Care Choices Ltd’s Post

NPs are masters of finding ways to provide care when a need exists. Kudos to brave NPs like Kevin Zizzo for doing what needs to be done to ensure patients have a choice for access to care. With few options if not hired into one of the funded primary care positions in FHTs/CHCs/NPLCs, having patients pay an NP out of pocket is a workaround that most wish they didn't have to resort to. I appreciate their courage as many have faced harrassment for doing so (not so much from patients but from other providers, you know who you are). At least it has forced this government to review how healthcare is funded and who/how we compensate to provide that care. Our current model of paying for healthcare delivery is 60 years old and no longer matches the realities of team-based care and the complexity of patient needs. Other healthcare providers have the compentence and knowledge to provide much of the care that is needed, but we lack an integrated way to compensate them, forcing many patients to already overcrowded and fragmented walk-in clinics or emergency departments.

In long-term care, hospital transfers can be a difficult event for residents and their family members. In Peel Region, we saw that improving our capacity for early diagnosis could reduce the need for such transfers. With the support of the Ontario government’s Local Priorities Funding, Peel Region has invested in diagnostic equipment and training for the physicians and nurse practitioners who care for seniors living in our non-profit long-term care homes. Based on three months of using the new diagnostic equipment, early results show that we reduced hospital transfers in 36% of residents tested. Reducing hospital transfers is a great example of emotion-based and patient-centred care.  The diagnostic equipment increases the quality of care provided to the resident right in their home. It also helps to reduce pressures on emergency departments and the health system.  We are excited to continue measuring and sharing outcomes of this initiative -- and to celebrating the amazing work of our nursing care team.  Health system transformation is possible if we take our lead from the needs of patients, which often leads to solutions that also improve system performance. #ContinuousImprovement #SeniorsCare #HealthcareInnovation #LongTermCare #PeelRegion #ImprovingLives

💡 "Success requires a delicate balance of efficient operations, strategic financial management, regulatory support, and unwavering commitment to care quality." A month ago, we explored how Medicare payment systems impact skilled nursing facilities. The reality? The average SNF will only see an extra $84k in 2025 from Medicare's 4.2% payment increase - barely enough to cover rising costs. But there's hope. From payment reform to operational efficiency, our analysis outlines practical solutions for these essential healthcare providers. Missed the discussion? Read the full analysis. #HealthcareInnovation #Medicare #SkilledNursing #HealthcareSolutions

Long-term care start-ups in Germany are announcing new partnerships with statutory payers almost every month. Yesterday, I had the pleasure to join a webinar organized by Vilans, a leading long-term care organization in the Netherlands. I presented the key dynamics in long-term care in Germany and the main start-ups to watch. A few additional thoughts: 1️⃣ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 & 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝟏 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 There is a crisis on the demand side (always more elderly people in need of care) and on the supply side (not enough nursing staff). Technology is a key enabler to address this. 2️⃣ 𝐃𝐢𝐏𝐀 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 I was first invited to the webinar yesterday to talk about #DiPA, which is the "DiGA for nursing". The DiPA framework would define a standard certification process and certified Care Apps (that are not medical products) would be reimbursed by the social care fund (up to 50 € / month). Even if DiPA should have been implemented in 2022, it is still not there. And it might never happen. However, this DiPA framework might not be needed. For example, Nui Care, a Caregivers' coordination App, which would typically be eligible for DiPA, is showing good traction, making direct deals with statutory payors. 3️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬: 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 Before the webinar yesterday, I always took the Netherlands as the role model for long-term care in Europe. A company like Buurtzorg, based on self-organized care teams, is a best practice example. However, the Netherlands is spending 4%+ of its GDP on long term care (ranking the highest with Denmark), while the average in the OECD country is 1.5%. If nothing changes, 1 out of 4 persons in the Netherlands would have to work in #healthcare in 2040 to cope with the demand. This is not sustainable. 4️⃣ 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦-𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 The Orpea scandal in France is one example that #nursing homes might not be the solution for long-term care. Germany prioritizes keeping patients in need at home. Even at "level 5" care needs (the highest level), over 50% of patients receive #care at-home. 5️⃣ 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 The at-home nursing market is a very fragmented market. In Germany, the top 15 players only capture 5% of the market. This creates inefficiencies. Typically, a nurse would do up to 50% of tasks that a less qualified person could do. Shifting care tasks to the appropriate skill level is a significant improvement lever. This is just one examples out of many. #healthtech Thank you Henk for the invite and insights! And join HLTH Europe in June to discuss!

