The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Value-Based Purchasing Program awards incentive payments to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to encourage SNFs to improve the quality of care they provide to patients. The Value-Based Purchasing Program incentive is based on the Medicare Part A rehospitalization rates. The SNF VBP Program currently uses the SNF 30-Day All-Cause Readmission Measure (SNFRM), which evaluates the risk-standardized readmission rate (RSRR) of unplanned, all-cause hospital readmissions.   But what does this mean for your organization?    Listen to today’s episode of PATHTalks featuring Pathway Health experts Robin Davis, Director of Reimbursement and Regulatory Services, and Colleen Toebe, Director of Consulting as the share insights and practical considerations.   Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

A solid system for mandatory education for new employees as well as ongoing refresher training is necessary for organizations to show evidence that training on required topics has been conducted. An organized, realistic, user-friendly process that meets State and Federal requirements, and best practice approach, with a good documentation process is necessary.   In this episode of PATHTalks, Pathway Health experts Sue LaGrange, Chief Nursing Officer, and Chris Fangboner, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships discuss mandatory education strategies. Tune in to learn more today! Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

In a world where finding talented individuals is scarce, you must be ready to look within for who can be developed and is up for the challenge of something more. Beyond using it as a recruitment and retention strategy, investing in individuals within your organization makes them more engaged, working harder, and most importantly, happier. Engagement means better financial outcomes, clinical outcomes, resident satisfaction, and so much more.   These strategies can be used at all levels beyond the leader and leadership team. Growing leaders can help move an organization forward. But what are some strategies you can use to develop great leaders?   In this episode of PATHTalks, you’ll hear from Pathway Health experts Chandler Hulke, Director of Leadership Services, and Lisa Thomson, Chief Operating Officer, as they discuss practical leadership development strategies to support leaders from within your organization. Tune in today!   Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

Business development is key to ensuring future growth in all aspects of your senior living community or organization simply because having a plan in place helps us stay on track and move forward as one. A business development plan encompasses innovations with the changing times to build a good reputation and leverage an organization’s mission and core values.   But what are some practical ways to go about creating such a plan? How do you implement a plan that is sustainable and attainable for the entire organization? What elements do you need to be successful?   In today’s episode of PATHTalks, you’ll hear from Pathway Health experts Jody Carver, Director of Business Development, and Chandler Hulke, Director of Leadership Services, as they share actionable insights, strategies, and ideas to help you get your business plans together and ready to better serve your organization. If you want to learn how to craft your business development skills, this episode will help you get started toward a brighter tomorrow. Check it out today!   Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

Preparedness is vitally important for a successful survey. Being prepared and organized helps a survey go well, and nursing homes should be survey-ready every day. But how do you do that? If you still need ideas on being an informed leader and implementing effective surveys, we’ve got you covered.   Tune in to this episode PATHTalks to hear from Robin Davis, Director of Reimbursement and Regulatory Services, and Chandler Hulke, Director of Leadership Services, as they discuss the importance of educating your staff, always practicing, and so much more. Hear their thoughts, strategies, and ideas today. Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

A risk assessment is a proactive compliance tool used to detect, prevent, and correct risk while identifying inappropriate practices. It can be used in a clinical setting, financial setting, or both.   But how do leaders identify risk? Is identifying risk the same as a regulatory review or a mock survey? What is the difference? And most importantly, what should you look for when identifying potential risks?   Get the answers to these questions and more by tuning in to today’s installment of PATHTalks. This episode features Pathway Health experts Daniel Billings, Chief Innovation Officer, and Robin Davis, Director of Reimbursement and Regulatory Services, as they discuss their thoughts, strategies, tips, and ideas for running risk assessments for your organization. Tune in today!   Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

Electronic Health Records (EHR) play an important role in health care, and that’s because it’s a systematized collection of patient and population electronically-stored health information in a digital format — but optimizing your EHR investment is pivotal. From establishing WhizKids as lead trainers and mentors to customizing and streamlining EHR documentation, and engaging in training and consultations, you, too, can optimize your EHR investment.    In today’s episode of PATHTalks, you’ll hear from Pathway Health experts Daniel Billings, Chief Development Officer, and Keri Wlaschin, Director of Project Management, as they provide actionable insights for quality assurance, risk management, and more. After listening to this episode, you’ll be an expert at dealing with your EHR investment.   Let Pathway Health support leaders and frontline staff in maximizing EHR benefits and data utilization for informed decision-making. Tune in today!  Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

Professional or talent development plans are key to an organization’s recruitment and retention strategy. This internal process positions employees for career development and advancement opportunities, setting them up for successful careers within the organization. It also helps the organization better navigate its succession plan as employees move up the ladder.   What is the key to creating successful talent development plans? It’s simple: Keep it simple. Doing so can yield incredible results, including enhanced retention rates and reduced recruitment expenses.    Turn into today’s PATHTalks episode featuring Pathway Health experts Jarrin Hagglund, VP of Human Resources, and Chandler Hulke, Director of Leadership Services, as they discuss their thoughts, ideas and strategies for creating foolproof talent development plans for your organization. Tune in today! Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

