HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions
Regis University HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions– Step-By-Step Guide
This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Regis University HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.
How to Research and Prepare for HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions
Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Regis University HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.
After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.
How to Write the Introduction for HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions
The introduction for the Regis University HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.
Need a high-quality paper urgently?
We can deliver within hours.
How to Write the Body for HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions
After the introduction, move into the main part of the HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.
Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.
How to Write the Conclusion for HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions
After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.
How to Format the References List for HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions
The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.
Stuck? Let Us Help You
Completing assignments can sometimes be overwhelming, especially with the multitude of academic and personal responsibilities you may have. If you find yourself stuck or unsure at any point in the process, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional assistance. Our assignment writing services are designed to help you achieve your academic goals with ease.
Our team of experienced writers is well-versed in academic writing and familiar with the specific requirements of the HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions assignment. We can provide you with personalized support, ensuring your assignment is well-researched, properly formatted, and thoroughly edited. Get a feel of the quality we guarantee – ORDER NOW.
Sample Answer for HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions
Describe what surprised you in the learning materials around the cost of long-term care.
I really didn’t have a complete notion as to the out of pocket cost for long term care. Medicare does not cover these services and it is the responsibility of the individual or their families (Willink et al., 2019). Lower income clients may or may not qualify for Medicaid, however, even if they do, Medicaid payments to the institution vary from state to state (Willink et al., 2019). What I am now surmising, is that those clients who are in long-term care facilities, are either paying for the service with their life savings, or they have long-term health insurance.
Explain the financial challenges and realities that older adults face as they age.
Many older adults have limited financial means and meeting their physical needs can be a challenge. This older group who may have long term services and support ( LTSS), may not have enough funds to pay for food, rent or heat (Willink et al., 2019). In some cases, this population is faced with the inability to pay for needed prescription medications as well. According to Willink et al.(2019), when older adults are unable to pay for their housing or food, many are placed in nursing homes. This is not the purpose of nursing homes, as they are intended to provide skilled nursing services. “They are not meant to be the default option for older Medicare beneficiaries needing long-term services and supports because the financial burden of these costs results in an inability to pay for rent or utilities” (Willink et al., 2019). I felt the need to quote this directly as I found it astounding that this is the course of events when funds are at a minimum
Describe the ways in which long-term care is paid for by aging adults and patterns over time. How would this impact your work as the leader of a long-term care organization?
When planning for age related care, there are those individuals who have saved over their lifetime to provide for this eventuality, as well as leaving enough behind for the next generation; this can provide peace in old age (Peters & Pinkston, 2002). There are others who made similar plans, but were forced to use all of their savings for unexpected changed in health needs. Most long-term care is first paid with the client’s social security check, followed by pensions and savings (Peters & Pinkston, 2002). As ability to pay is decreased, and clients are moved to use Medicaid, the reimbursement to the long-term organization would be adjusted and thus cause a lowering of funding. Since funding is at the heart of an organization, this now puts stress on the overall function of the facility.
Nursing home care is common and costly. Describe how accountable care organization (ACO) payment models have incentives for care that is better coordinated and less reliant on acute settings.
ACO are groups of doctors, and other health care providers who work together to give coordinated high quality care to Medicare patients (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2021). The aim is to avoid duplication of services and avoid medical errors. According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2021), this results in spending health care dollars more wisely, which then reflects this savings back to the Medicare program
Describe ways in which long-term care is reimbursed for services and the impacts of pay-for-performance models. Does this have the potential to improve care for this high-cost population?
Pay for performance , particularly at the Medicaid level, surely has potential to improve care in long term health centers. Many states are using a P4P as a means of evaluating, recognizing and motivating for high quality care in nursing home. The intention is to reward those facilities who meet the goals of quality care and is based on clinical measurements and policies related to the direct care workers (Executive Office of Health and Human Services of Massachusetts ……). The particular focus is on long-stay patients who are on antipsychotic medications and those who are incontinent of bowels or bladder. Staff are examined for quality and quantity as well as turnover and there must be evidence of meetings regarding quality improvement. I think this is a wonderful strategy in addressing the quality of life of the residents.
As a leader of a long-term care organization, do you think it is cost effective to provide a more comfortable setting through cultural change?
Yes, I believe that it is cost effective to provide a more comfortable setting through cultural change. Cultural change helps companies and institutions remain competitive. By adjusting to consumer needs and requests, there is increased interest in participating in, or utilizing ,the services of a highly appointed facility.
Also Read
HP 626 Week 6 Discussion 6.1: Management Challenges in Operating Long-Term Care Discussion Questions
HP 626 Week 7 Discussion Cost of Chronic Illness and Dementia Discussion Questions
HP 626 Week 7 Assignment Aging Service Provider Interview and Paper
HP 626 Week 7 Journal Entry Informal Caregiving and Non-Paid Roles
HP 626 Week 8 Journal Entry My Buddy, Mr. Robot R
Does the pay-for-performance model for reimbursement have advantages?
