Where can I find information on the Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations Among Nursing Facility Residents?

A. CMS has provided a new website to assist Skilled Nursing Facility's with understanding this new initiative, see the link below:

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-and-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination-Office/InitiativetoReduceAvoidableHospitalizations/AvoidableHospitalizationsamongNursingFacilityResidents.html

Intent of Initiative:

• Help improve the quality of care for people in nursing facilities by reducing potentially avoidable inpatient hospitalizations. 
• Implement evidence-based interventions that both improve care and lower costs.
• Focuses on long-stay nursing facility residents who are enrolled in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Statistics:

• CMS research (2005) shows approximately 45% of hospital admissions among SNF patients could have been avoided.
• Accounts for 314,000 potentially avoidable hospitalizations and $2.6 billion in Medicare expenditures in 2005.
• The Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations Among Nursing Facility Residents requires 2 phases for completion including Improving Clinical Care and Adding Payment Reform. For additional information see the above link.