Learning is a crucial component of becoming a better, more well-rounded person. Without it, we simply wouldn’t be able to be successful in our respective fields — but that fact is perhaps heightened in the health care landscape more so than any other.   But why is ongoing education so important? How does it really affect our performance at work or otherwise? Do we truly need to incorporate it into our daily lives?   Find out why a love of ongoing learning is so vital in this episode of PATHTalks featuring Pathway Health experts Dr. Doug Olson, President and CEO of Vision Centre, and Christopher Fangboner, Vice President of Digital Education. They’ll provide you with strategies, insights, and ideas for incorporating education into your everyday practice for you and your team members. Tune in to learn more today! Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

Having a process in place to nurture leaders and implement a talent development plan for your team is a top retention and recruitment strategy for healthcare organizations.   Listen to this episode of PATHTalks, Emerging Leaders: How to Support and Where to Begin, featuring Doug Olson, Pathway Health Senior Advisor, and CEO and President of the Vision Center and Pathway Health’s Director of Leadership Services, Chandler Hulke, as they share their insights into how to bridge the talent gap! Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

Because of the MDS change effective October 1, 2023, with Section G being removed and replaced with Section GG, some of the Quality Measures (QMs) were impacted. With these changes, you may have questions — and we have your answers. In this episode of PATHTalks, you’ll learn about Quality Measure changes impacting organization outcomes for 2024, and you’ll also get a sneak peek into the future with insights on upcoming changes in programs such as SNF VBP and SNF QRP. Listen in as Pathway Health experts Robin Davis, Director of Regulatory and Reimbursement Services, and Colleen Toebe, Director of Consulting Services help you navigate these shifts, provide actionable tips, and share vital information. Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

In this episode of PATHTalks, our experts delve into the significant adjustments happening in the realm of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Join us as we unpack the removal of Section GG discharge goal column and the integration of COVID vaccination status in Section O, both pivotal components stemming from the FY2024 SNF PPS Final Rule. Why do these changes matter? How will they directly impact your facility’s Medicare Annual Percentage Update (APU)? The potential loss is staggering: Failure to grasp and correctly code the new Discharge Function Measure could lead to a substantial 2% loss — a detail you won’t want to overlook. Tune in to hear from Pathway Health experts Robin Davis, Director of Regulatory and Reimbursement Services, and Colleen Toebe, Director of Consulting Services, as they share  actionable steps to prepare for these shifts. From educating your staff to ensuring documentation is up-to-date for seamless coding by your MDS Coordinator, they will provide the path to success for you to follow.  Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

In this episode of PATHTalks, health care leaders will learn about the many changes to the MDS 2023 Updates and their impact in 2024.  Tune in to hear Pathway Health experts Robin Davis, Director of Regulatory and Reimbursement Services, and Colleen Toebe, Director of Consulting Services, discuss important MDS 2023 Updates and leadership considerations to support your team. Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) play an important role in assisted living. More than just a clinical tool, ISPs are used to engage the whole team involved starting at the sales process and even including family. Taking it a step further, we can see where there are gaps and use them as a tool to provide education and ongoing training to staff.   ISPs are core to everything that is done in an assisted living community, serving as the core tool to determine resource needs, staffing needs as well as specific knowledge needed to provide great care to those you serve.   In today's episode of PATHTalks, you'll hear from Pathway Health's own Jody Carver, LALD, Director of Business Development, and Chandler Hulke, NHA, LALD, Director of Leadership Services, as they sit down with Lisa Thomson, Chief Operating Officer as they share their thoughts, stories, ideas, and insights into the importance of ISPs. Tune in today!   Learn more at pathwayhealth.com.

All career paths require some sort of competency understanding, but one could argue that it matters most in the health care industry. Competency-based education is essential in order for organizations to feel confident that employees have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform their job and to provide quality care.   Learn more on this important topic and leadership considerations from Lisa Thomson and Susan LaGrange, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer for Pathway Health.   Learn more at pathwayhealth.com.

In resident care, swift recognition and management of a change in condition are essential for maintaining the quality of care, ensuring regulatory compliance and preventing unnecessary hospital transfers.   Get insights on this topic and leadership considerations from Susan LaGrange, Chief Nursing Officer for Pathway Health.   Learn more at PathwayHealth.com.

Infection control continues to be in the top regulatory citations in each state and on a national level. Having an effective and comprehensive IPC program is critical for all health care organizations, and leaders have a key role in ensuring proper implementation and outcomes. For more insights on this topic, tune into our latest episode, where Susan LaGrange, Chief Nursing Officer for Pathway Health, shares her insights. Learn more at PathwayHealth.com

Regulatory compliance is an essential aspect of long-term care, and as professionals in the field, it is our responsibility to be aware of changes needed in our facilities in order to provide residents the best care and team members the best place to thrive. Hear more on this topic from Pathway Health’s Director of Regulatory and Reimbursement Services, Robin Davis. Learn more at PathwayHealth.com

Mandatory education updates promote the professional development of staff and ensure compliance, facility success, and quality outcomes for patients and residents. Our latest PATHTalks episode shares more on the matter. Tune in to hear from Susan LaGrange, Chief Nursing Officer, and Chris Fangboner, VP of Partner Ecosystem & Digital Education for Pathway Health. Learn more at PathwayHealth.com

In this episode, Chris Fangboner, VP of Partner Ecosystem & Digital Education for Pathway Health, explains how to access and strategize your organization's CMS Data to help organize, strategize and determine future opportunities.    Learn More at PathwayHealth.com