This week we are featuring the AHCA Quality Initiative Series, part nine of a 10-part resource series designed by AHCA to support members in reducing rehospitalizations.  The Quality Initiative Series provides in-depth instruction and strategies to help members effectively meet impending payment and regulatory changes.

The Quality Initiative Series is designed with the intent of helping members succeed by providing insights into the changes, providing specific strategies that can be adopted by centers, and offering a comprehensive array of tools and resources. The eight sessions will include a live webcast featuring experts from around the nation as well as supplemental materials to help members take action on the topic. These will be posted and available within the Quality Initiative topic area. Additionally, each session will include a community discussion where members can post questions and ideas.

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.