PATHTalks

Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) audits are increasing nationwide, and skilled nursing facilities are feeling the pressure. As CMS expands data-mining methods, focuses on MDS-driven risk areas, and tightens scrutiny on therapy, nursing documentation, and medical necessity, leaders must recognize that audit preparedness is an essential component of operational stability and financial integrity.
In a recent discussion with Pathway Health’s Vice President of Clinical Services, Colleen Tobe, several key themes emerged about why audits are escalating, where organizations remain vulnerable, and how leadership can build strong systems that reduce risk while supporting defensible documentation. Tune into today’s PATHTalks episode to learn more.
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 
 

In a rapidly shifting healthcare landscape, operational and clinical leaders are under more pressure than ever to optimize resources, improve outcomes, and demonstrate value. The intersection of regulatory oversight, data transparency, and value-based payment models has reshaped what it means to deliver quality care and how success is measured.
This engaging panel discussion with national MDS reimbursement leaders outlines key leadership focus areas to improve financial and clinical outcomes for their organization. Understanding how MDS and new data sources impact reimbursement, clinical, and public outcomes for your organization is key to sustainability and organizational success. 
Through this session, you will:
Identify key data and reimbursement trends that leaders need to know
Understand the data and reimbursement changes impacting long-term care organizations
Define three leadership strategies to improve reimbursement by assessing current practices for performance improvement.
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

In this episode of PATHTalks, Pathway Health COO Lisa Thomson connects with Betty Brunner, Senior Nurse Consultant and visionary nurse leader, for an inspiring conversation about The Transformational Impact of Nurse Leaders. 
Betty shares highlights from her remarkable career journey, reflecting on the pivotal moments, evolving responsibilities, and enduring values that have shaped her leadership approach. Together, they explore how today’s nurse leaders are not only guiding care teams but also driving system-wide change, influencing policy, and redefining the future of health care.
In this episode, we’ll explore:
The personal journey and inspiration behind a successful career in nursing leadership—and the moments that made a lasting impact
How the role of nurse leaders has evolved in recent years to drive meaningful change across care teams and healthcare systems
Key challenges today’s nurse leaders face compared to a decade ago, and how those challenges influence leadership effectiveness
The future of nursing leadership: essential emerging skills, evolving responsibilities, and opportunities to shape care delivery and health policy
Strategies for balancing administrative duties with a strong clinical presence and authentic connection to frontline staff
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

The upcoming round of updates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) State Operations Manual includes significant revisions such as Updated QSO, Effective Date, Advanced Copy, F-Tag consolidation, Updates to IG, Updates to Critical Element Pathways, and Survey Tool Updates. 
For long-term care leaders and team members, preparedness is key to ensure a successful implementation of the changes, including identifying the key changes in Appendix PP and the survey process and having a process to successfully implement the survey changes.
Our latest  PATHTalks episode covers an insightful panel discussion where Pathway Health’s Colleen Toebe, MSN, CWCN, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, DNS MT, VP of Clinical Services, and Nancy Foss, RN, BSN, Director of Regulatory and Consulting Services, share key insights, preparation strategies and leadership tools to guide leaders throughout the preparation process. Tune in!
 
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Value-Based Purchasing Program awards incentive payments to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to encourage SNFs to improve the quality of care they provide to patients. The Value-Based Purchasing Program incentive is based on the Medicare Part A rehospitalization rates. The SNF VBP Program currently uses the SNF 30-Day All-Cause Readmission Measure (SNFRM), which evaluates the risk-standardized readmission rate (RSRR) of unplanned, all-cause hospital readmissions.
But what does this mean for your organization? 
Listen to today’s episode of PATHTalks featuring Pathway Health experts Robin Davis, Director of Reimbursement and Regulatory Services, and Colleen Toebe, Director of Consulting, as they share insights and practical considerations.
 
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

Whether you are a leader in skilled nursing, assisted living, or any other long-term care environment, it is imperative that your team has the educational preparation to demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the mandatory education requirements and other skill sets that will support quality outcomes.
In this episode of PATHTalks, Pathway Health experts Sue LaGrange, Chief Nursing Officer, and Chris Fangboner, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, discuss mandatory education strategies. Tune in to learn more today!
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

In a world where finding talented individuals is scarce, you must be ready to look within for who can be developed and is up for the challenge of something more. Beyond using it as a recruitment and retention strategy, investing in individuals within your organization makes them more engaged, working harder, and most importantly, happier. Engagement means better financial outcomes, clinical outcomes, resident satisfaction, and so much more.
 
These strategies can be used at all levels beyond the leader and leadership team. Growing leaders can help move an organization forward. But what are some strategies you can use to develop great leaders?
 
In this episode of PATHTalks, you’ll hear from Pathway Health experts Chandler Hulke, Director of Leadership Services, and Lisa Thomson, Chief Operating Officer, as they discuss practical leadership development strategies to support leaders from within your organization. Tune in today!
 
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

Business development is key to ensuring future growth in all aspects of your senior living community or organization simply because having a plan in place helps us stay on track and move forward as one. A business development plan encompasses innovations with the changing times to build a good reputation and leverage an organization’s mission and core values.
 
But what are some practical ways to go about creating such a plan? How do you implement a plan that is sustainable and attainable for the entire organization? What elements do you need to be successful?
 
In today’s episode of PATHTalks, you’ll hear from Pathway Health experts Jody Carver, Director of Business Development, and Chandler Hulke, Director of Leadership Services, as they share actionable insights, strategies, and ideas to help you get your business plans together and ready to better serve your organization. If you want to learn how to craft your business development skills, this episode will help you get started toward a brighter tomorrow. Check it out today!
 
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

Preparedness is vitally important for a successful survey. Being prepared and organized helps a survey go well, and nursing homes should be survey-ready every day. But how do you do that? If you still need ideas on being an informed leader and implementing effective surveys, we’ve got you covered.
 
Tune in to this episode PATHTalks to hear from Robin Davis, Director of Reimbursement and Regulatory Services, and Chandler Hulke, Director of Leadership Services, as they discuss the importance of educating your staff, always practicing, and so much more. Hear their thoughts, strategies, and ideas today.
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.

A risk assessment is a proactive compliance tool used to detect, prevent, and correct risk while identifying inappropriate practices. It can be used in a clinical setting, financial setting, or both.
 
But how do leaders identify risk? Is identifying risk the same as a regulatory review or a mock survey? What is the difference? And most importantly, what should you look for when identifying potential risks?
 
Get the answers to these questions and more by tuning in to today’s installment of PATHTalks. This episode features Pathway Health experts Daniel Billings, Chief Innovation Officer, and Robin Davis, Director of Reimbursement and Regulatory Services, as they discuss their thoughts, strategies, tips, and ideas for running risk assessments for your organization. Tune in today!
 
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.