Heart-to-Heart with HealthCap

Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) reporting isn't always top of mind—until it is. In this episode of Heart to Heart with HealthCap, Angie Szumlinski is joined by Melanie Flachs of The Peplinski Group, a seasoned nurse and long-term care leader, to discuss what every senior living operator should know about PBJ, RN coverage, and the real-time tracking that can make or break your star rating. From decoding F-tags and identifying common coding pitfalls to practical strategies for weekend coverage, Melanie shares how her communities stay survey-ready through intentional staffing processes, strong data oversight, and an evolving approach to workforce planning. We also explore innovations like medication aides and dining assistants as part of a smarter, more efficient staffing model. Whether you're a DON, administrator, or anyone navigating staffing mandates, you'll gain actionable insights and a deeper understanding of how to transform PBJ from a regulatory challenge into a powerful management tool.

In Part 2 of our deep dive into the MDS process, Heart-to-Heart with HealthCap welcomes back MDS expert to unpack the most recent updates to the Minimum Data Set (MDS) as of October 1, 2023. Angie Szumlinski and Robin explore critical coding changes, penalties tied to incomplete assessments, challenges with Section GG, and how interdisciplinary teams can improve accuracy and resident outcomes. From quality measures to schizophrenia audits, this episode is packed with practical insights for senior living professionals navigating today's MDS landscape. Robin has also created a to support your learning!

In this episode of Heart-to-Heart with HealthCap, Angie Szumlinski is joined by MDS expert for Part 1 of our two-part deep dive into the MDS process. Robin shares how the MDS is used across care delivery, compliance, and reimbursement—and why coding accuracy and interdisciplinary collaboration are more critical than ever. Whether you're new to MDS or need a refresher, this episode offers foundational insights you won't want to miss. Robin has also created a f to support your learning!

In this episode of Heart to Heart with HealthCap, Angie Szumlinski chats with Gwen Ryder, Vice President of Operations for Aspire Health in Ohio, about the challenges and lessons learned from navigating CMS Schizophrenia Minimum Data Set Audits. They discuss the intricate process of compliance, the impact on star ratings, and how one missed detail can ripple into significant consequences for senior living communities. Gwen shares practical advice, insights on improving internal processes, and the importance of proactive quality assurance to stay ahead of audits. Tune in for a deep dive into a timely issue impacting senior living care and operations.

In this engaging podcast episode, Angie Szumlinski, Director of Risk Management at HealthCap and a seasoned expert in the field, engages in a captivating conversation with Dr. David Gifford, Chief Medical Officer at AHCA/NCAL. Together, they delve into the realm of respiratory viruses, shedding light on the latest insights and recommendations concerning their vaccines. From the ever-present RSV to the perennial concern of influenza and the ongoing challenges posed by COVID, the vulnerability of our senior living residents to these respiratory viruses is a paramount concern. Join us as we explore strategies and measures aimed at safeguarding the health and well-being of our cherished residents.

In this episode Angie Szumlinski, HealthCap Director of Risk Managment and Cathy Hamblen, HealthCap Risk Manager talk with Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP, Chief Executive at the about vaccine hesitancy and strategies for improving bivalent COVID-19 vaccine rates in senior living.

During the holidays, many residents and families of residents on a restricted diet would like permission to deviate from the diet to enjoy traditional "holiday" foods. Will a dietary waiver protect you if a negative outcome occurs as a result of such a deviation? Angie Szumlinski, HealthCap Director of Risk Managment, talks with Mary McMurry, Litigation Manager at about this and other topics to keep your residents safe and you protected.

CMS will begin surveying against Phase 3 of Requirements of Participation for Nursing Homes on October 24, 2022. With around 180 pages of guidance, revisions, and updates affecting 52 F-tags, many providers are feeling anxious about the new guidance. Angie Szumlinski, Director of Risk Management for HealthCap talks with Crystal Bowens, the Associate VP of Regulatory Services for AHCA/NCAL about the updates, and what providers can do to prepare. Crystal reminds us that AHCA/NCAL members can always reach out to them at for specific questions.

Christina Nechiporchik, Associate General Counsel for HealthCap talks with John Hessburg, Senior Partner at the law firm of Kitch where he leads the Post Acute Practice group. Also included in the conversation is Drew Flichak, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Compliance Office at Vivage Senior Living. Listen as they talk about why we should be talking about arbitration agreements after CMS issued revised Surveyor Guidance on June 29, 2022. In addition, they discuss the best practices for implementing arbitration agreements in your facilities while remaining in compliance.

Angie Szumlinski, Director of Risk Management talks with Vetter Health Services President, Glenn Van Ekeren about their belief that it's not about putting years in the life, but putting life in the years. Quality care is determined by a mindset to do what's right, and that comes from compassion. Listen to learn about instilling a culture of compassion in your organization.

In this episode, we'll talk about the staffing challenges facing the senior living industry. Angie Szumlinski talks with Allyson Bakewell, Director of Talent Acquisition for Ciena Healthcare about what they're doing to attract and retain talent.

In this episode Angie Szumlinski, Director of Risk Management at HealthCap talks with Dr. Matthew Beacom, M.D. from the University of Nebraska and Heath Boddy, President and CEO at the Nebraska Health Care Association. Listen as they discuss the latest in vaccine mandates, boosters, and vaccine hesitancy in the senior living industry.

While many people who get COVID-19 recover within a few weeks, some will suffer from long-haul symptoms for many months. This syndrome has impacted millions more Americans long after their initial diagnosis. Angie Szumlinski, Director of Risk Management at HealthCap talks with Nicole Tweedie, a "long-hauler" about what it's been like living with post-COVID symptoms. Joining them Jana Hirschtick, a researcher from the University of Michigan, who has been studying COVID patients after their diagnoses.

