The PTPN Outcomes Program is a mandatory outcomes measurement program for PTPN members. PTPN has selected Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes Inc. (FOTO) as the software engine to run the program. Patients complete computerized surveys at intake and discharge, which are uploaded to FOTO for comparison to a national database. Both PTPN and our member offices each receive reports back from FOTO.
There are many benefits for our members:
- Outcomes help us deliver better services to and improve our relationships with payers. The ability to report patients’ functional improvement and use of resources, and compare results against national data, allows us to demonstrate that PTPN’s Quality Assurance Program translates into better outcomes and more efficiency. The more efficient we are, the lower the cost of the overall case; payers are likely to view us more favorably. This is why PTPN has already captured the attention of payers with this program, and we are discussing and implementing innovative new programs in various states.
- Outcomes give payers a better alternative to other medical management systems. We need to be able to compete with organizations that are offering to measure and control utilization for payers. Our Outcomes Program is a better alternative because it focuses on the patient’s actual improvement, not just arbitrary utilization limits.
- Outcomes make your office more competitive. The data your office collects will allow you to give physicians, case managers, adjustors and patients specific information about why you are better than your competitors. You’ll have much more compelling and effective marketing messages than other competitors who don’t have data to back up their assertions. PTPN members also have access to our Outcomes Toolkit, which includes templates of reports that can show payers and physicians how they perform compared to national benchmarks.
- Outcomes give you information to improve your practice. You’ll be able to identify your practice’s strengths, as well as areas where you can improve.
- Outcomes prepare you for coming developments like Pay-for-Performance (P4P). Medicare, which has specifically endorsed FOTO, and other payers are moving toward P4P, report cards and other quality measurement and reward systems for outpatient rehab. Launching our Outcomes Program now allows us to prepare for those systems and to have a voice in what happens — rather than waiting for others to force new and burdensome requirements upon us.