Timothy Peck’s Post

🌟 A Beacon of Hope in Healthcare: The Hilltown Healthcare Story 🌟 Today, I want to highlight a story that embodies the true spirit of community-driven healthcare. Nurse Practitioner Jill Martin and the journey of Hilltown Healthcare in Berne is a testament to what can be achieved when determination meets community support. 🏥 Reviving Healthcare in the Hilltowns After the closure of a vital medical practice in Berne, Jill Martin stepped up, driven by a mission to bring medical care back to the community. Despite challenges, her unwavering dedication led to the opening of Hilltown Healthcare, PLLC, in December 2019. 💡 The Power of Community and Collaboration This success story isn't just about one person's effort. It's a narrative of how local businesses, residents, and former practitioners like Dr. Gary Kolanchick came together to support a noble cause. The generous donation from Hannay Reels Inc. and the collective effort of the community played a crucial role in making this initiative a reality. 🤝 Inclusivity and Accessibility at Its Core Hilltown Healthcare is more than a medical practice; it's a symbol of hope. With a focus on serving all patients, including the uninsured and under-insured, it stands as a model for accessible healthcare. The clinic's approach, offering affordable care and operating at a planned loss initially, underscores a commitment to patient welfare over profit. 🚀 A Lesson in Healthcare Innovation What Hilltown Healthcare represents is the essence of innovation in healthcare. It's not always about the latest technology or cutting-edge research. Sometimes, it's about filling gaps, addressing community needs, and putting people first. 🔍 Reflecting on Our Own Roles As professionals in the healthcare industry, this story prompts us to reflect on our roles. How can we contribute to similar positive changes in our communities? What can we learn from Hilltown Healthcare's approach to inclusivity and community involvement? 💭 Your Thoughts? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this inspiring story. How can we replicate such impactful community-driven healthcare models in other areas? What can we do to support initiatives like Hilltown Healthcare? #CommunityHealthcare #InclusiveHealthcare #PrimaryCare

🚑 Addressing the Critical Shortage of Primary Care Doctors 🌐 The recent CBS News article highlights the challenges faced by primary care doctors, from increasing workloads to financial strains. 👩⚕️ The shortage of primary care physicians is a critical concern that directly impacts the accessibility and quality of healthcare. As we celebrate progress, it's essential to acknowledge the hurdles our healthcare heroes face daily. 🚑 Primary care physicians are the cornerstone of community health, yet they face increasing pressures—juggling heavy workloads, navigating financial constraints, and managing the intricate balance between patient care and administrative duties. 💡 This calls for collaborative efforts from policymakers, healthcare organizations, and the community to develop sustainable solutions. It's not just about the numbers; it's about ensuring that our healthcare providers can deliver the best care possible without undue burdens. 🌟 How can we address this shortage and create an environment where primary care doctors thrive? https://lnkd.in/gHCtE__t #Healthcare #PrimaryCare #HealthcareHeroes #MedicalCommunity #HealthEquity #OneYearAnniversary #KnowledgeSharing #CommunityEngagement #Compensation #PhysicianCompensation

Ready to enhance your understanding of the NHS as a Salaried GP? Our comprehensive blog post is here to guide you through it all! Explore key insights and gain a deeper appreciation for the healthcare system. Click to start reading: https://lnkd.in/eFMeR-96 #SalariedGP #NHS #MedicalEducation

