Pay for Performance Stakeholder Mtg

 

On 10/27/11, the department convened a meeting of stakeholders to discuss the Legislative mandate found in ESSB5581, section 21, that the department report to the legislature by December 15, 2011, on the design of a system of skilled nursing facility quality incentive payments.  Adopting incentive payments linked to certain quality indicators is also known as pay for performance (P4P).

Many stakeholders expressed a concern that the economic timing was not right to launch a new component to the rate structure,and that there was insufficient time to vet possible indicators or measures, insufficient time to appropriately model the use of any indicators, insufficient funding. Also noted was the current statutory requirement that any funding designated for the purpose of a new P4P component must come solely from an increase in the Safety Net Assessment.  

Stakeholders agreed to continue to vet potential indicators while cautioning the department against making hasty recommendations or decisions.  The next scheduled meeting of this workgroup is 11/17/11.