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Home Health Care Research 

Comparing Public Quality Ratings for Joint Commission Accredited and Non-Joint Commission Accredited Home Health Agencies: A Replication Study
Abstract: 
This was a descriptive replication study comparing 2083 home health agencies accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and 8695 non-TJC-accredited home health agencies over a 3-year period using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Home Health Compare data set. Metrics included the star ratings and 17 quality measures. A longitudinal model was used to determine differences between TJC-accredited and non-TJC-accredited organizations on the quality measures. Categorical differences in star ratings were analyzed using a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. TJC-accredited home health agencies had better average ratings than non-TJC-accredited home health agencies for each of the 3 years (3.4 vs 3.2, p < .001). When categories were collapsed to evaluate differences, the analysis revealed that a significantly larger proportion of TJC-accredited facilities were clustered within the higher ratings (41% for TJC-accredited vs 32% for non-TJC-accredited), and fewer TJC-accredited organizations were clustered within the lower ratings (22% for TJC-accredited vs 30% for non-TJC-accredited; p < .001). Two claims-based outcome measures (hospitalization and emergency room visits) were consistent with the original study in which TJC-accredited home health organizations had statistically significant lower rates across all 3 years studied, compared to non-TJC-accredited HHAs. This replication study validates and extends the generalizability of the findings from the original study.

 

Participate in Research Studies

APTA Home Health receives frequent requests from members and students to disseminate their research study surveys to our members in hopes of increasing volunteer engagement. As we receive these requests, we will post them here in our bi-weekly e-newsletter. Please note that these research studies are not affiliated with or sponsored by APTA Home Health and are 100% volunteer based. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the contact listed for the study. 

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Imposter Phenomenon Survey

Physical Therapists from West Coast University are seeking participation in a survey regarding the prevalence of Imposter phenomenon in licensed physical therapists. Imposter Phenomenon, or perceived fraudulence, describes an ongoing fear of exposure as a fraud despite objective successes and accomplishments. 
 
The organizers of the study are hoping to gather data regarding not only the prevalence, but predictors and if there is a correlation to burnout within our profession. 

The survey will only take about 15 minutes to complete. Please only take this survey once, as you may see it on multiple outlets. Your participation is greatly appreciated! Please contact [email protected] with any questions you may have. 

Use the following link to access the survey and complete it by July 8, 2022:


Follow this link to the Survey: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PgsmWEefs9EwnnQCTbSgL771D1wZAG-P4xSlxIP4kbw/viewform?ts=62811d86&edit_requested=true

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Assessment of Balance Practices and Associated Barriers of United States Practicing Physical Therapists 

A doctoral student at Seton Hall University is conducting a mixed-method study (IRB number 2022-298 ). The study will explore the balance assessment practices of U.S.-practicing PTs, specifically, addressing the utilization of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)balance tests and measures and the Academy of the Geriatric Physical Therapy (AGPT) Clinical Guidance Statement (CGS) in the management of falls. The survey has two parts and will take 15 minutes to complete. The survey is anonymous and confidential. 

If you have any questions, please contact the primary investigator, Franceah Palencia-Quijano at [email protected]

Use the following link to access the survey and complete it by June 19, 2022:

Follow this link to the Survey: 
https://shu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bPnCrt7mNqOBtI2

 

Lisa VanHoose, PT, PhD, MPH, fellow of the American Academy of Physical Therapy and Catherine Worthingham fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association, will deliver the third Lynda D. Woodruff Lecture on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Physical Therapy on June 16, 2022, at 6 p.m. ET.

Click here for more information and to stream the lecture! 

 

IRS Increases Mileage Rate for Remainder of 2022

The Internal Revenue Service announced yesterday an increase in the optional standard mileage rate for the final six months of 2022. Taxpayers may use the optional standard mileage rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and certain other purposes.

For the final six months of 2022, the standard mileage rate for business travel will be 62.5 cents per mile, up four cents from the rate effective at the start of the year. The new rate for deductible medical or moving expenses (available for active-duty members of the military) will be 22 cents for the remainder of 2022, up 4 cents from the rate effective at the start of 2022. These new rates become effective July 1, 2022. The IRS provided legal guidance on the new rates in Announcement 2022-13, issued yesterday.

In recognition of recent gasoline price increases, the IRS made this special adjustment for the final months of 2022. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year. For travel from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2022, taxpayers should use the rates set forth in Notice 2022-03.

“While this decision is welcome, it is important that government payers like Medicare and Medicaid to increase payment rates to recognize cost increases impacting the entire economy, particularly health care,” said NAHC President William A. Dombi.

“The IRS is adjusting the standard mileage rates to better reflect the recent increase in fuel prices,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “We are aware a number of unusual factors have come into play involving fuel costs, and we are taking this special step to help taxpayers, businesses and others who use this rate.”

While fuel costs are a significant factor in the mileage figure, other items enter into the calculation of mileage rates, such as depreciation and insurance and other fixed and variable costs.

The optional business standard mileage rate is used to compute the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business use in lieu of tracking actual costs. This rate is also used as a benchmark by the federal government and many businesses to reimburse their employees for mileage.

Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

The 14 cents per mile rate for charitable organizations remains unchanged as it is set by statute.

Midyear increases in the optional mileage rates are rare, the last time the IRS made such an increase was in 2011.

Mileage Rate Changes

Purpose Rates 1/1 through 6/30/22 Rates 7/1 through 12/31/22
Business 58.5 62.5
Medical/Moving 18 22
Charitable 14
 

Lawmakers Focus on Prevention, Cures to Curb US Health Insurance Costs

The Hill | By Paige Kupas
 
House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) discussed their differing visions for an improved health care system on Wednesday, with the Democrat focusing largely on prevention and the Republican on breakthroughs in cures. 
 
Schweikert told The Hill’s Steve Clemons that shifting the system from the current “maintenance model” to a “curative model” would eventually reduce health care needs and bring costs down for the insurance industry. 
 
“Maybe instead of spending our money in a maintenance model, it’s now time to say that we as Americans are going to fixate on the curative model because that has the long-term benefit of crashing health care spending,” he said at The Hill’s “Closing the Gaps in Health Insurance” event. 
 
“And it is shocking the lack of embracing of that idea around here because it blows up much of the health care business model,” he added.
 
Some 60 percent of Americans report skipping or delaying treatment because out-of-pocket costs are too high, according to a poll commissioned by Consumers for Quality Care, which sponsored Wednesday’s event. 
 
Schweikert noted that people with chronic diseases represented the majority of health care spending in the country, meaning that finding cures for diseases such as diabetes would create disproportionate savings in the system. 
 
The co-chairman of the Congressional Telehealth Caucus also said that expanding at-home access to medical technologies could lower health care costs. 

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