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CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, (608) 266-1683
WISCONSIN CHOSEN FOR NATIONAL NURSING HOME
DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Initiative Will Focus on Lowering Medicare Costs
Through Improved Care
MADISON—The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces
today that Wisconsin has been selected to participate in a national
demonstration project designed to improve care and quality of life for
residents of nursing homes, as well as reduce Medicare costs. The Medicare
Nursing Home Value Based Purchasing Demonstration, run by the Center for
Medicare and Medicaid Services, is designed to include one hundred
Wisconsin nursing homes that will participate on a volunteer basis.
“The decision of the federal government to include Wisconsin in this
new initiative is just another indication that our state is seen as a
national leader in the area of health care reform,” said DHS Secretary
Karen Timberlake. “This demonstration project focuses on nursing home
practices that increase quality of care and reduce costs by avoiding more
expensive procedures.”
The demonstration project will measure quality performance in a number
of clinical areas, as well as measure staffing ratios, which have been
correlated with better clinical outcomes for residents and higher
satisfaction levels among residents and their families. By improving
quality performance in these areas, fewer residents will require episodes
of care in hospitals, which will in turn save Medicare dollars. These
Medicare savings will be paid out to demonstration nursing homes with
fewer hospital days when compared to other like nursing homes that are not
part of the demonstration.
“Nursing home pay-for-performance initiatives like this demonstration
project could be a key component in our continual efforts to improve
quality for residents and reduce health care costs. We are hopeful that
the lessons we learn in the Medicare demonstration project can be used in
our state Medicaid program to allow us to continue to improve care and cut
costs for Wisconsin taxpayers,” said Timberlake.
The four demonstration states chosen are Arizona, Mississippi, New York
and Wisconsin. DHS will work with the nursing home trade associations,
Wisconsin Health Care Association, and Wisconsin Homes and Services for
the Aging to make the demonstration a success in Wisconsin.
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Last Revised: March 26, 2009 |
