An estimated 1.5 million beneficiaries are receiving treatment at more than 15,000 long-term care facilities around the country.
The CMS proposed a rule aimed at dramatically improving the quality of care Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries are receiving in nursing homes.
According to modernhealthcare.com, an estimated 1.5 million beneficiaries are receiving treatment at more than 15,000 long-term care facilities or nursing homes around the country that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The 403-page proposed rule released in 2015 contains numerous proposals to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions and infections, increase quality of care and introduce new safety measures.
President Barack Obama announced the new rules in July 2015 at the White House Conference on Aging.
Some of the changes include making sure that nursing home staff members are properly trained on caring for residents with dementia and in preventing elder abuse. Other changes include improving care planning, including discharge planning for all residents with involvement of the facility’s interdisciplinary team and consideration of the caregiver’s capacity, giving residents information they need for follow-up, and ensuring that instructions are transmitted to any receiving facilities or services. Lastly, the CMS is looking to strengthen the rights of nursing home residents, including placing limits on when and how binding arbitration agreements may be used.
The CMS is the leading payer in the nation for long-term care services. Approximately 64% of nursing home residents have their care paid for by Medicaid, another 14% are covered by Medicare and 22% have another payer, according to the American Health Care Association, a nursing home trade group.
If finalized, the proposals would cost the nursing home industry $729 million in the first year the rule is in effect and $638 million in year two, according to the CMS.
Richard Mollot, executive director at National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, said he also wanted more controls to ensure that senior citizens are not unnecessarily prescribed anti-psychotics, which has been a problem at nursing homes.
“When anti-psychotics are used long term, there is an increased risk of death,” Mollot said. Read entire article at modern healthcare.com
Clay Bullard, president of PGx Medical believes by managing a residents medications you can improve quality of care not only for the resident, but also for the staff. “All of a sudden, residents with behavioral issues aren’t a problem any longer when you have them on medications they are able to receive therapy from, and you can reduce cost by eliminating unnecessary medications. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
For information on Metabolic Validation, via pharmacogenomic testing, contact:
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
info@pgxmed.com
405-509-5112