I-SNP Learning Opportunity

Medicare Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs) give an opportunity for nursing homes to provide optimal care to residents while benefiting from a share of savings that accrues from lower costs and a reduction in avoidable hospital admissions. This model has evolved over the years from its earlier "Evercare" incarnation but continues to facilitate arrangements that benefit the resident and can boost revenue for the nursing home and the managed care entity that operates the I-SNP. These Medicare win-win arrangements are among the proven value-based payment options in which nursing homes may engage.

These arrangements work well in some homes and less so in others, depending on the frequency of hospitalizations, a home's Medicare Advantage rate, its Medicare Part B utilization patterns, and other considerations. Members should be aware whether they are a good candidate for an I-SNP partnership and ensure that any I-SNP agreement is appropriately structured.

To help nursing home providers become more familiar with or review these dynamics, LeadingAge NY is offering an audio conference titled "Institutional Special Needs Plans (ISNPs): Clinical and Financial Considerations" on March 1, 2017. The program will be presented by Marc Zimmet, who did a similar presentation at our CFO Council Meeting in the fall of 2016, which was very well-received. Registration information is here, and continuing education credits are available. We urge members to take advantage of this and other I-SNP learning opportunities so that they fully understand this potential for better care coordination and additional revenue.

Contact: Darius Kirstein, dkirstein@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8841