Tom Yackel MD MPH MS MBA’s Post

We learned with some specificity why Optum acquired the outpatient #mentalhealth providers Refresh Mental Health and CARE Counseling. At the time of the Refresh deal, we learned about some vague ambitions about holistic, value-based care. Optum blew off any request for comment about the CARE deal. But earlier this week, the new president of Optum said outright that the reason for the acquisitions was an attempt to address one of the most challenging hurdles facing this slice of #behavioralhealth. #addictiontreatment #managedcare #healthcare #healthinsurance https://lnkd.in/eNhtdwfQ

Attentions Home Health Agencies, Nursing Homes and Behavioral Health Organizations! There is a Workforce Stabilization Scholarship available. Home Health Agencies, Nursing Homes and Behavioral Health Organizations have struggled with staffing issues since Covid.  In an effort to help these provider types, Simply Healthcare is partnering with MissionCare to help providers stabilize their workforce which in turn will enhance the care given to patients. The goal is to help providers reduce turnover, increase employee satisfaction, and a create positive workplace culture.  Eligible providers will gain access to Coachup Care, which is a platform designed to tackle these types of issues. To apply and learn more about the program, please follow this link https://lnkd.in/ekcdxEQA What workforce challenges is your organization facing? What types of programs are being used? Leave us a comment below and share your experience. #homehealth #managedcare #providers #postacute

While the urgency to fill positions might tempt senior care centers to prioritize quantity over quality, this approach risks exacerbating the existing challenges. It is crucial to acknowledge that the senior care industry demands a level of expertise and empathy that goes beyond mere technical competence. In my latest article in MedCity News, I discuss innovative strategies that not only attract candidates but also ensure the recruitment of individuals who possess the unique blend of compassion, skills, and dedication required in this demanding field. https://lnkd.in/eBbhZ2nt #seniorcare

Community Health Patient Experience Summit: Session Spotlight. Join Tena Barnes Carraher, Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation and Felicia Hipp, DNP, RN, CPC, Director of Organizational Effectiveness at Blue Ridge Health for "Building a Culture of Recognition: Retain and Attract Talent." They’re sitting down to talk about: • The power of thanking nurses and staff • How to turn positive patient feedback into a morale-boosting, celebratory tool • The crucial role of leadership to get employees engaged and inspired • The impact building a culture of recognition can have on an organization You’re not going to want to miss this insightful conversation! See the full agenda and save your spot at the Summit in the link below in the comments. #CommunityHealth #PatientExperience #SummitSpotlight #NurseRecognition #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipImpact #OrganizationalEffectiveness #CultureOfRecognition #TalentRetention #HealthcareLeadership #PositiveFeedback #MoraleBoost #CelebrateSuccess #NursingAppreciation #StaffRecognition #EmployeeInspiration

Under the evolving Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), home health agencies' management of Low Utilization Payment Adjustments (LUPAs) has become more intricate. Determining LUPA thresholds now hinges on five key factors: 1. Episode timing (Early or Late), 2. Admission Source (Institutional or Community), 3. Clinical Grouping, 4. Functional Level, and 5. Comorbidity Adjustment. These factors culminate in a dynamic LUPA threshold for each 30-day payment period, requiring meticulous visit management to avoid underutilization penalties. To navigate these complexities effectively, the Care Coordinations Platform offers an essential solution. Our proprietary Care Pathways to Success enables agencies to align care planning with specific clinical characteristics, ensuring adherence to the varying LUPA thresholds. This approach fosters efficient OASIS coding practices and promotes strategic management of care episodes. 5 Key strategies to consider: 1. Interdisciplinary Communication: Ensuring all team members are informed of the patient-specific LUPA thresholds and integrating all billable visits to meet these thresholds. 2. Patient Engagement: Coordinating with patients and their families to avoid scheduling conflicts that could lead to missed visits. 3. Coordinating Coverage: Preparing staff to reschedule visits promptly and have backup clinicians available to maintain the required visit frequency. 4. Caution with Visit Tapering: Be vigilant in the second 30-day payment period to avoid unintentionally triggering a LUPA. 5. Consistent Collaboration and Communication: Maintaining interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for avoiding LUPAs under PDGM. The Care Coordinations Platform’s unique clinical pathway development is pivotal for home health agencies. It provides a structured approach to patient care under PDGM, ensuring efficient management of LUPA thresholds and thereby reducing the risk of underutilization penalties. This strategic approach is vital for home healthcare agencies aiming to deliver high-quality, coordinated care while maintaining financial viability in the evolving healthcare landscape. What kind of support or resources would be most beneficial in addressing these challenges and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of LUPA management within your organization?" #HealthcareLeadership #CareCoordination #HomeHealthCare #PDGM #PatientCenteredCare #HealthTechInnovation #TelehealthAdvancements #HealthcarePolicy #InterdisciplinaryCare #DataSecurityHealthcare #SustainableHealthcare #MedicalStaffDevelopment #PatientEngagement #HealthcareSuccessMetrics #FutureOfHealthcare

