3 steps to financial sustainability and how we can get you on the right path…Fast!
September 13, 2023 | AN-ACC
By Shannon Sanderson, Head of Sales
The reality of financial sustainability for Residential Aged Care Providers is about to change as care minute compliance becomes mandatory.
Many Providers engaging with Mirus for the first time are acknowledging the only way they will be able to meet care minute targets is by engaging agency staff at significant expense. This quickly becomes a false economy.
October 1st 2023 is a date that has been discussed at length and on the radar for aged care Providers for a long time. However, we are finding there are still many in the sector who are retaining some of the claiming behaviours from the ACFI days. This will put them at significant risk of care minute compliance which will attract attention from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
The change from ACFI to AN-ACC funding models has also required a change in mindset to funding and workforce strategy.
1. ACFI and Workforce Strategy
To optimise your funding in the ACFI world Providers would identify changes to care needs of your residents and claim for any uplift found. With no mandated requirement on the workforce requirements (other than Allied Health), it was a siloed decision commonly made by financial and funding teams.
2. AN-ACC and Workforce Strategy
AN-ACC requires a very different mindset. One that incorporates a solid workforce strategy that is aligned with your funding strategy. A balance if you like.
Again, quoting from the Department of Health and Aged Care “The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended introducing a case-mix funding model for residential aged care”. (1)
This has seen the introduction of care minute allocations for each funding classification which will become a reality in just a few weeks’ time. And the need to align funding and workforce strategy.
Rather than reviewing residents that for potential uplift in funding, Providers should be looking holistically at the care needs of the residents using the AN-ACC assessment frameworks.
Interestingly, around 30% of residents we review could be reclassified to a lower classification. This would never have been considered in the ACFI days however it becomes relevant for Providers if their roster capacity is not aligned to resident care minute requirements. A lower classification equals less care minutes required, in many cases this has resulted in a reduction in casual and agency staffing.
With 55% of the industry currently sitting at a 1 or 2 star for their care minute requirements quick actions are needed to meet the care minute targets Providers will receive over the next week.
AN-ACC is a more complex process than ACFI. We have done a lot of thinking and worked with many clients to get this above-mentioned balance of funding and workforce aligned.
By following these 3 continuous steps, Providers can achieve a financially sustainable funding and workforce strategy that is compliant with care minute requirements and give you the staffing you need to provide great care to your residents.
Mirus Metrics contains a forward thinking view of your AN-ACC funding allowing you to proactively manage your resident classification workflows and the impact of resident admissions and re-classifications on care minute compliance and future care minute targets.
1. Align roster to care minute targets and occupancy.
- Plan your roster in line with your care obligations to all residents (including residents on a default classification that are not included in care minutes)
- Forecast your care minute targets ahead of them being released by the department including new admissions.
2. Manage resident reclassifications in line with roster capacity
- Forecast the classifications of new residents being admitted to your facility
- Request resident reclassifications so they offset resident admissions and departures allowing your and maintain a care minute requirement that aligns to your available workforce
3. Forecast resident classifications for care minute and funding targets
- Regularly review AN-ACC classifications of all residents to identify changes to care needs
- Calculate funding and care minute targets based on the review of resident care needs and potential changes to their AN-ACC classifications.
This is a continuous process that Providers can adopt for optimal results.
The Mirus Accelerator Program is designed to support Providers in this process. This program includes:
- Review of all residents classifications and an understanding of any potential revenue changes
- Analysis of your roster, the impact of care minute changes and the path to star ratings increases
- Training and education for your teams on AN-ACC assessment and processes
- An understanding of how you can maintain your key AN-ACC processes across your organisation.
- Access to Mirus Metrics during the program
To learn more about the Mirus Accelerator program, follow the link below.
