#5. What measure is used in the SNF VBP Program?  The SNF 30-Day All-Cause Readmission Measure (SNFRM; NQF #2510) is the measure currently used in the SNF VBP Program. It evaluates the risk-standardized rate of unplanned, all-cause acute care hospital readmissions for fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries. This measure assesses SNF residents’ hospital readmissions within 30 days after discharge from a prior hospital stay to a SNF.

#3. How are performance scores determined?
SNFs’ risk-standardized readmission rates (RSRRs) in the performance period are compared to two metrics to determine the performance score:

 

• Their own past performance during the baseline period, used to calculate an improvement score (scores range from 0 to 90)

• National SNF performance during the baseline period, used to calculate an achievement score (scores range from 0 to 100)

 

A SNF’s achievement and improvement scores are compared; whichever score is higher becomes that SNF’s performance score.

#2.  How are SNFs ranked in the SNF VBP Program?
SNFs are ranked by their performance scores each year, as required by statute. SNFs with the same performance score receive the same rank. For example, if 200 SNFs receive a perfect performance score of 100, these 200 SNFs will each hold a rank of 1. In this example, the SNF with the next-highest performance score would receive a rank of 201.