As the home healthcare industry experiences unprecedented growth, it's crucial for professionals to stay ahead of emerging trends. Here are some key developments shaping the future of home-based care: Market Expansion: The industry is projected to grow from $100 billion to over $150 billion by 2029, driven by an aging population preferring care at home. Workforce Challenges: Addressing caregiver shortages remains a priority, with agencies focusing on improved wages, benefits, and career development opportunities. Technological Integration: Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and AI-assisted care management are becoming integral to service delivery, enhancing efficiency and patient outcomes. Diversification of Services: Agencies are expanding their offerings to include specialized care like IV therapy, wound care, and end-of-life support, as well as companionship services to combat senior isolation. Cultural Competence: There's a growing emphasis on hiring multilingual professionals to serve an increasingly diverse patient population. As healthcare leaders, how are you preparing your organizations for these shifts in home-based care? #HomeHealthcare #HealthcareTrends #ElderCare #HealthTech

In this article about healthcare workers who witness care disparities, the author discusses training for staff on how to spot disparities in patient care and suggests anonymous ways to report it if a team member witnesses a coworker discriminating against a patient. We are called to do better in healthcare, and we must hold our fellow team members accountable and to a higher standard. Leadership shadowing and rounding should include probing questions if something in the care plan is lacking. There should be provider peer reviews and a zero-tolerance approach if treatment is altered or withheld without a clear medical reason. We have to support the frontline workers and encourage them to speak up against this if they see it. #HealthEquity #PopulationHealth #leadership Article credit: usatoday, Ken Alltucker

The human body isn’t fragmented so why is our healthcare system? Over the past few months connecting with folks interested in joining forces with Togather I have learned about several organizations I had no idea existed but are doing incredible work. I’ve connected with organizations dedicated to justice in occupational therapy, nursing, medicine, and genetics. And while having these spaces to connect with those from our disciplines is critical, I find myself confused as to why there aren’t many interdisciplinary spaces. Why is it that when we know that collaborative healthcare practices reduce health inequities and improve the quality of care for all, we are left so segmented? Even in our more progressive spaces. If we don’t have spaces to grow professionally together, we aren’t learning how to communicate with each other when it comes time to serve patients collaboratively. Injustice thrives on separation. We’ve seen this throughout history. Diversity of ideas and identities pushes forward progress, improves businesses, and gets us closer to liberation. So while there are challenges building across disciplines, I am committed to investing in interdisciplinary community spaces. Who is with me? And since community is an additive endeavor, who is already doing this work I should connect with? #interdisciplinary #healthcareonlinkedin #healthtech #collaborativecare #integratedcare #healthequity --- 🔔 Hi, I'm Tesiah! As a nurse practitioner, doula, and lactation counselor I've experienced firsthand the challenges of provider burnout and moral injury. So I set out to change things for myself and others. ✅ Togather is on a mission to support, connect, and educate healthcare providers working towards health justice. If you're a healthcare provider looking for any or all of the above through the values of #collectivecare and #joy--then book a meeting with me to chat more!

We love Case Studies. What better way is there to find out "what can these guys do for me" than by seeing what we did for someone else? Would you like a small sample of a recent one? Here are some of the results from a case study focusing on an Adult Acute and Crisis Mental Health directorate providing inpatient services to their local adult population: • Optimised Capacity and Demand Alignment:  We achieved a close alignment between capacity and demand, with only a 3.6% variance, ensuring resources were effectively utilised across both clinical and non-clinical activities. This precise matching indicates a more efficient allocation of resources, optimising service delivery. • Enhanced Inpatient Ward Coverage: Addressing a critical challenge, we identified that four inpatient wards were operating below the recommended 20 hours of cover per week. By recalculating and optimising consultant ward round activities, we ensured that inpatient demand would be met more consistently, preventing service shortfalls and improving patient care. • Refined Supporting Professional Activities (SPA): Our analysis revealed an excess capacity for SPA by 10PAs per week. We refined the allocation of SPA time by standardising it to 1.5PAs per Consultant, aligning with the Trust’s future goals and job planning policies. This adjustment ensures that non-clinical activities are more accurately represented and managed. Want to know more? If you'd like to read the full case study or find out how you can work with SARD to achieve the results and outcomes 𝐲𝐨𝐮 want, simply get in touch for a conversation. Here at SARD JV, we start by listening - [email protected] #nhs #nhsworkforce #mentalhealth #planning #results Professor Joe McDonald NHS NHS England

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 is paving the way for permanent telehealth coverage rules, bringing transformative changes to the healthcare landscape. At Deer Oaks, we're thrilled about the potential this holds for improved access to telemental services. The impact extends beyond traditional healthcare settings, reaching senior living operators who can now make more referrals for residents in need of mental health support. This is particularly significant as the prevalence of dementia and depression among residents is a pressing concern, as highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. Deer Oaks is committed to leveraging telehealth innovations to enhance mental health services for individuals in various care settings, including senior living communities. As we embrace these advancements, we look forward to contributing to better overall well-being and care outcomes. https://lnkd.in/g8mYvBct