WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Health Care Association (AHCA), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and other long term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a statement today in response to the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) fiscal year 2023 final rule released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—including the parity adjustment of the Medicare Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM).
The following statement is attributable to AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson:
“We applaud CMS for today’s action that will increase the market basket and provide a two-year phase-in of the PDPM parity adjustment. These are essential for long term and post-acute care providers during this unprecedented workforce shortage and economic crisis. Thousands of providers, lawmakers, and stakeholders shared how a swift cut to Medicare would be detrimental to our nursing home residents and staff, and we are grateful that CMS listened and made the necessary changes. We greatly appreciate an overall increase to the Medicare program this coming fiscal year to help stabilize the profession and ensure our vulnerable residents have access to necessary, quality care.
“Meanwhile, we hope to address the historic labor crisis in nursing homes by working collaboratively with the Administration and other stakeholders. It is imperative that policymakers develop a comprehensive and supportive solution to help us recruit and retain more long term caregivers.”