This week we are featuring Considerations for End of Life Care, part six of a 10-part resource series designed by AHCA to support members in reducing rehospitalizations. Considerations for End of Life Care will help you discover ways to invite family members into the conversation, support the wishes of the resident and uphold the sacred trust that is placed in your care.

Considerations for End of Life Care Learning Objectives:

• Identify critical domains and competencies for Advance Care Planning and End of Life Care
• Examine the process flow map for implementation of Advance Care Planning and End of Life Care
• Review scenarios that support having “end of life conversations”
• Contrast the difference between an Advance Care Plan and Advance Directive

About the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program

Starting October 1, 2018, all Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Medicare Part A rates will be cut by 2 percent to fund an incentive payment pool.

At that time, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will adjust payments and return some amount to providers based on how well they do in managing hospital readmissions by meeting or exceeding performance standards. This CMS effort, the SNF Value Based Purchasing (VBP) Program, links financial outcomes to quality performance. 

Providers may think they don’t have to focus on the SNF VBP program yet as it does not affect payment until 2018. But CMS is currently collecting rehospitalization data that will be used to determine how much centers earn back.