In October of 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be implementing the new Medicare payment system, the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM). FHCA recognizes this will be the most significant change in Medicare Part A payments since the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) was first implemented in 1998. PDPM will require all departments within the nursing center to work together to be successful under this change. Although several comments were submitted explaining the importance of a transition for a change of this nature, CMS has decided not to include a transition period. Resource Utilization Groups (RUGs) will end on September 30, and PDPM will start on October 1, 2019.
To help providers prepare for this significant change, FHCA recently completed a series of day-long seminars across the state. Almost 700 members attended across four locations and heard from profession leaders to gain an understanding of the PDPM and learn how to achieve success under the new payment system, including how to lower costs, optimize reimbursement and improve patient outcomes.
FHCA members shared how these seminars were extremely valuable and that they didn’t want to stop there. Starting in March and continuing through the October implementation, FHCA will offer a members-only monthly PDPM Webinar Series to continue informing providers about important topics to ensure a smooth transition.
The webinar series will kick off on Friday, March 29, at 11:00 a.m. EST with Robin Bleier of RB Health Partners, Inc. conducting “PDPM Bootcamp: Basic Training.” This first session will help providers understand the structure and organization of PDPM, with a focus on the rule, the six rate components, and the interdisciplinary role spanning from clinical services, rehab services, coding, billing and more. From there we move into presentations about the importance of Section GG and ADL data for PDPM; strategies for success with workflow changes and training staff; compliance under PDPM; MDS coding and the importance of capturing the documentation that will affect reimbursement; using visual analytics tools to simplify PDPM; and business office knowledge. These webinars will be conducted by FHCA member experts who have spent months preparing for the change and are conducting trainings all over the country on this very important topic.
For more information about topics, presenters, dates and to register please visit FHCA’s website.