot Veterans Care Center and Summit Assisted Living.
• Received a report on the progress of having a bill introduced in the 2008 General Assembly to address concerns created by the Alcoy case decision by the Virginia Supreme Court.  In that case the court ruled not all situations and services in a nursing facility are covered by the malpractice cap.  This could lead to higher jury awards in cases involving health care providers.
• Received a report on problems with the Medicaid Transportation Provider, Logisticare.  VHCA staff and some members met with DMAS staff to consider a variety of problems with the transportation provider.  VHCA staff asked DMAS to consider an easy way for the facility to provide the transportation and get reimbursed by Logisticare.  A response from DMAS should come after the first of the year.
• Received a report on efforts by DMAS to develop and implement a plan for the integration of acute and long term care which would introduce managed care into services provided to elderly Medicaid recipients.  Virginia is among the first states to implement such a plan.  Among the concerns that VHCA is seeking clarification for is the impact of the plan on skilled nursing services provided to residents with both Medicare and Medicaid benefits.  DMAS has recently announced a delay in the expected initial roll out of the plan to the winter of 2009.
• Received a report on VHCA’s Survey Project.  The goal is for all 2567 forms be submitted for a database that will allow participants to follow what is happening with the survey in their area or with their company in time to address problems prior to a survey.  The database will be accessed through a password protected website.
• The Board agreed to enter into an agreement with the law firm of Parcell & Webb to build a 15,000 square foot office building on property owned by the association at the corner of Staples Mill and Massie Road.  The project is expected to take about eighteen months.  VHCA will own 50% of the building and occupy the first floor.

Board members completing their terms as of December 31st were recognized for their contributions to VHCA: Jerry Carpenter, Keith Denson, Laura Lemza, Dick Lyons, Eamonn Reilly and Dave Rumford.