1. February 27, 2015 Where are we now? Organization Pilot Improving Veterans Access to Care Presented to: National Association of State Veterans Home Administrators Presenter: Colette Alvarez

2. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Why Are We Here? 2 Provide status of the partnership between VISN 19, its 14 State Veterans Homes (located in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and Idaho), and the VA State Home Per Diem Program (SHPD) VISN 19 Organizational Pilot.

3. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Goals of Pilot Improve timeliness, quality of application submissions and invoice approvals Improve visibility and increase communications Reduce redundant requests to SVH for documentation Minimize improper payments 3

4. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Tools for Pilot Success SVH and VISN 19 Leadership support VAMC assistance and experience Constant communication with the SVHs Constant & simplistic training on Pilot requirements Fully manned and trained SHPD staff CBOPC Leadership support and encouragement 4

5. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Identified Three (3) Key Interaction Requirements 5 Accuracy, Timeliness and Completeness: Application Submissions and Processing Resident Tracking Tool Reconciliation of Gains and Losses Invoice Submissions and Processing

6. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 6 Full-time dedicated & trained SHPD staff Standardized Requirements  Tools and Resources  Processes and Practices  Daily Operating Procedures  SHPD Training and SVH staff development Required Pilot Components

7. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Improvement Opportunities vs Corrective Actions 7 SVHs Encountered: Change from the norm Slow & miscommunication Delays in processing Additional requests for information Delay in approval notification Delay in PIV approvals SHPD Actions: Assumed VAMC application duties Established Weekly Conference Calls Hired Qualified New Staff Gained Access to ESR Physician Electronic Signature Approvals Implemented Password- Protected Document Emailing

8. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Corrective Actions Status 8 Both SVHs and SHPD made adjustments to the Pilot requirements SHPD staffing played a key role in processing times and notifications SVHs responses to Weekly Meeting have been positive and productive Reduction in additional information and/or documentation requests Discontinued faxing, use of Password-Protected Document Emailing

9. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Next Steps 9 Continue to increase lines of communications Utilize ESR system for faster eligibility requests Constantly modify and update processes through Lessons Learned Be more proactive and analytical in our problem solving Continue to find ways to minimize improper payments

10. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION VISN 19 PILOT CONTACTS 10 Colette Alvarez, VA Program Manager, State Home Per Diem Program (SHPD) Colette.Alvarez@va.gov (775) 326-5721 Andre’ Bynum, VA Project Manager/COR Andre.Bynum@va.gov (303) 372-4659 Carol Peterson, Contact Representative Carol.Peterson2@va.gov (303) 331-7662 Euradell McRae, Contact Representative Euradell.McRae@va.gov (303) 780-4727

11. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION QUESTIONS 11