Feds’ value-based changes present ‘long overdue’ opening for SNFs

Payment and quality experts on Wednesday described extensive changes proposed for skilled nursing’s value-based purchasing program as “long overdue” and a way to “reset the playing field.”

In addition to updating the 30-day all-cause readmission measure, proposed new measures would account for operators’ performance on metrics related to nurse staffing turnover, discharge function, hospitalizations of long-stay residents and falls. Performance data would be phased in depending on the measure starting as early as FY2024, with incentives for some measures available as soon as FY2026. 

While delaying an announcement on its staffing rule, CMS touted its proposed new value-based staffing measure as a way to drive adequate staffing levels. 

Under the proposed rule, the Payroll-Based Journal staffing measure already reported to Care Compare would be reported for value-based purchasing purposes starting in fiscal 2024, with payment effects beginning in FY 2026.