Pursuing Health Equity Through Regulation & Reimbursement

Overview:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made health equity the first pillar of its latest strategic plan. The agency is committed to “designing, implementing, and operationalizing policies and programs [to] eliminate avoidable differences in health outcomes experienced by people who are disadvantaged or underserved.”

During this webinar, PYA Principal Martie Ross and Senior Manager Kathy Reep will explain those policies and programs announced by CMS to date and discuss their immediate and future impact on providers. Specific topics will include –

• CMS’ definition of health equity.
• New health-equity-related quality reporting requirements.
• Screening patients for health-related social needs.
• Stratification of key performance indicators.
• Future impact of Z-codes on reimbursement.
• Incorporating health equity into providers’ strategic plans.

Presenter:

Kathy Reep, Senior Manager, PYA PC; & Martie Ross, Consulting Principal, PYA PC

Kathy Reep has more than three decades of leadership experience in the healthcare industry. Her hospital setting expertise is in compliance, financial advisory, reimbursement, and managed care. Kathy has helped with Medicare, Medicaid, workers’ compensation, reimbursement, and many other complex programs and issues. She is a thought leader and provider educator, helping hospitals navigate regulations and the impact of change.

Prior to joining PYA, Kathy served as Vice President of Financial Services with the Florida Hospital Association. She also held longtime hospital positions, as well as roles working in patients’ business, internal audit, systems management, diagnostic-related group management, and as a reimbursement director.

Following a successful two-decade career as a healthcare transactional and regulatory attorney, Martie Ross now serves as a trusted advisor to providers navigating the ever-expanding maze of healthcare regulations. Her deep and wide understanding of new payment and delivery systems and public payer initiatives is an invaluable resource for providers seeking to strategically position their organizations for the future. Martie identifies opportunities and develops realistic plans of action where others only see obstacles.

Martie synthesizes complex regulatory schemes and explains in straightforward and practical terms their impact on providers. She has made hundreds of presentations to professional and community organizations on a broad range of industry topics. Martie provides dynamic, customized educational and planning sessions for directors, executives, and managers, and employee compliance training programs.