NIC Notes

Insights in Seniors Housing & Care

Economic Trends

Preparing for Post-Acute Care Transformation

By: Beth Mace  |  November 09, 2016

David Gruber, MD, MBA, Director of Research and a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal Healthcare Industry Group, recently authored a timely, interesting, and provocative report entitled, “Post-acute Care: Disruptions (and Opportunities) Lurking Beneath the Surface.” The report provides a perspective on the rapidly aging U.S. population, the evolution of payment reform, and the implications of these changes on the post-acute care sector. Increasingly, payors, providers, and investors are being affected by the ongoing consolidation of hospitals, health systems, and physician practices, as well as the emergence of advanced payment models that are changing the competitive landscape among all post-acute care providers. The author writes: “With healthcare moving away from facility-centric reimbursement, the post-acute care sector is facing an inflection point that will produce clear ‘winners’ and ‘losers’. Our analysis is intended to help operators take the steps they need to stay competitive and continue serving patients, a necessity as the U.S. population ages and requires healthcare institutions that can meet a complex array of medical, behavioral, functional and social needs.”

Economic Trends  |  Workforce

At 161,000, October Job Gains Steady

By: Beth Mace  |  November 04, 2016

In the last major release of economic conditions prior to the presidential election on November 8, the Labor Department reported on Friday that nonfarm payrolls increased by 161,000 positions in October. Hiring has now averaged 181,000 new positions per month over the past 10 months and 176,000 per month over the past 3 months. The year-to-date average was down from average monthly gains of 229,000 in 2015. Nevertheless, since 2010, nearly 15 million jobs have been created. The October gain was less than the consensus projection of 175,000 positions.

Economic Trends  |  Regulatory Environment  |  Skilled Nursing  |  Workforce

GAO Investigation Reveals Margins Highest among For-Profits, Chains

By: Liz Liberman  |  November 02, 2016

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded an investigation into data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on nursing homes, staffing practices, and financial performance by recommending that CMS make such data more easily accessible by the public and ensure the data’s validity. In the course of the investigation, the GAO revealed insights about margins and operations relative to the skilled nursing properties’ organization types. The agency’s report underscores the need for more and better financial skilled nursing data in the industry.

Economic Trends  |  Regulatory Environment

CMS’ Drive for Innovation Has Operators Paying Attention

By: Liz Liberman  |  October 26, 2016

The push toward value-based purchasing by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) means significant changes for operators, said Ray Thivierge, a well-known and respected skilled nursing industry leader. He moderated “The Ever-Changing World of Skilled Nursing: The Impact of CMS Initiatives,” a session at the 2016 NIC Fall Conference in September. The session’s panelists were: Trissie Copses Farr, senior vice president, Formation Capital Healthcare Group, LLC; Jason Feuerman, SVP, Strategic Development & Managed Care, Genesis HealthCare, Inc.; Dr. David Gifford, Senior Vice President, Quality and Regulatory Affairs, American Health Care Association; and Nanci Wilson, vice president, R&D, Plum HealthCare Group, LLC.

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