I am from the generation of merit raises. I completely agree with this strategy. It is, generally believed to be a strategy that links pay raises or bonuses to the goals set for the employee and their job description. I feel that it is an excellent approach to managing motivation and job performance.
How do low reimbursement rates impact the quality of care delivered to aging adults living in a long-term care setting?
Medicaid is the primary source of reimbursement for nursing homes; 60% of all nursing home residents and 50% of all long-term care services are provided by Medicaid ; these payments only cover 70-80% of the actual cost of nursing home care (American Health Care Association & National Center for Assisted Living Office, 2024). Half of the nursing homes are reported to be operating at a loss and 72% state that will not be able to absorb this loss. Permanent closures are occurring and residents are at a loss for placement (American Health Care Association & National Center for Assisted Living Office, 2024).
References
American Health Care Association & National Center for Assisted Living Office. (2024). Financial struggle of nursing homes puts Medicaid reimbursement rates back in the spotlight. (n.d.). https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/Financial-Struggle-of-Nursing-Homes-Puts-Medicaid-Reimbursement-Rates-Back-in-the-Spotlight.aspx
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021). Accountable care organizations (ACOs): General Information | CMS. https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/aco#:~:text=Accountable%20Care%20Organizations%20(ACOs)%20are,the%20Medicare%20patients%20they%20serve.
Office of Health and Human Services, Massachusetts. (n.d.). MassHealth nursing home pay for performance program. mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/doc/nursing-home-pay-for-performance-p4p-stakeholder-meeting-1/download
Peters, C. M., & Pinkston, E. M. (2002). Controllers and noncontrollers: A typology of older Americans and their caregivers’ approaches to managing the private funding of long-term care. Qualitative Health Research, 12(9), 1161–1183.
Willink, A., Davis, K., Mulcahy, J., Wolff, J. L., & Kasper, J. (2019). The financial hardship faced by older Americans needing long-term services and supports (PDF). Issue Brief (Commonwealth Fund), 2019, 1–12.
Sample Answer 2 for HP 626 Week 5 Discussion: Social Perspectives: Cost of Long-Term Care and Ethical Viewpoints Discussion Questions
Describe what surprised you in the learning materials around the cost of long-term care.
Many people are often surprised to learn about the high cost of long-term care. Corresponding to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the national standard price for long-term care in a nursing home is around $6,844 monthly for a semi-private room. The cost of long-term care can differ considerably depending on the type of care required, the place where the care is received, and the region or state where one lives. Many people underestimate these costs, which can lead to financial strain. Planning for potential long-term care needs is essential to cover costs without undue burden (Martinez-Lacoba, 2021).
Explain the financial challenges and realities that older adults face as they age.
The number of elderly in the U.S. is rising, and many have difficulty finding affordable homes. A recent research paper on this topic details the frequency of homelessness and housing instability among senior citizens. Social workers are helpful to older people in overcoming the obstacles associated with aging. Some of the ways that social workers can assist older people with financial planning and decision-making are covered in the Social Work Today article. Moreover, the National Institute on Aging released an information sheet about long-term care costs. These details the many kinds of long-term care services available and how to pay them (Frimpong, 2022).
Describe how aging adults and patterns pay for long-term care over time. How would this impact your work as the leader of a long-term care organization?
Some individuals may have saved enough money throughout their lifetime to cover long-term care costs. This is often the first source of payment. Long-Term Care Insurance: This specific type of insurance policy covers the cost of long-term care services. However, the premiums can be high, and only some qualify for this type of insurance. Medicare: This federal plan gives health coverage to individuals 65 or older or with a severe disability. Medicare only covers long-term care if you need skilled services or rehabilitative care under specific conditions. Medicaid: This state and federal program provides health coverage if you have a meager income. Medicaid is the largest payer of long-term care services. Over time, there has been an increasing reliance on personal savings and insurance as long-term care costs have risen.
Additionally, there has been a shift towards home and community-based services, which are often less expensive than institutional care. As the guide of long-term care groups, these payment methods and trends would notably affect healthcare providers’ work. I want to ensure that our services are reasonable and available to those requiring them, considering how they may be funded. This could involve working with insurance companies, setting competitive rates, and offering flexible payment options. Additionally, I must stay informed about government funding and policy changes, as these could directly impact our organization’s funding and clients’ ability to pay for care (NIH, 2023).
Nursing home care is common and costly. Describe how accountable care organization (ACO) payment models have incentives for care that are better coordinated and less reliant on acute settings.
