Resource HubPosts By Category
16 Essential KPIs for Post-Acute Healthcare Facilities to Track
1/17/2025
Post-acute care facilities face unique challenges in delivering quality care while managing costs and improving patient outcomes. They must navigate complex regulations, address diverse patient needs, and adapt to changing reimbursement models.
Providers like these deal with long-term patient relationships, complex care needs, and focus on improving functional status and quality of life. They also face strict regulatory oversight and value-based reimbursement models that link payments to outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Effective KPI tracking is crucial for post-acute care facilities to succeed. This article outlines important KPIs that post-acute care facilities should track.
7 Common Challenges in Healthcare Quality Improvement & How to Overcome Them
12/9/2024
Quality improvement is an essential process for post-acute healthcare organizations. It allows them to enhance resident outcomes, increase operational efficiency, and maintain financial stability. But it’s not as easy as simply deciding to improve. In fact, implementing quality improvement initiatives—and keeping the momentum going—often comes with significant challenges.
Healthcare Regulatory Compliance ConsultingHow Saltmarsh Can Help
12/9/2024
In today's healthcare landscape, regulatory compliance is crucial for operational success and resident care. Healthcare organizations face complex regulations that can be challenging to navigate. Healthcare regulatory compliance consultants provide essential guidance to help organizations be proactive about meeting standards, avoiding penalties, and improving operations in general.
Process Improvement in Post-Acute HealthcareA Proactive Approach
12/5/2024
Post-acute healthcare organizations today grapple with a variety of complex challenges, including rising operational costs, increased regulatory scrutiny, and the pressing need to enhance resident care amidst staffing shortages. These issues can lead to inefficiencies, errors, and diminished resident satisfaction if not addressed proactively. Process improvement can help providers streamline operations and ensure high-quality care... read more!
The Importance of Stakeholder Communication for Healthcare Quality Improvement
12/5/2024
Post-acute healthcare organizations constantly strive to enhance patient outcomes, increase operational efficiency, and maintain regulatory compliance. However, many struggle to implement effective quality improvement initiatives due to a critical yet often overlooked factor: stakeholder communication. This article explores how stakeholder communication impacts quality improvement efforts and how you can leverage it to drive successful initiatives.
Skilled Nursing Providers: Review Your CMS SNF Provider Preview Reports by November 14, 2024
11/1/2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released the latest Skilled Nursing Facility Provider Preview Reports for the Post-Acute Care Quality Reporting Program. If you are a skilled nursing provider, this is your opportunity to review your facility’s quality data before it goes public on Care Compare during the January 2025 refresh.
Baldrige Excellence FrameworkEverything Long-Term Care Facilities Need to Know
10/29/2024
Long-term care providers face a unique challenge: how do you deliver consistent, high-quality care while maintaining financial stability? The Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, also known as the Baldrige Excellence Framework, provides a systematic approach that can help healthcare organizations sharpen leadership, achieve strategic goals and improve overall performance. In this guide, we’ll explore what the Baldrige Excellence Framework is and its potential benefits for long-term care providers.
Understanding the Updated CMS Form CMS-10055What Providers Need to Know About the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage
10/25/2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently issued updates to the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (ABN), Form CMS-10055. This form is critical for healthcare providers to notify Medicare beneficiaries when services they are receiving may not be covered by Medicare, and that the patient may be responsible for paying out-of-pocket.
NEW Off-Cycle Reporting Requirements for SNF Medicare Revalidations
10/1/2024
Beginning in October and continuing through December 2024, CMS is requiring action from all SNF providers to report additional data on ownership, managerial, and related party information not previously required during the revalidation process. Importantly, this new requirement may dramatically expand the definition of who must be considered an additional disclosable related party.
Navigating the New CMS Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Measures: Effective October 1, 2024
9/27/2024
As of October 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is introducing new measures to its SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program for FY 2026 with a performance period FY 2024 (10/1/23-9/30/24), signaling a shift towards a broader evaluation of SNF performance.
Facility Assessment Tool Updates Effective 8/8/2024
8/14/2024
New, revised guidance for the CMS Facility Assessment tool requirement (F838) is now in effect, and providers need to be prepared to avoid non-compliance. While this tool was initially designed to be reviewed annually and include information on both the resident population and the resources required to provide adequate care, additional provisions have been defined which expand the scope of the tool and impose new expectations on providers.
Saltmarsh Siren: Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Final Rule for FY 2025
8/6/2024
Last week, CMS issued the final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) for the fiscal year 2025 update. Below are some of the key highlights of the final rule:
Saltmarsh Siren: Proposed 2025 Home Health Rules
7/30/2024
The 2025 Proposed Rule for Home Health Agencies (HHAs) set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) suggests significant changes for HHA providers. Continue reading to view the proposed changes.
Saltmarsh Siren: July 4th Florida Medicaid Payment Delays
6/25/2024
Attention Florida healthcare providers! Medicaid payments typically scheduled for Thursday, July 4th, will not be available until Monday, July 8th due to the Department of Financial Services being down for fiscal-year-end closing processes and the July 4th holiday.
Saltmarsh Welcomes Q3 Healthcare Consulting to the FirmExpands Presence in Senior Living and Post-Acute Care
4/8/2024
We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Ziolkowski, MBA, CLSSYB, and Kelly Smith, PhD, CPHQ, CLSSBB, as directors in the firm’s existing healthcare consulting practice!
Saltmarsh Siren: Upcoming April & May Deadlines for Florida Skilled Nursing Providers
4/8/2024
April & May are busy months for financial compliance and particularly for Florida Skilled Nursing Providers! Check out these upcoming deadlines for financial reporting.
