Indiana Division of Aging and Indiana Medicaid to Reconvene the Clinical Expert Panel

In 2009 the Indiana Division of Aging (DA) assembled a Clinical Expert Panel to develop the current Value Based Purchasing (VBP) add-on to the NF Medicaid rate.  The VBP add-on is comprised of the Report Card Score, staffing retention and turnover measures, and nursing hours per resident day.  The DA has announced that is reconvening the Clinical Expert Panel to examine changes to the VPB components with a goal of implementation of those new components on July 1, 2016.  As previously reported the additional components may be clinical outcomes measures like the MDS QI/QMs and results from satisfaction surveys of residents, families, and staff that have been conducted and will continue in the coming years.  Other measures that look at rehospitalizations or preventable errors may also arise in the discussions.

IHCA will be engaged in this process as the next iteration of VBP is developed.  To date, three IHCA members have agreed to serve on the panel.  Mary Pankey, Director of Clinical Operations with CarDon & Associates, Teresa Wallace, Chief Nursing Officer with TLC Management, and Martha Herron, VP of Clinical Services with American Senior Communities.  IHCA expects one more person from the membership to be appointed to the panel.  Works is expected to begin sometime in January or February.