You're receiving this email because of your relationship with the Office of Inspector General, Division of Health Care. Thank you for your continued commitment to serving the citizens of our Commonwealth!

Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Office of Inspector General

Division of Health Care

Winter Blues: Don’t Let It Snow

The holidays can be a difficult time for some. Many find it hard to cope with the loss of a loved one and they find themselves recalling all the memories of the past that will “be no more.” They may attempt to work through their “new” holiday normal as they move through life without their loved one in it. Further, a change in environment, such as moving from a home, living alone, or moving into a nursing facility or community with roommates, can feel like a loss of independence, which can increase the holiday blues. Feelings of sadness during the months of November and December can be referred to as the “holiday blues” or “holiday depression.” Nursing facilities must be aware of the residents' assessed needs to recognize a change in their condition to obtain necessary services for their behavioral health care needs.

Nursing Facilities must educate their staff to recognize the holiday blues in residents so they may assist residents with working through the process of experiencing feelings of agitation, expressions of guilt, and/or withdrawal. Staff must pay close attention to the residents and identify any change in their condition to alert a mental health professional, as soon as possible, when a resident begins to withdraw from activities and starts to isolate. When a resident isolates, it can increase their risk for depression. Staff must keep the lines of communication open with the residents. Further, staff should alert resident families when their behavioral symptoms change, as they may offer suggestions on how to approach the resident’s care and/or visit the resident to help them work through the “holiday” blues until the moment has passed. Another way to assist residents with symptoms of depression during the holidays is to ensure they exercise regularly; studies have shown that exercise can reduce the symptoms of depression. The facility must provide residents with a routine that includes a good activity program. Further, activities should be catered to the resident’s preferences and should be meaningful to the resident. 

For more information, you may contact your local Ombudsman and refer to the American Psychiatric Association. “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth edition.” 2013, and the State Operations Manual, “Appendix PP-Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities.” 

SNF QRP Claims-Based Measure Manual and Accompanying Files

The Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Claims-Based Measures Manual and accompanying documents are now available. These documents contain information on how to calculate claims-based measures used in the SNF QRP.

For more information, please visit the CMS SNF QRP Quality Reporting Measures and Technical Information website.

CMS Facility Questionnaire

Facility-Wide Wireless Internet

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is interested in learning more about wireless internet access for residents within certified nursing facilities. If your facility does not have facility-wide wireless internet (Wi-Fi) for residents, please complete the questionnaire. CMS’ goal in collecting this information is to gain a better understanding of the barriers that exist to having facility-wide Wi-Fi internet availability to residents. Your response will help inform their efforts to make potential funding supports available to facilities in need.

Click here to access the questionnaire: Facility-Wide Wireless Internet Questionnaire

Free Training for Nursing Facility Staff

The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) was established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It provides mental health and substance use training, customized technical assistance and resources to certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing facility staff who care for residents with a variety of behavioral health conditions at absolutely no cost.

Check out resources today!

www.nursinghomebehavioralhealth.org

CMS Developed Global Public Health Emergency (PHE)

Grants Funds Still Available

CMS developed three applications to facilitate visitation and prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. These one-time grants will continue beyond the PHE to allow all certified nursing facilities access to the products. CNFs can apply for all three programs for up to a total of $9,000.

Communicative Technology: Up to $3,000 for tablets and accessories to allow residents to communicate remotely with family and friends

Visitation I: Up to $3,000 for in-person visitation aids such as outdoor shelters and clear dividers

Visitation II: Up to $3,000 for portable fans and/or room air cleaners with HEPA filters (H-13, -14)

Want the funds but too busy for paperwork? We can help!

Contact Lena Mullins-Datko, CMP Grants Administrator, for assistance with applications at: Lena.mullinsdatko@ky.gov, CMPapplication_OIG@ky.gov, or (502) 564-5771.

For more details on the Kentucky CMP Reinvestment Fund and applications visit the Civil Money Penalty Funds - Cabinet for Health and Family Services website or contact Lena Mullins-Datko.

Division of Health Care Contact Information

Central Office

Tricia Steward, Acting Director

Marissia Izlar, Assistant Director

Andrea Willhite, Assistant Director

275 E. Main St., 5E-A Frankfort, KY 40621

Phone: 502-564-7963

Fax: 502-564-6546

Western Enforcement Branch

Terri Gipson, Regional Program Manager

901 B South Main Street, Hopkinsville, KY 42240

Phone: 270-889-6052

Fax: 270-889-6089

Northern Enforcement Branch

Patricia Hinson, Regional Program Manager

L & N Building 10-W, 908 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203

Phone: 502-595-4958

Fax: 502-595-4540

Southern Enforcement Branch

Tammy Ricks, Regional Program Manager

Casey Shelley, Human Services Program Branch Manager

116 Commerce Ave., London, KY 40744

Phone: 606-330-2030

Fax: 606-330-2054

Eastern Enforcement Branch

Gae Vanlandingham, Regional Program Manager

Will Hendrickson, Human Services Program Branch Manager

455 Park Place, Suite 120A, Lexington, KY 40511

Phone: 859-246-2301

Fax: 859-246-2307

Kentucky's Top 10 Citations

for Nursing Homes

Health Care

Life Safety Code

Emergency Preparedness

Informal Appeal of Survey Findings

Every Long Term Care provider has the right to both an informal and formal appeal process following receipt of a completed Form CMS-2567. There are two informal appeal processes: Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) and Independent IDR (IIDR).

Interested in Serving on an IDR Panel?

Kentucky requires one member of the IDR panel to be "a person currently engaged in the provision of Long Term Care services who has no affiliation with the provider disputing a deficiency." Typically, a Long Term Care Administrator is on each IDR panel. There is no payment or travel reimbursement for an Administrator serving on a panel. Administrators will be rotated. If a Long Term Care Administrator is interested in serving on a panel, a confidentiality statement must be signed prior to the participation in the first IDR panel.

Please complete the Confidentiality Agreement and submit via email, fax, or mail to:

All certified nursing facilities are required to sign up for ePOC. Please be diligent about keeping your account and password up to date. All correspondence is handled in the ePOC system, including the plan of correction. Furthermore, if there is a change in administrator, it is incumbent upon the facility to update the system.

Click here for the CMS security rules.

If your facility is not yet signed up, see the Account Setup instructions.

Not sure if your facility has any ePOC accounts, or have other questions? E-mail ePOC.Support@ky.gov or contact Zakary Carter, ASPEN Coordinator, at Zakary.Carter@ky.gov.

Which Branch is Serving You? 

To provide the highest level of service, the Division of Health Care operates through four regional offices. Knowing the appropriate Branch to contact with questions and concerns will ensure you receive maximum service in minimum time. Review links below for detailed information.

Regional Map

Contact Information 

Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Office of Inspector General

Division of Health Care 

DHC Leadership Team:

David T. Lovely

Acting Inspector General

Tricia Steward

Acting Director

Marissia Izlar

Assistant Director

Andrea Willhite

Assistant Director