Understanding Healthcare Levels and Services: A Critical Gap Among Healthcare Workers We dedicate our lives to caring for others, yet for many healthcare professionals a significant gap often exists in our understanding of the different levels of care and the services available within our own healthcare systems. This lack of knowledge can hinder our ability to guide patients effectively, making it challenging for them to navigate their healthcare journey. According to the National Institute of Health, in the coming decades, the population of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to grow significantly. This shift will lead to a higher number of older adults living with chronic illnesses and disabilities, necessitating an increased demand for healthcare providers and resources to meet their needs effectively. From primary to tertiary care, and including specialized settings like Assisted Living Facilities, Long-Term Care, and Hospice Care, each level serves a unique purpose in the continuum of health services. However, many of us may not be fully aware of the specific roles and resources associated with each level, potentially leading to missed opportunities for patient advocacy and education. For instance, understanding the differences between assisted living and long-term care can significantly impact how we counsel patients and families about the best options for their specific needs. Similarly, a thorough knowledge of hospice care is essential for guiding patients and their loved ones through the complexities of end-of-life care. It's crucial that we, as healthcare workers, take the initiative to deepen our understanding of these distinctions. By doing so, we can better support our patients in becoming informed healthcare consumers, ensuring they receive the right care at the right time. Let’s start the conversation. How can we bridge this knowledge gap within our teams? What resources or training have you found helpful in understanding the various levels of healthcare services beyond the PCP and Acute Care settings?  How do you feel your patients might benefit by the expansion your knowledge base of Assisted Living, Long-Term Care, and Hospice? Share your thoughts and experiences below! #Healthcare #PatientCare #ProfessionalDevelopment #HealthcareEducation #AssistedLiving #LongTermCare #HospiceCare

If only our country is ready for such reforms in healthcare...

We See You, Healthcare Heroes: Addressing the Challenges We Face Together We, the medical professionals across hospitals, skilled nursing, dental, and mental health settings, are the backbone of a system designed to heal and care. Yet, beneath the surface, we are often battling unseen struggles: Staffing Shortages: We are stretched thin, running on fumes, constantly feeling the weight of understaffing. This constant pressure takes a toll on our ability to deliver the level of care we strive for. Lack of Teamwork and Collaboration: Siloed systems and communication breakdowns create friction and hinder our ability to work cohesively as a team, ultimately impacting patient outcomes. Difficulty Scheduling Appointments: Overbooked schedules make it a constant battle to provide timely access to care, leaving both patients and providers frustrated. Overworked and Stressed: The relentless demands and emotional weight of our work lead to burnout, jeopardizing our well-being and potentially compromising patient safety. These challenges are not simply roadblocks – they are a reflection of a system in need of a course correction. But amidst these struggles, there is hope. We can, and must, work towards a healthcare system that: Prioritizes Comprehensive Care: We need a system that recognizes the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, ensuring all patients receive holistic, coordinated care. Focuses on the Underserved: Those most in need often face the greatest barriers to quality healthcare. We must advocate for equitable access and address the disparities that exist. Embraces Innovation: Technology and streamlined processes can alleviate administrative burdens, optimize scheduling, and free up valuable time for patient interaction. This is not just about fixing a broken system – it's about reigniting the passion that brought us into this field. We are driven by a shared desire to heal, to serve, and to make a difference. Let's work together, across disciplines and institutions, to create a healthcare environment that truly supports our ability to thrive, not just survive. We deserve to feel empowered, valued, and equipped to deliver the exceptional care our patients deserve. Together, we can build a healthcare system that reflects the unwavering commitment and compassion that defines each and every one of us.

Our healthcare will mirror how we pay for it. 𝗦𝗗𝗢𝗛 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝘀. (Over $1B) I did a deep dive. And since Jan 1st, Medicare can pay an extra $24.93 to do an SDOH risk assessment. (e.g. Does the patient have food at home? Do they have access to transportation to get medical care?) 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 #1 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 If all 33,948,778 patients on Original Medicare received two assessments per year at the reduced national payment amount of $18.97, that's $1,288,016,637.32 per year. Medicare Enrollment Numbers https://lnkd.in/eMqfKRd9. #2 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘃𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗠𝗔𝗖 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 / 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆) SDOH Assessment CMS Fee Schedule (same as the image below, requires clicking accept) https://lnkd.in/eDakAh7a #3 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗠𝗦 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱/𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹. e.g. A non-participating physician at an outpatient clinic in Santa Clara County, CA (MAC Locality 0111209), can charge for up to $27.18 for the SDOH assessment. Medicare would pay $24.88. The patient would be responsible for the difference, $2.30. List of MAC Localities (0000000 is the national payment amount) https://lnkd.in/eaSDzikp Explanation of Limiting Charges https://lnkd.in/eGg6rrtS Explanation from the National Council on Aging https://lnkd.in/e8F2KgCB #4 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿. CMS Summary on SDOH Assessments https://lnkd.in/eF9kRPyp The assessment can only be done by a physician, PA, NP, nurse, or other clinician supervised by a physician. It can only be conducted every 6 months. A standardized, evidence-based assessment must be used, like alvee. #5 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂 Thanks to Nicole Cook for teaching me more about this space and to Saumitra Thakur for reconnecting us. Valerie Kozak, this is what I was referring to yesterday. I'm glad to hear that Corewell Health prioritized this aspect of patient care. Avery Haller, this reminds me of the work you've done in this space too.