Beginning in 2016 the senior living industry began to see an increase in the frequency and severity of claims. When COVID began in 2020, it changed everything, making the trends more unpredictable. Will plaintiff attorneys turn a global pandemic into individual tort claims and what will be the outcome? We may not know for a long time.

Cara Drenth, Director of Underwriting at HealthCap talks with Scott Voss, President of Voss Insurance Services and original HealthCap agent. Listen as they talk about what COVID has been like for agencies and owners, how we've handled crises in the past, and what the future may hold for senior living facilities.

Humans are sexual beings from the time they are born until they die. How do you handle situations when residents become intimate?

HealthCap CEO Peter Feeney and AHCA  President & CEO Mark Parkinson talk about the future of COVID, vaccines and variants, and what the senior living community might expect regarding census in the future.

Peter Feeney, CEO of HealthCap and David Mathog, Senior Vice President National Healthcare Practice Leader at USI Insurance Services talk about the effects COVID-19 has had on clients from an agent's perspective.

In this podcast we discuss treating residents who have contracted COVID with monoclonal antibodies such as bamlanivimab and remdesivir. Where do these antibodies come from? Who can be treated with them? What if the resident has already been vaccinated? We have the answers to these questions and more!

s began vaccination of their residents and staff on December 28. Listen as Peter and Angie speak with Shari Terry, Vetter's COO about their process and what worked well for them.

Listen in as HealthCap CEO Peter Feeney talks with AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson about the challenges the senior living industry faced in 2020, and a look ahead at what 2021 brings us in regards to vaccines, federal funding, census, and liability protection.

Join HealthCap Director of Risk Management Angie Szumlinski as she talks with Cynthia Coenen, Chief Clinical Officer for Vivage Senior Living in Colorado. Angie and Cynthia talk about best practices, documentation, and lessons learned during this pandemic.

HealthCap Risk Manager Cathy Hamblen interviews Tracie Murray, Administrator, and Bethany Murray, Assistant Administrator of Cedar Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Sunnyvale, California. They walk us through the implementation and execution of their successful COVID plan that brought them through the outbreak to being declared COVID-free today.

We've been hearing the term "immunity" a lot in the news lately. But when talking about immunity, there's another kind that has nothing to do with antibodies. In today's podcast, Christina Nechiporchik and Marc Feeney discuss legal immunity, and how it affects the senior living industry.

When an incident occurs, what do you do?  Are you just running around putting out fires? Listen as HealthCap Risk Managers Patti Sweet and Donna Long explain the Root Cause Analysis process and why you should be doing it in your facility.

It's no wonder coronavirus is all over the news. With the number of cases of coronavirus at over 20,000 in China, the number of cases in the U.S. has now risen to over 10. Many of us in the Senior Living Industry are thinking about our community and wondering what we would do it the virus came to our facility. Is the typical infection control enough? In this episode, Peter Feeney and Angie Szumlinski discuss the coronavirus outbreak and infection control in general.

Of course, our #1 priority is providing great care for our senior living residents, but did you know that how you treat your caregivers will affect how residents are treated? In this episode, Peter talks with HealthCap Risk Managers Joy Schultz and Sherry Mastropietro on their experience in skilled nursing and long term care facilities and how "just being nice" can make a huge difference.

Listening to the news it seems that cyber-attacks are becoming more and more common. Is the Senior Living Community being targeted? What do hackers want? In today's podcast, Peter and Angie talk with James Gutierrez, Director of IT at HealthCap. Listen to hear what you should do and how you can mitigate damage if you are attacked.

During this end of the year episode, Peter and Angie talk about things you can do to get your employees recharged for the upcoming year.

Arbitration agreements are a hot topic in our industry. Many residents and their families may think of arbitration as waiving their right to a jury trial if there is a claim, but there are many benefits to them. In this podcast Christina Nechiporchik, Staff Attorney at HealthCap talks with Andrea DeLand, HealthCap Risk Manager and Manda Ayoub, Pomeroy Living's COO about the benefits of arbitration agreements and how to successfully implement them in your facility.

Every hour that a resident is in septic shock and not receiving antibiotics, their risk of death increases by almost 10%. Knowing the signs of sepsis and early diagnosis are key to fighting the infection. Peter Feeney talks with Risk Managers Cathy Angi and Cathy Hamblen about what to look for and what to do when you suspect sepsis.

For much of the country, winter is here (or will be soon)! What do facilities need to do to be ready? Is there anything you're not thinking about? Preparation is the key, especially for those southern states where winter doesn't strike often. In this episode, Peter talks with Angie Szumlinski about what to think about, how to prepare and what you should do if there is an incident due to ice.

The holidays can be especially stressful when loved ones are in a nursing home, long term care, or skilled nursing facilities. For families and facilities, early planning and preparation is the key.

What is the so-called “Red Hand Campaign” that was launched by CMS last fall? Join HealthCap CEO Peter Feeney as he talks with HealthCap Risk Managers Cheryl Wilcox, RN, CLNC, RAC-CT, and Dorene Spies, LNHA about the campaign, what it is, how it can affect facilities, and what to do if you receive a “red hand” icon on nursinghomecompare.com.

What does it mean for senior living providers to do the right thing when it comes to providing high-quality care? We share insight on staffing, family engagement and executing arbitration agreements. Join Peter Feeney, Managing Partner and Angie Szumlinski, Director of Risk Management as they discuss how doing the right thing pays off.