Harmony Healthcare International (HHI) Outlines Impact of New Quality Measures on SNF Five-Star Ratings
Topsfield, MA (PRWEB) July 29, 2016 -- Effective immediately the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have mandated that SNFs begin using the five new Quality Measures released in the Five-Star Technical User’s Guide last April. The five new QMs will be weighted at 50% from today until October 2016 when the measures will be calculated at their full value.
“This announcement can have a dramatic impact on a facility’s Five-Star Rating,” said Kris Mastrangelo, OTR/L, LNHA, MBA, President and CEO of Harmony Healthcare International (HHI), “Small facilities or facilities that have not historically generated long and short stay measures may see major changes in their Five-Star rating. Harmony Healthcare has already adjusted its Five-Star Quality Analysis to reflect the impact of the new QMs and we are happy to provide SNFs with the analysis free of charge.”
Harmony Healthcare International (HHI), the leader in compliance and reimbursement consulting and education, outlines the new QMs and their impact to help providers proactively prepare for the roll-out of the new ratings on Nursing Home Compare.
Key calculation changes that have the potential to impact your Quality Measures Five-Star calculation include:
1. The ADL Quality Measure will no longer be based on State cut points. The same National cut points will be used for all facilities. Those facilities in Medicaid Case Mix States with a 6-month snap shot may be more likely to see changes to their ADL Quality Measures.
2. The look back period for Five-Star calculations will now be 1 year for the MDS based QMs versus 3 quarters. This may result in facilities having new measures in their calculations that have historically been reported on Nursing Home Compare as “Not Applicable”.
3. The computation for facilities that do not generate long and or short stay measures has significantly changed. For example, CMS will now use a computation method that will take an average of your facilities Long Stay Measures to calculate Short Stay Measures versus utilizing a computation method based on the National Average.
4. The Minimum data submission requirements to generate QMs for all measures will be reduced and summed for the entire year.
Facilities are encouraged to utilize their QIES system to obtain their July preview report prior to the public release on Nursing Home Compare. This new preview report will also include the points assignment for each QM to assist facilities in understanding the new calculations. These measures will be diluted to only impact the Five-Star calculations at 50% of their full value. In October, these 5 measures will count to their full 100%.
“Harmony Healthcare International (HHI) believes in keeping our clients, colleagues and industry partners in the know,” said Mastrangelo, “The impact and importance of a building’s Five-Star rating cannot be underestimated. With all the changes and challenges our industry faces daily, SNFs must be on the top of their game and use all the tools available to keep competitive and to perform as a ‘star’ caregiver.”
About Harmony Healthcare International
Harmony Healthcare International (HHI) was founded in 2001. With headquarters in Topsfield, MA, Harmony Healthcare International (HHI) serves clients in the skilled nursing, acute care, home health and assisted living markets with operational and compliance consulting, training and educational programs and talent enrichment services. With a staff of accomplished HealthCARE Specialists who serve as consultants to For-Profit, Not-For-Profit, Standalone and Multi-Facility Chains across the country, Harmony Healthcare International (HHI) has been ranked among the top 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the U.S. for 3 consecutive years by Inc. Magazine. Harmony Healthcare International, “We C.A.R.E. About Care.” Visit us at: http://www.harmony-healthcare.com.
Media Contact:
Jon A. Di Gesu
Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations
jdigesu(at)harmony-healthcare(dot)com
@JonDiGesu
(O) 978.887.8919 (C) 603.770.5731
Jon Di Gesu, Harmony Healthcare International, http://www.harmony-healthcare.com, +1 603 770 5731, [email protected]
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