The implementation of new survey tools will help create consistent performance benchmarks in 2019
LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 10, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NRC Health, the leader in supporting and advancing state quality incentive programs and associations across the U.S., today announced a new partnership with TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, to improve resident satisfaction, quality of care, and quality of life in Medicaid certified nursing homes across the state.
Strengthening Tennessee’s commitment to providing high quality, person-centered care and to system-wide payment reform, TennCare will leverage NRC Health’s resident, family and staff satisfaction survey tools to implement standardized measurement methodologies within its contracted nursing facilities as part of the QuILTSS (Quality Improvement in Long-Term Services and Supports) initiative. The goal is to measure quality in ways that most impact the day-to-day lives of nursing home residents, and to align Medicaid payment for nursing facility care with person-centered outcomes in order to help drive quality improvement.
“Part of our mission at NRC Health is to provide value-based solutions that support state quality incentive programs and improve quality and satisfaction,” said Rich Kortum, director of strategic partnerships at NRC Health. “TennCare has been recognized for its advanced Medicaid program, but as any good health care organization knows, the road to improvement is never-ending. We look forward to working together to further develop the program and help TennCare improve care for thousands of residents in Tennessee’s nursing facilities.”
“Measuring person-centered care practices and the satisfaction of residents, families, and staff in a consistent way will help us better understand the quality of care provided in nursing homes across Tennessee,” said Patti Killingsworth, TennCare Chief of Long-Term Services and Supports. “More importantly, it will help us drive quality improvement in ways that most impact people’s lives. We have worked closely with the Tennessee Health Care Association and other stakeholders to identify measurement tools and processes that will best meet the needs of the industry in Tennessee and the goals of the QuILTSS initiative. We look forward to working with NRC Health and are incredibly grateful to all of our partners for their time, commitment, and invaluable input.”
The survey process for all participating Tennessee nursing facilities will take place in January and February. Through the partnership and resulting survey feedback, nursing facilities in Tennessee will also gain access to improved resources and educational opportunities, as well as extended access to NRC Health’s premier healthcare network.
About TennCare
TennCare is the state of Tennessee’s Medicaid program which provides health insurance to approximately 1.3 million low-income Tennesseans including pregnant women, children, caretaker relatives of dependent children and older adults, and adults with disabilities. With a satisfaction rating above 90 percent since 2009 TennCare provides health insurance, including long-term services and supports, through the use of managed care.
About NRC Health
For 37 years, NRC Health (NASDAQ: NRC) has been committed to achieving human understanding and bringing healthcare organizations closer to their customers than ever before by illuminating and improving the key moments that define an experience and build trust. Guided by their uniquely empathic heritage, proprietary methods, skilled associates, and holistic approach, NRC Health helps its customers design experiences that exceed expectations, inspire loyalty, and improve well-being among patients, residents, physicians, nurses, and staff.
For more information, email [email protected], or visit www.nrchealth.com.
Press Contact
Jennifer Lyle
Public Relations for NRC Health
[email protected]