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are alliances of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who come jointly willingly to give organized, high-quality care to their Medicare patients. Organized care guarantees that frequently ill patients get the proper help at the right time while averting excessive repetition of services and stopping medical errors. ACO compensation models have enticements for better-coordinated care and are less dependent on acute settings in several ways: Shared Savings: In this model, ACOs share in the investments they achieve for the Medicare program if they meet quality and savings benchmarks. This incentivizes ACOs to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and readmissions, which are costly and often indicate poor care coordination. Capitation: Some ACOs receive a per-patient per-month payment covering all patients’ needs. This incentivizes ACOs to keep patients healthy and out of the hospital because they bear the financial risk if care costs exceed the capitated payment. By aligning financial incentives with quality and efficiency, ACO payment models encourage healthcare providers to shift away from a reliance on costly, acute care settings and towards more coordinated, preventative, and efficient care models (Frimpong, 2022).
Describe ways in which long-term care is reimbursed for services and the impacts of pay-for-performance models. Does this have the potential to improve care for this high-cost population?
Long-term care is reimbursed for services through different models, such as fee-for-service, case-mix group, and value-based payment. Fee-for-service pays providers based on the volume and type of services they deliver, regardless of the outcomes. The case-mix group pays providers based on the clinical and functional characteristics of the patients, such as their diagnosis, acuity, and needs. Value-based payment pays providers based on the quality and efficiency of their care, such as meeting specific performance measures, reducing costs, or improving outcomes. Pay-for-performance is a value-based payment that rewards or penalizes providers for performance on particular indicators, such as quality, safety, or patient satisfaction. Pay-for-performance models can improve care for this high-cost population by incentivizing providers to deliver high-quality, low-cost, patient-centered care. However, pay-for-performance models also face challenges, such as measuring and attributing performance, aligning incentives across different levels of care, and ensuring fair and adequate reimbursement (Werner, 2022).
As a long-term care organization leader, is providing a more comfortable setting through cultural change cost-effective?
Providing a more comfortable setting through cultural change in a long-term care organization can be cost-effective. Improved Employee Satisfaction: A positive cultural change can improve employee satisfaction. Fulfilled workers are more prone to remain with the organization, decreasing turnover prices. Enhanced Patient Experience: A comfortable and culturally sensitive environment can enhance the patient’s experience. This can lead to higher patient satisfaction scores, impacting reimbursement rates in specific healthcare systems. Increased Efficiency: Cultural changes promoting teamwork and communication can increase efficiency. This can reduce costs associated with miscommunication or lack of coordination (Bourgeault, 2022).
Does the pay-for-performance model for reimbursement have advantages?
Four systems address the nature of medicinal services that incorporate government control, commercial center rivalry, ceaseless quality change, and installment motivating forces. The last technique has been changing how suppliers and safety net providers advance the installment strategies to build productivity, quality confirmation, and enhance esteem. The expense for administration does not consider cost administration, quality, and proficiency, while the P4P essential target is quality affirmation and controlling expenses. The P4P approach influences repayment in the way that it has a motivator to enhance quality care to gain more rewards, expanding their yearly salary by 10%, per the American Academy of Family Physicians. More than 35 well-being arranges speaking to 30 million individuals now offer pay-for-performance programs. Considering current development patterns, at least 80 well-being arrangements are relied upon to offer such projects by 2006, covering 60 million individuals (Frimpong, 2022).
How do low reimbursement rates impact the quality of care delivered to aging adults in a long-term care setting?
Low reimbursement rates can significantly impact the quality of care delivered to aging adults in a long-term care setting in several ways: Lower reimbursement rates can lead to budget constraints, resulting in understaffing or hiring less qualified staff. This can lead to a decrease in the quality of care as there may need to be more staff to attend to all residents adequately, or the staff may need the necessary skills or training to provide high-quality care. Lower reimbursement rates can also limit the resources available for patient care. This can include everything from medical equipment and supplies to activities and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents. Budget constraints can also impact the maintenance and upkeep of the facility itself. This can lead to a less comfortable or safe environment for residents (NIH, 2023).
References
Bourgeault I., Daly T, Aubrecht C, Armstrong P, Armstrong H, Braedley S.(2022).Leadership for quality in long-term care. Doi: 10.1177/08404704211040747.
Martinez-Lacoba R, Pardo-Garcia I, Escribano-Sotos F. (2021). Aging, Dependence, and Long-Term Care: A Systematic Review of Employment Creation. doi: 10.1177/00469580211062426
Frimpong S., Arthur-Holmes F, Agyemang-Duah W. (2022). Financial vulnerability, health outcomes, and well-being of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Doi: 10.7189/jogh.12.03021.
NIH (2023). What Is Long-Term Care?. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/long-term-care/what-long-term-care
Werner R, Konetzka R.(2022). Reimagining Financing and Payment of Long-Term Care. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.11.030.