Obligatory disclaimer: my opinion, not the VAs, nobody paid me to say this, blah, blah, blah . . . . Today I am gonna brag on the VA healthcare system where I work, but more importantly, the VA that has provided my care for 14 of my 19 years post-Army service. Let the old guy jokes fly . . . . So this post is from my perspective and experience as a VA patient and as a social worker in general, not as a current VA employee. The Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System (NAVAHCS) earned a five star rating (again) this year from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The link included lets you see how your hospital of choice was rated. https://lnkd.in/gxPG-vja Last year was the first year that CMS rated VA hospitals, which outperformed non-VA hospitals and continues to do so. I remember reading some comments on social media insinuating (or outright accusing) the government (CMS) was just making themselves (VA) look good. Yet here's the thing: CMS rates all hospitals based on hospital data as well as patient satisfaction surveys. Patient . . . . satisfaction . . . . surveys . . . . I limped into NAVAHCS with a broken toe just four days after my discharge, and was taken care of promptly and professionally. Two days later, I received a call from a social worker with the program I currently work for, which used to be "OEF/OIF" and is now called the Post 9/11 Military2VA Case Management Program (M2VA). Melissa was following up on my recent emergency room visit, and would go on to help me resolve some care access issues a few different times over the course of the next five years. The best doctor I've ever had, hands down, is my current VA pain doctor. Over the course of probably hundreds of appointments, I can count on one hand the number of truly bad experiences I've had. Only one instance was a VA/systems problem, the others were personality-based and not what I would consider to be the fault of how the VA provides care as a system. I am treated with kindness and professionalism by the large majority of VA employees I interact with as a VA patient. Is the VA perfect? No. Are there things I wish could be better at the VA. Um, yes . . . . Anybody who knows me would agree that I don't pull any punches when I see a problem as either a patient or a VA employee. But if somebody offered to pay for my healthcare at any other place in Yavapai County (cuz I am not movin') with no questions asked, I would still choose to stay with the Northern Arizona VA. Granted, I have been a VA patient for 19 years so somebody could say I am comfortable with the VA. Fair enough! But it just isn't that I am comfortable, I am satisfied. #veteranshelpingveterans #wholehealth

The latest article from McKnight's Long-Term Care News warns: "Expanding Medicare Advantage co-pays may leave nursing homes without cash they’ve earned." https://bit.ly/4fpz5aM At Guided Care, we specialize in ensuring your organization gets the reimbursement it deserves. Don’t let these changes impact your bottom line. Partner with #GuidedCare for tailored solutions. To learn more about how we can help: www.guidedcareco.com. #ReimbursementSolutions #MedicareAdvantage #Medicare

🔍 What is Medicare Part A? 🔍 Medicare Part A is a critical component of the Medicare program that provides coverage for hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care services. Understanding the ins and outs of Medicare Part A is essential for making informed healthcare decisions. Here are some key points to help you grasp the basics: 🏥 **Hospital Stays:** Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient hospital stays, including semi-private rooms, meals, general nursing, and other hospital services and supplies. 👩⚕️ **Skilled Nursing Facilities:** If you require skilled nursing or rehabilitation services in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare Part A may cover these services for a limited time under certain conditions. 🌼 **Hospice Care:** Medicare Part A provides coverage for hospice care for individuals who are terminally ill and have a life expectancy of six months or less. 🏠 **Home Health Care:** In limited situations, Medicare Part A may cover part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care, therapy services, home health aide services, medical social services, and medical supplies for individuals who are homebound. 💡 It's important to note that while Medicare Part A provides coverage for these services, there may be specific eligibility criteria, coverage limitations, and out-of-pocket costs that individuals need to be aware of. 💼 **Impact on Your Healthcare:** Understanding Medicare Part A can have a significant impact on your healthcare planning and financial well-being. Knowing what services are covered and any associated costs can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare needs. 🌟 **Key Takeaways:** - Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care services. - Eligibility criteria, coverage limitations, and out-of-pocket costs vary for each service under Medicare Part A. - Being informed about Medicare Part A can empower you to make sound healthcare decisions and plan for your future care needs. 💬 **Engage with us:** Share your experiences or questions about Medicare Part A in the comments below! Let's continue the conversation and support each other in navigating the healthcare landscape. #MedicarePartA #HealthcareCoverage #MedicareExplained 🚀🔵

Patient end employee experience continue to drive the conversation. Listen to what they say. Understand what they need. Turn interactions into connections. #patientexperience #employeeexperience #patientsatisfaction #staffsatisfaction

Uncertainty surrounding the information required for the new nursing home Medicare revalidation process has led to high levels of concern, particularly among for-profit operators, who view it as yet another punitive measure. With insight from Cascadia Healthcare, LeadingAge, and AHCA/NCAL. https://bit.ly/40JcTVb

The proposed Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act, introduced Wednesday, aims to address the issue of counting hospital "observation" days towards the required 3-day hospital stay for Medicare A benefits in a SNF. This change could provide much-needed relief to seniors, ensuring they have access to post-acute care without facing significant out-of-pocket expenses. However, concerns remain about the potential impact on Medicare spending. #strikingabalance #improvingaccess #fiscalresponsibility #BYS #BYSSolutions #skillednursing #hospitals #healthcarefinance