In this new role, Smith will not only lead the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation but will also serve as a Senior Advisor to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar for Value-Based Transformation. Secretary Azar stressed that Smith will “continue and accelerate the value-based transformation work” of CMS and HHS. In addition to his entrepreneurial background, Smith is also a former Rhodes Scholar.
The tool includes commonly used therapy procedure codes that skilled nursing facilities and others are paid for under the physician fee schedule for the period of January 1 through December 31, 2020.
Here’s an overview of our work for you in December 2019.
Viibrant Named One of North Carolina’s Startups to Watch
WRAL TechWire recently profiled LeadingAge Silver Partner Viibrant, which the North Carolina Technology Association recognized as one of 10 “Startups to Watch” across the state.
As in the recent past, MedPAC continues to offer payment reductions as recommendations for home health, hospice, and skilled nursing facilities.
LeadingAge is pleased to announce our support for S. 2993, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act, introduced by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Scott (R-SC). This bill is similar to H.R. 4468, the Nursing Home Workforce Quality Act, in that both bills eliminate the automatic loss of certified nurse training authority for two years if a nursing home receives a certain level of civil money penalties. In both bills, the training authority is reinstated when the home comes back into complete compliance. And both bills direct CMS to monitor these nursing homes as needed.
A SNP model could help life plan communities influence outcomes of care for residents over time.
A number of LeadingAge members are asking that question. In response, the Center for Managed Care Solutions & Innovations at LeadingAge compiled observations and advice from several sources, including consultants who specialize in this area and members that are pursuing or have implemented their own SNP strategy. The main takeaway: There appears to be agreement that a successful SNP strategy is all about the numbers, your market, and your ability to change care delivery patterns.
On Wednesday, November 20, the Senate Finance Committee, Subcommittee on Health Care held a hearing entitled, “Alzheimer’s Awareness: Barriers to Diagnosis, Treatment and Care Coordination.” Subcommittee Chair Patrick Toomey (R-PA) and ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) timed the hearing to coincide with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.
LeadingAge joins with more than 100 organizations who are in support of the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741) introduced by members of the Congressional Telehealth Caucus. The bipartisan legislation would promote the availability of telehealth, the use of technology services through the Medicare program, and improve care.
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