Value-based care (VBC) is a model created by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. In SNFs, aligning with this model can extend benefits to your team and patient population. With the help of a SNFist, achieving VBC is within reach.
The SNFist model of care is designed to support the unique requirements of SNF patient populations. Rather than a hospitalist’s generalized approach to medicine, a SNFist specializes in rehabilitative and geriatric medicine. These physicians lead care teams to ensure effective communication among all providers and deliver more cohesive, coordinated care.
This model also involves a more personalized approach to medicine. SNFists typically spend more time with residents to understand their care needs and develop care plans that constantly evolve to adapt to their conditions. These elements work together to align with value-based care.
VBC hinges on two core ideas — improving patient outcomes and reducing costs. Instead of a fee-for-service model that reimburses providers based on the treatments provided, VBC focuses on the results of care. Providers are reimbursed based on health improvements over number of treatments.
The pursuit of improved patient outcomes innately reduces costs. Rather than incentivizing multiple treatments — even when they aren’t necessary — VBC encourages care teams to find focused solutions based on a patient’s unique needs. This more personalized care also helps to reduce costs associated with rehospitalization.
Here are four tenets of a SNF that directly correlate to more value-based care.
The SNFist model aligns with value-based care through care coordination. SNFists ensure all providers understand the goals of care and contribute collectively to care plans. This care coordination aligns with higher-quality continuity of care and can lead to better outcomes in the long term, making it critical to VBC.
With a focus on tailored interventions, SNFists ensure every patient gets support designed around their unique needs. These interventions may depend on conditions or current health requirements, or they may revolve around social determinants and client personality. For example, a resident may need more accountability for taking medications to manage a chronic condition.
This personalized approach aligns with VBC’s emphasis on patient-centered care and has been shown to improve care outcomes.
Personalized care plans pave the way for increased patient engagement. As providers focus on learning about a patient’s needs, they can provide more education and keep them involved in their care decisions. This engagement supports higher patient satisfaction and more involvement in care following discharge. Following through with care plans after discharge is important for reducing hospitalizations and improving care outcomes.
SNFists track patient progress and update care plans through continuous monitoring and core data points. For example, SNFists will monitor blood sugar levels over time for patients with diabetes to track the effectiveness of care plans and current therapies. Outcome measurement promotes more proactive care when data shows little improvement and leads to more effective care over time.
The financial advantages of a SNFist model in the context of VBC include:
VBC reimbursement models work well with SNFs and SNFist-led care through practices that optimize reimbursements. While there are various reimbursement models under VBC approaches like bundled payments, SNFists can help facilities align with all of them. Bundled payments, for example, involve a lump sum payment for taking care of a condition, rather than reimbursing for each service or treatment provided.
With SNFists leading care coordination among providers, the overall condition is treated and reimbursed. Care teams can also collaborate to eliminate costly, unnecessary treatments.
The financial impact of value-based care in SNFs often connects to rehospitalization. Hospitalizations can occur for many reasons, but inattentive or disjointed care may increase the risk. SNFists lead the collaborative and focused care necessary to understand a patient’s conditions and care requirements — working together to reduce hospitalizations and their associated costs.
When your center is used to the fee-for-service model, transitioning to VBC may seem like a challenge. Adding a SNFist to your team can be the key to implementing value-based care. These physicians become trusted leaders at your facility who create more collaborative teams dedicated to improving care outcomes.
Introducing a SNFist at your center is only as meaningful as your staff training. Your SNFist will continue to lead the charge, while staff training establishes the processes and best practices to apply during care. Training and support can include:
CMS continues to push for VBC programs, making them a priority for many centers. While these requirements are motivating, the improvements to patient populations are also persuasive. Adding a SNFist to your staff is a valuable first step in implementing a VBC program.
With this leadership in place, your center will be better positioned for success. Care collaboration, continuous monitoring, and higher patient engagement help SNFs improve care outcomes and reap financial benefits.
At First Docs, we’ve seen this success firsthand with our physicians. When our providers fill the SNFist position at your center, you benefit from a focused, collaborative leader who understands the tenets of VBC and upholds them across your organization. Contact us today to learn more.