Did You Know About These Medicare Options?

Effective in 2019, Medicare Advantage plans were allowed to include coverage, if they chose to, of health-related supplemental benefits and services that increase health and improve quality of life, including coverage of non-skilled, in-home supports. Medicare Advantage plans began to offer supplemental benefits that were not covered under Medicare Parts A or B if they diagnose, compensate for physical impairments, diminish the impact of injuries or health conditions and/or reduce avoidable emergency room utilization.¹ Another rule change by CMS, effective in 2020, expanded the definition of supplemental benefits to include any services that address social determinants of health for people with chronic disease.²

What does that mean for your patients? In short, it may now be more accessible for a greater number of seniors to receive the care they need to rest, heal and mitigate the likelihood of costly hospital readmissions by accessing short-term respite stays with a contracted senior living community post-discharge. A 10-day respite stay with Brookdale’s Bridge Care Transitions, traditionally only available as a private-pay option, may now be covered under your patients’ Medicare Advantage plan, allowing patients to receive the care they need in a lower cost setting.

At Brookdale, our population health model is rooted in taking a proactive, whole-person view of care as well as the other non-medical interventions needed to maintain or improve an individual’s health. This model extends to our Bridge Care Transitions program, where we can help your patients recover in a home-like environment with multiple dining options and trained caregivers on site around the clock in our Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care communities.

Our associates can assist with post-acute care for patients with high risk of readmission by overseeing daily care, while managing the care coordination with a comprehensive clinical team comprised of internal and external resources. Patients further benefit from individualized care plans designed to aid in recovery through programs and approaches that may include building strength to help prevent injury, managing chronic conditions and providing social interaction particularly for those at risk for depression. Brookdale home health and outpatient therapy are also available in many markets. At Brookdale we are committed to providing compassionate, quality care. If you have patients who might benefit from a short-term stay, we can help.

Contact us to learn more about the level of care provided at your local Brookdale community.

^{1. cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-proposes-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-payment-and-policy-updates-provide-new-benefits-enrollees}

^{2. cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2020-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-rate-announcement-and-final-call-letter-fact-sheet}