A lot has been made of the complexity of PDPM. We’ve all heard by now there are more than 28 thousand code combinations. Let me get straight to the point: this narrative is wrong and is being used to make you feel like PDPM is too complex for you to handle. The “more than 28… Continue reading Just How Many HIPPS Codes Are There?
Tag: Knowledge
Broken Promises…
For years Therapy Companies have told SNFs we can “help increase your census” , “help increase your Medicare Part A rate” “help increase your Medicaid rate” etc…. BUT if your census never increased, your Med A rate stayed the same, and your Medicaid rate did not change, are these just Broken Promises? Right now, every… Continue reading Broken Promises…
CMS Updates the PDPM Website
On Friday August 30th, CMS slipped in a PDPM website update, presumably with the latest revisions to the PDPM that seem to be a natural result of questions and clarifications arising from the Final Rule posting in July, the two training sessions that CMS provided in Kansas City and Baltimore as well as the recent… Continue reading CMS Updates the PDPM Website
The DOs and DON’Ts when signing a PDPM Pricing Amendment
DO Options – PDPM is not “one size fits all”, ask for 2 to 3 pricing options from your therapy provider so you can choose the one that you think is best for your facility. Simplicity – You should be able to clearly understand what it is you are paying. Flexibility – Many therapy providers… Continue reading The DOs and DON’Ts when signing a PDPM Pricing Amendment
How does case-mix drive staffing ratings?
Changes in patient acuity change the case-mix or “expected” hours used to determine staffing stars. That’s not news for anyone who reads this blog. The problem is the relationship is difficult to tease out. This is because CMS does not publish the exact criteria they use to select assessments that are included in calculating acuity… Continue reading How does case-mix drive staffing ratings?
Staffing Navigator™ – A Case Study
In today’s posting I am going to explain how to use Staffing Navigator™ to diagnose and troubleshoot a staffing issue that is causing problems in a 5 Star Rating. This post will also explain staffing cut points which can be confusing. If you haven’t already, download Staffing Navigator™. It’s free in the app stores. Hypothetical… Continue reading Staffing Navigator™ – A Case Study
Introducing: Staffing Navigator™!
Today we’re introducing a new software tool: Staffing Navigator™! This tool is intended to help operators understand how acuity, number of residents, nursing rates and mix (RN, LPN and CNA) work together to determine your staffing stars. Additionally you can use Staffing Navigator™ to: Determine the ideal mix of RN, LPN and CNA to achieve… Continue reading Introducing: Staffing Navigator™!
CMS has updated the PDPM website… Again!
As we in the SNF world eagerly anticipate the 5-Star and the SNF FY 2020 proposed rule this month, the revised RAI Manual in May and the SNF FY 2020 Final Rule in July, on April 4th, CMS updated the PDPM Website… again! Things are really moving at a breakneck pace. You may feel like… Continue reading CMS has updated the PDPM website… Again!
PDPM, Staffing & STRIVE
There is a problem on the horizon. Under PDPM, the staffing study used to determine how many nursing hours to expect for a given RUG level will not longer work. That study, called STRIVE, was originally done between 2005 and 2009. The data from that study is used to estimate how many nursing hours (RN,… Continue reading PDPM, Staffing & STRIVE
5 Star Staffing Ratings
We’re getting a lot of inquiries about 5 star ratings. It’s understandable because of the changes coming in April. One question we’re getting asked is “What would it take to improve my staffing rating?” or “How can I get another star?” In this post we’re going to take a look at that, using the new… Continue reading 5 Star Staffing Ratings