A recent report highlights the urgent need for reform in primary care compensation. Despite the critical role of primary care physicians in our healthcare system, significant pay disparities persist compared to specialists. This imbalance is steering new doctors away from primary care, exacerbating the shortage and affecting patient access. As healthcare professionals, it's crucial we advocate for fair compensation to ensure a robust primary care system. It's not just about pay; it's about maintaining the foundation of our healthcare services. Let's discuss how we can push for meaningful changes in healthcare policy. 👉 Read more about the challenges and proposed solutions below. #HealthcareReform #PrimaryCare #MedicalEducation #HealthPolicy

This is a great article! SNF's must create niche's that payors want! Like Bariatrics, Vents, In House Dialysis and more. The article touches on this point as well: "" It’s also important for long-term care operators to seek niches. “You have to identify gaps in care within different networks, different cities, different hospital systems,” McGuinness advised. “It may be hospice, it may be home care, it may be ventilator care or memory care in different markets. You take your four or five buildings in a geographic area and meet those needs for the referral sources.” "" #managedcare #snf #nursinghome

I wonder how the public would view private #healthcare if they were able to receive copies of all invoices related to healthcare services delivered to them and their families? Invoices for Doctor visits, Doctor referrals, clinical and diagnostic testing, surgeries (major and minor), hospital stays, emergency room visits and many more services. What about conditions that require ongoing care like diabetes, cancer, dialysis, heart disease, transplants etc.? What about pregnancy & neonatal care along with all the possible associated complexities? What about unforeseen circumstances such as falls, injuries from car accidents, work-related injuries etc., all of which may require long extended stays in hospital? What about treatments for lifestyle choices like smoking, obesity, alcoholism, drug addiction etc. resulting from personal life decisions? These are only a few examples of the potential for contact with the healthcare system in our lifetimes. Many of us will not appreciate the costs associated with healthcare until we get sick. Lifetime costs of healthcare are far greater than what most of us could ever afford. In fact, most of us would become bankrupt, if a serious medical event occurred in our lives and we had to pay for the necessary care. An itemized invoice would likely be a stark reminder that publicly funded healthcare works; that it is not in crisis as our leaders would have you believe. It functions well; however, its ability to service our needs is not related to system malfunction, but government malfunction because of systematic funding starvation at each step in the healthcare process. Governments have decided that healthcare is less of a priority than other items on their agendas. This is the reason why governments attempt to unload certain aspects of healthcare on the private sector which is at a far higher cost to the public than what is provided for in the publicly funded healthcare system, which is to be delivered under the #Canadahealthact. For them, it seems to be okay to throw money at the private healthcare system, but not okay to fund the public system at a much lower cost. It is also okay to waste money such as the $4.8M offered to entice Napanee to go along with the development of a new gas plant. Where are the priorities? Once again it is fair to ask, where are all the not-for profit healthcare professionals who should be defending publicly funded healthcare? This includes Doctors, Nurses, Hospital CEOs, Colleges of Physicians, and Medical Associations to name a few. They know first-hand how healthcare services have been starved of funding. Those that were once very vocal on healthcare issues seem to have capitulated or become silent. They may even have been silenced because of government pushback. On the other hand, there may be a certain segment of healthcare professionals who like the idea of profit and have decided to sit back and let the system morph.