The Department of Human Services (DHS) sent to all Minnesota nursing facilities this week a copy of the latest request for proposal (RFP) for the Nursing Facility Performance-based Incentive Payment Program, known as PIPP.  The RFP, along with a powerpoint background appendix and a flyer identifying training opportunities, was sent in the mail and will also be posted soon on the DHS website.

Here is a bit of background:  Effective July 1, 2006, nursing facilities may contract with the Department of Human Services to earn performance-incentive Medical Assistance payments of up to five percent of the operating payment rate.  The incentive payments are time-limited rate adjustments.  The Department will implement the fifth round of performance-based incentive payments on or after July 1, 2011.  Funding available to implement new projects under this provision for fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 is equal to approximately $2.2 million (state share).

The Performance-Based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) gives facilities the opportunity to undertake innovative quality improvement projects focused on tangible outcomes.  PIPP strives to:

• Support efforts to improve quality, increase efficiency, and/or shift resources from institutional to community care;
• Demonstrate how evidence-based practices can improve the quality and efficiency of care;
• Encourage providers to innovate and take risks;
• Foster collaboration and shared learning both within and between organizations;
• Establish a business case for investment in better quality from the perspective of multiple stakeholders – Medicaid, providers, and consumers; and
• Identify the key elements of successful quality improvement efforts, costs and benefits, and how they might be disseminated across the nursing home industry.

Tentative Implementation Schedule

• November 8, 2010 – RFP provided to facilities
• December 2010 – Statewide RFP Training Sessions
• February 14, 2011 – Proposals due by 4 p.m.
• February 2011 – Phase I review of proposals
• March - April 2011 – Phase II review and selection of proposals
• May - July 2011 – Negotiate contracts
• 10/1/11-9/30/12 – Typical incentive payments
• 9/30/12 or after – Payments end (for one-year proposals)
• Round 6 will occur on approximately the same annual schedule starting with the issuance of a Request for Proposals in October or November 2011.

DHS has developed a series of team workshops to help organizations prepare and implement their proposals.  You and your team responsible for preparing and implementing the proposal are encouraged to attend one of the following team workshops.  Workshops will be a combined lecture format and break-out sessions for one-to-one technical assistance.  These workshops are a great introduction to PIPP; after being offered in the 2010 round of proposals, the number of facilities accepted into the program for the first time more than tripled compared to the previous year.

Team workshops will be held from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM each day.  Snacks will be provided, and lunch is on your own from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

December 1
Best Western Kelly Inn
100 4th Avenue South
Saint Cloud, MN 56301

December 3
Holiday Inn – Saint Paul East
2201 Burns Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55119

December 6
Ramada Hotel and Conference Center
1517 16th Street SW
Rochester, MN 55902

December 10
Ramada Marshall
1500 East College Drive
Marshall, MN 56258

December 14
Hampton Inn
1019 Paul Bunyan Drive
Bemidji, MN 56601

December 15
Holiday Inn Hotel
200 West 1st Street
Duluth, MN 55802

CEU certificates will be provided.  There is no fee for the writer’s workshops.  However, registration is required, as space is limited.  To register, please e-mail Bev Milotzky at:
DHS.NFRP.CostReport@state.mn.us.

When registering, please indicate the date and location you are planning to attend.  Please include the number of participants that will be attending in your e-mail.  You will receive an e-mail confirmation that your registration was received.  Please register no later than 5 days before the class date.

Questions/comments about the Performance-based Incentive Payment Program should be directed to Jan Garard at (651) 431-2274, jan.garard@state.mn.us or Valerie Cooke at (651) 431-2263, valerie.cooke@state.mn.us.

Can’t think of a good program to develop for application for these funds?  Here is one idea:  The Minnesota Area Geriatric Education Center on Aging (MAGEC) is moving forward with Fairview to offer the first Palliative Care Leadership Training for Long Term Care through their MAGEC Fellowship.  More details will be forthcoming about this 40-hour fellowship; however, they are asking that you keep this in mind as a potential PIPP project.  We will be forwarding a summary and application form to the membership when they are completed within the next few weeks.

Patti Cullen, CAE
952.851.2487
pcullen@careproviders.org

Our Sponsors

Resources