Upcoming Changes to Medicare Home Office Cost Reports: Are You Ready?
2/5/2024
Late last year, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the release of CMS Form 287-22, better known as the Home Office Cost Statement. The new form is effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2022, and supersedes the previously used form, 287-05. Learn more!
Saltmarsh Siren: CMS Guidelines Regarding Bad Debt
10/3/2023
For Medicare Part A providers, bad debt can be an important yet tricky subject. Since bad debt is a key area of focus for the clients we serve, the Healthcare Team at Saltmarsh wanted to highlight some of the crucial points from Chapter 3 of Part 1 of the Medicare Provider Reimbursement Manual.
Saltmarsh Siren: AHCA Publishes Medicaid Skilled Nursing Reimbursement Rates
9/14/2023
For all Skilled Nursing Providers in Florida who accept Medicaid: On September 5th the Agency for Healthcare Administration published the final Medicaid Nursing Home Reimbursement Rates for the rate-setting period beginning October 1, 2023. Learn more in this Saltmarsh Siren!
Saltmarsh Siren: AHCA Updates Proposed Florida Nursing Home Uniform Reporting System (FNHURS) Rule
9/13/2023
On September 5th AHCA published a Notice of Change to the proposed Florida Nursing Home Uniform Reporting System (FNHURS). This change updates and clarifies the definition of “Home Office” in proposed rule 59E-4.101, establishes the circumstances under which consolidated audits may be utilized... learn more in this Saltmarsh Siren!
Saltmarsh Siren: CMS Issues Final Prospective Payment System Rule for Fiscal Year 2024
8/9/2023
On July 31, 2023, a final rule to update Medicare payment policies and rates for skilled nursing facilities under the SNF PPS system was issued by CMS for fiscal year 2024. Key updates include changes to the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program for FY 2024 and beyond, as well as the adoption of a measure to address staff turnover.
Saltmarsh Siren: Upcoming Reporting Deadlines for HRSA Provider Relief Fund & American Rescue Plan Rural Distributions
3/8/2023
As a reminder, the PRF Reporting Period 4 opened on January 1, 2023, and will remain open through March 31, 2023. Reporting Period 4 covers PRF payments received between July 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Providers who received aggregated PRF payments of more than $10,000 should be prepared to report on their use of these funds. The Reporting Period 4 Period of Availability runs from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2022.
Saltmarsh Siren: Reporting Updates for HRSA Provider Relief Fund & American Rescue Plan Rural Distribution
12/15/2022
Get ready, PRF Reporting Period 4 opens January 1, 2023, and will remain open through March 31, 2023. Reporting Period 4 covers PRF payments received between July 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Check out the latest Saltmarsh Siren to learn more about this reporting update and upcoming deadlines!
Saltmarsh Siren: Florida's New Minimum Wage Requirements for Medicaid Providers
10/5/2022
As a reminder, Florida’s new $15/hour minimum wage requirement for providers participating in the Medicaid program went into effect on October 1, 2022. The new Florida Medicaid Fee-For-Service Schedules reflecting the increases related to the mandatory $15/hour minimum wage have been published and are available on AHCA’s website.
Webinar Materials: Healthcare Hot Topics: Florida's New Minimum Wage Requirements for Medicaid Providers
9/14/2022
Florida’s budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 is providing more than $600 million in new funding for the sole purpose of increasing the minimum wage for employees of Medicaid providers to at least $15 an hour. This new funding, which goes into effect on October 1, 2022, comes with significant new compliance risks, including new requirements for participation in the Medicaid program and a new civil cause of action for non-compliance.
Past Posts By Category
- 16 Essential KPIs for Post-Acute Healthcare Facilities to Track
- 7 Common Challenges in Healthcare Quality Improvement & How to Overcome Them
- Healthcare Regulatory Compliance Consulting
- Process Improvement in Post-Acute Healthcare
- The Importance of Stakeholder Communication for Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Skilled Nursing Providers: Review Your CMS SNF Provider Preview Reports by November 14, 2024
- Baldrige Excellence Framework
- Understanding the Updated CMS Form CMS-10055
- NEW Off-Cycle Reporting Requirements for SNF Medicare Revalidations
- Navigating the New CMS Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Measures: Effective October 1, 2024
- Facility Assessment Tool Updates Effective 8/8/2024
- Saltmarsh Siren: Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Final Rule for FY 2025
- Saltmarsh Siren: Proposed 2025 Home Health Rules
- Saltmarsh Siren: July 4th Florida Medicaid Payment Delays
- Saltmarsh Welcomes Q3 Healthcare Consulting to the Firm
- Saltmarsh Siren: Upcoming April & May Deadlines for Florida Skilled Nursing Providers
- Upcoming Changes to Medicare Home Office Cost Reports: Are You Ready?
- Saltmarsh Siren: CMS Guidelines Regarding Bad Debt
- Saltmarsh Siren: AHCA Publishes Medicaid Skilled Nursing Reimbursement Rates
- Saltmarsh Siren: AHCA Updates Proposed Florida Nursing Home Uniform Reporting System (FNHURS) Rule
- Saltmarsh Siren: CMS Issues Final Prospective Payment System Rule for Fiscal Year 2024
- Saltmarsh Siren: Upcoming Reporting Deadlines for HRSA Provider Relief Fund & American Rescue Plan Rural Distributions
- Saltmarsh Siren: Reporting Updates for HRSA Provider Relief Fund & American Rescue Plan Rural Distribution
- Saltmarsh Siren: Florida's New Minimum Wage Requirements for Medicaid Providers
- Webinar Materials: Healthcare Hot Topics: Florida's New Minimum Wage Requirements for Medicaid Providers
- View All Posts
