The Quality Incentive Payment Program (QIPP) was designed to push elder care facilities to improve healthcare standards. The federal government-funded program did this by doling out more than $1 billion to the owners of 860 facilities, 540 owned by government entities, who then contract out the operation to nursing home operating companies.
This would seem to be a practical achievement-based idea. Still, it has come to light that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid waived the reporting on rates of pressure ulcers, use of antipsychotic medication and resident mobility while still providing funding.
There is no doubt that nursing home residents and staff have been hit hard during the pandemic. Nevertheless, we are not out of the woods yet, so the lack of oversight during this crucial time would seem to counter this program’s spirit.
Congressman has concerns
Reporting on this issue has led Representative Lloyd Doggett to question the efficiency and effectiveness of the QIPP after the state published a low-scoring audit.
“It’s clear that Texas taxpayers, federal taxpayers, are not getting their money’s worth,” Doggett said. “I don’t deny … many people in these homes that are really making an effort. But this program has simply taken taxpayer money, and spent a great deal of it, and has very little to show for it.”
Eldercare facilities are businesses
We trust these facilities to provide the best possible care to our elderly loved ones. But this appears to be another example of how these companies take the QIPP money and put profits before the quality of resident care. As of now, these facilities are apparently not doing the job this program paid them to do.
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