The Academy of Senior Health Sciences, Inc. (formerly The Ohio Academy of Nursing Homes, Inc.) seeks to provide public education and awareness initiatives to the long-term care community in Ohio. Our membership represents a true cross-section of the skilled nursing facility profession, from small sole proprietorships to larger Ohio-based multi-facility companies, as well as those businesses that service our industry. Through our public education and awareness efforts, the Academy brings the collective influences of the members together into a single voice on vital issues affecting our profession.

Founded in 1966, the Academy then identified one of its core purposes as "To foster a spirit of goodwill among those persons engaged in the nursing home industry, to promote ethical practices in their relationships with each other, their employees, and the general public to the end that all interests may be served fairly..." Though the organization has undergone several transformations over the years, most notably in 2011, its dedication and commitment to Ohio's most frail and elderly remains the same.

The Academy Weekly Headlines from 2 Weeks Ago

To receive the Weekly every Monday and other important updates, become an Academy member. NH task force holds first meeting  —  The Ohio Governor's Nursing Home Quality and Accountability Task Force held its first meeting last week. The inaugural meeting began with introductions of the task force members and what made them excited about being a part of the group. Governor DeWine addressed the task force, noting its important role and the need to improve Ohio's nursing homes. Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy provided background information on Ohio's nursing homes, including the number of "yo-yo" providers; those that were considered repeat offenders based on survey results. It was clear from the initial discussion among members that defining quality was a concern, as was the usefulness of rankings and data. Director McElroy also outlined Finally, Director McElroy outlined areas the task force will be focusing on including critical access facilities and equity, workforce resiliency, and elder justice. The goal is to have a comprehensive report to the Governor with actionable items by the end of May. Next up is a listening session in Youngstown on Tuesday followed by the next task force meeting on Thursday. BELTSS two year renewal, all online CEs option, rule review  —  At the March Board meeting, the Board voted to extend the all-online CE waiver until such time as an updated rule making the all-online CE allowance permanent can take effect. You may now obtain all of your CEs online provided they are NAB or BELTSS approved. There is still no limit to the amount of in-person CEs you may obtain. Additionally, due to a legislative change, the Board is now required to move from 1 year renewals to 2 year renewals. In order to make it fair to everyone and divide the workload for staff appropriately, the Board is enacting the following procedure: In 2023, everyone renews as normal for a 1 year period with 1 fee and 20 CEs. In 2024, those who have a last name beginning with A-L will renew with a $600 fee and 20 CEs for a 2 year period. You will not renew again until 2026. In 2024, those who have a last name beginning with M-Z will renew with $300 and 20 CEs for a 1 year period. You will renew again in 2025. In 2025, those who have a last name beginning with M-Z will renew with a $600 fee and 20 CEs for a 2 year period. You will not renew again until 2027. As of 2026, everyone will be on the “new normal” renewal cycle: A-L renewing in even years, and M-Z renewing in odd years, with a $600 fee and 40 CEs. If you are an HSE, you will need 8 CEs to renew as of 2026. BELTSS know this is a complex procedure, so if you have any questions, please call the Board for clarification. Also due to a statutory change, there will no longer be a "temporary" license for individuals as of January 1, 2025. The owner/operator of the facility must request a 180 day license from the Board for cases of emergency, and the individual will have to provide proof to the Board of passing the licensure exams no later than 180 days after this license is issued, or the license becomes void. Please read the pertinent rules described below for more information. The rules will also be posted on the Board's website under "News and Events." Due to the legislative changes, the Board needs to revise many of its rules to comply. Section 119.032 of the Ohio Revised Code requires the Board of Executives of Long-Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) to review the rules of Chapter 4751 of the Ohio Administrative Code no later than the rules' assigned review dates. The rules regulate BELTSS. BELTSS is proposing to modify OAC 4751-1-02, 03, 04, 05, 09, 10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 12, 13, 14, 16, and add a new rule concerning Chapter 119 hearing procedures, 4751-1-12.2: 4751-1-02: Revised to eliminate the "temporary" license language as per statute 4751-1-03: Revised to remove the word “all” to allow the board secretary flexibility for emergencies 4751-1-04: Revised to allow for individuals to request approved meeting minutes by phone or email 4751-1-05: Revised to eliminate unnecessary language, e.g. "if the board approves a fourth time" 4751-1-09: Revised to update language to match current practice, allow the board more time to process applications before a meeting, update where AITs can find a required form, include attendance at a new board AIT/Preceptor training course, remove unnecessary language 4751-1-10: Revised to reflect a statute change eliminating the board's temporary license and enacting a new provision, and a statute change of the license renewal period from 1 year to every 2 years 4751-1-10.1: Revised to update language to match current practice, a statute change of the license renewal requirement from every year to every 2 years, and removal of a notary requirement 4751-1-10.2: Revised to implement a statutory change of license renewal periods from every year to every 2 years 4751-1-10.3: Revised to implement a statutory change eliminating the board’s temporary license and reflect every 2-year renewal 4751-1-12: Revised to eliminate language referring to a temporary license and every 2 year renewal 4751-1-12.2: New rule to outline the prehearing process 4751-1-13: Revised to implement a statutory change from every year license renewal to every 2 year renewal and update language to reflect current practice 4751-1-14: Revised to comply with statutory change on recognizing an out-of-state license and granting a license to practice in Ohio 4751-1-16: Revised to comply with statutory changes to remove the temporary license fee and change the annual license renewal fee to a biennial license renewal fee Any person may direct written comments or requests for information concerning BELTSS' rule proposals to Deborah Veley, Executive Director of BELTSS on or before March 27, 2023 by writing to dveley@age.ohio.gov. AHRQ seeks NHs for MRSA project  —  ODM provides update on HCBS PHE waivers The Ohio Department of Medicaid provided the following update on HCBS waivers related to the public health emergency (PHE): "As part of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) made changes to its Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) 1915(c) waivers through Appendix K flexibilities. A full list of these flexibilities is on the ODM website. The recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA) and the return to routine eligibility operations did not impact these HCBS Waiver Appendix K flexibilities. These flexibilities will expire six months after the PHE’s end. With President Biden's recent announcement that the PHE will end on May 11, 2023, HCBS Waiver Appendix K Flexibilities will not expire until November 2023. The Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), the Department of Aging (ODA), and ODM are working together to identify which flexibilities will continue past November 2023. For the flexibilities that will expire in November, the agencies are developing a plan for resuming routine operations. In the coming weeks we will continue to provide opportunities for partners, providers, and members to provide input on this process. We want to hear about your experiences and recommendations for potential ongoing changes to waiver programs, including topics such as family members serving as a direct care worker through agency employment. We will host webinars in March. More information on these webinars, including dates, times and registration, will be shared via email. Stakeholders can also provide feedback through public comment periods for any waiver amendments or Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rule updates that may occur. As more information on the Appendix K flexibilities becomes available, it will be posted on the ODM webpage." Click Here to read The Academy Weekly in PDF format