Richter ShareSource Blog

The time has now arrived for providers to submit their Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) staffing and census data.

In the Long Term Post-Acute Care (LTPAC) provider community, Administrators hold the ultimate accountability for the operations of their organization. Of course, their focus is always on the delivery of quality care. Many Administrators I know have a clinical background of some sort – the better for understanding and managing a holistic approach to patient care.  But at the same time, they must also focus on efficiencies and fiscal management – as a part of this, Administrators have to regularly review Accounts Receivable (AR). A simple set of touchpoints can help the Administrator keep up to date and ensure that the financial operations are doing well.

The last quarter of the year presents an ideal opportunity to review several key operational areas for your Home Health agency in preparation for a new year ahead. As you begin the planning for the year ahead, take the time to review some of the following:

capitation: a payment method for health care services. The physician, hospital, or other health care provider is paid a contracted rate for each member assigned, referred to as “per-member-per-month” rate, regardless of the number of nature of services provided.

I’m not sure about you, but I never had plans to get old.  I still rock out to The Who singing “My Generation…hope I die before I get old.”  I’m a part of the generation that decided that 40 is the new 30, and then 50 is the new 40.  Next year I will plant my feet firmly on age 60, and will hope that it’s the new 50!  As much as we may try to stay young, the truth is that we can’t stop the clock, and time does march on, and those of us in the Baby Boomer generation (born Post-World War II between 1946 – 1964) are sliding head-first into retirement.

Long before our “partnership” with PointClickCare®  was formalized, we at Richter Healthcare Consultants were both a client, and end users of PointClickCare on behalf of our mutual clientele. PointClickCare burst onto the scene in our area in the early 2000’s and we very quickly identified the benefits of the web-based application for our clients. Over the next few years, as we continued to assist Long Term Post-Acute Care (LTPAC) providers with the adoption of the PointClickCare software, we regularly communicated with the folks in support and account management on behalf of our clients. In 2008, we turned this de facto partnership into the real thing.  Since then, we have successfully implemented PointClickCare in well over 1000 facilities. At first, we were focused on financial (Admin) and GL/AP implementation, but 5 years ago we added clinical staff to fully round out our services to clients. Our clinicians come to us with years of experience in LTPAC, having been MDS Coordinators, Directors of Nursing and Staff Development, and Home Care Coordinators.  They are the best at what they do – and we are lucky to have them on our team.

Today’s healthcare technology is moving forward at light speed. The new hardware/software of yesterday is being outshined by the latest and greatest in new medical devices and treatments. There is an assortment of new and exciting products available for the LTPAC setting. I have chosen some of my favorites in remote patient monitoring, resident tracking devices, telemedicine

All levels of Long Term Post-Acute Care (LTPAC), including Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), Senior Living communities, Home Care, etc. must be able to substantiate they are providing the care required by their patients.  Way back when I was a nursing assistant there was a constant chorus of “if it’s not documented, it was not done” and then in nursing school and while working as a nurse the chorus became even louder.  

The Management of Petty Cash in a nursing facility or assisted living residence is often assigned to the front desk receptionist, Activity Department Head or Business Office Manager.  Petty cash is essentially a small amount of money used for expenditures where it is not necessary to utilize a check. Expenditures in a senior living community may be for items such as activity Department supplies (such as the monthly birthday cake for a resident party), a quick trip to the grocery store, gas for the facility bus, maintenance supplies that could not be ordered in advance, etc.

The foundation of a respected consulting firm like Richter Healthcare Consultants goes beyond our service lines and processes. We also provide a foundation of responsiveness and responsibility. This is true not just in our actions on behalf of clients but also in our actions on behalf of our community, both near and far.