Know Your Market, Know Your Value Proposition

Last October I wrote a post regarding the development of an Economic Value Analysis and how the same is important for marketing seniors housing and skilled nursing.  A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post regarding feasibility tests key to project success and targeted feasibility.  Later this year, in October at Leading Age’s annual conference … Read more

Hospice Census: Where’s It At?

A common question I am fielding has to do with the current “no growth” pattern of hospice census; in some cases, decline is more operative of the pattern.  Briefly, there are a number of factors at play, some recurring themes and some driven by more aggressive CMS intervention. The biggest culprit in the current no-growth … Read more

Current Policy Trends to Watch

In response to a recent series of questions from multiple segments of the health care and post-acute industry plus my own experiences within the landscape of providers and policy makers, I’ve summarized a current list of policy trends “pay attention to”. Medicare Cuts and the Super Committee: Nothing seems to loom larger or cast a … Read more

Post-Payment Reductions: Build a Revenue Model for Success

Not too long ago I wrote a post for SNFs regarding “what to do” in preparation for October 1 rate reductions.  Since then, I’ve fielded inquiries galore from all kinds of providers looking into a future that likely includes Medicare and certainly, Medicaid rate/payment reductions.  In most cases, the answer that I provide is clearly … Read more

SNFs: What to do Now for October 1

As known by now, a lot of change is occurring with Medicare effective 10/1.  Daily, I field questions from around the country regarding what exactly is happening and what if anything an SNF should do to “minimize” the impact.  To a certain extent, at least as far as reimbursement reductions go, it is difficult and ill-advised … Read more

Post-Acute Outlook Post Debt Ceiling, Post Medicare Rate Adjustments, Etc.

OK, the title is a bit wordy and trust me, I could have included more “posts” but I think I got the point across.  First, I’ll admit to having a crystal ball however, the picture I see is a bit like the first (and only) television set I remember having as a kid: Not in … Read more

Accountable Care Organizations: A Post-Acute Perspective

Suffice to say, I am behind in getting this post “out”.  My best intentions of a month or so ago were quickly dashed by other more pressing commitments. Nonetheless, I did read the proposed regulations as produced by the Department of Health and Human Services/CMS on April 7 and worked through a stack of research on the subject of Accountable … Read more

When and Why Projects Go Bad: Traps and Pitfalls to Avoid

Creeping slowly out of a period of recession where financing was nearly impossible to get, providers, operators and developers are starting to look favorably at new development and refreshment of existing properties and infrastructure.  Though capital is less than free flowing, money is entering back into the long-term care and seniors housing world fluidly enough … Read more

The Unraveling of the PPACA

OK readers and requesters, I haven’t gone, as Robert Frost wrote, into the “woods lovely, dark and deep” but I have been preoccupied by work and things familial.  Sadly, energy wanes as one focuses intently on the delicate balance that is juggling a frenetic work schedule, a mile of other professional commitments, travel, and family.  … Read more

Economic Value Analysis, Value Propositions and Marketing

Recently I gave a presentation on strategic pricing and senior housing (see Presentations page).  A key theme that I often refer to centers around the “value proposition” or in other words, the concept that pricing is both monetary and non-monetary and as such, the value proposition is about not only the price but also about … Read more