MHA Continuum of Care Council
This program puts MHA in the forefront on issues related to the
continuum of care. An outgrowth of MHA's restructuring, the program
reflects the fact that MHA members provide the full spectrum of
health care services. Acute and long-term care, ambulatory care,
home health, hospice, assisted living, personal care homes, adult
day care and other support services are among the areas included
in this program's activities.
The health care system is rapidly moving toward integrated delivery
systems that offer the full continuum of services, from preventive
and acute care, to continuing care or extended care services.
MHA is at the forefront as the voice of the extended care continuum,
representing member needs and interests in integrated delivery systems.
Included in extended care are primary care providers, rural health
centers, hospice, assisted living, personal care homes, adult day
care, retirement housing and other home and community-based services.
To broaden and strengthen our impact on federal rules and regulations
that govern reimbursement and extended care issues, MHA affiliates
with three national associations: the American Association for Homes
and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), the National Association for
Home Care (NAHC) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
(NHPCO). These three associations augment MHA's continuum of care
services. AAHSA , NAHC and NPCHO also add to the vision of an integrated
continuum of high quality services through representation and advocacy,
ethical leadership, and education. Through membership in NAHC, AAHSA
and NHPCO, MHA is linked to a national network of aging and social
services that represent the varied and diverse needs of the communities
that MHA members serve.
The MHA Continuum of Care program will integrate policy evaluation
and formation, advocacy, representation and monitoring of professional
practices across institutional boundaries. Accent is placed on consumer
empowerment and respect for our elderly, focusing on not where care
is provided, but the continuity and quality of care given. Among
the activities in this subprogram, special emphasis is given to
reimbursement and regulatory issues.
MHA members have defined extended care as including primary care
providers, rural health centers, hospice, assisted living (personal
care homes), adult day care, retirement housing, and other supportive
services. All of these health care delivery systems can be characterized
as a philosophy of service that is consumer-driven, flexible, individualized
and maximizes consumer choice and dignity.
All but three hospitals in the state are designated as rural hospitals
by the federal government. Many are Sole Community Providers, others
are Rural Referral Centers and the rest are classified as rural.
In addition, 12 facilities are currently licensed as Critical Access
Hospitals. In recent years, there has also been a significant shift
in acute care emphasis to subacute and transitional care.
Seventy-five percent of MHA members are involved in providing services
for the frail elderly and individuals with disabilities in skilled
nursing facilities. Representing the interests, and serving the
needs, of our long term care providers is a high priority for the
Continuum of Care Services.
The health care industry's response to changes in payment and incentive
systems is transforming the way health care is being delivered in
this country. One of the most significant of these transformations
is the shift from inpatient care to care provided in ambulatory
settings.
MHA's members are involved with the delivery of ambulatory care
services in traditional hospital settings, as well as a variety
of other settings: free-standing ambulatory surgical centers, urgent-care
facilities; rural health clinics; specialized diagnostic facilities;
primary care services; prison health services; and oncology centers.
The purpose of this subprogram is to monitor developments in this
fast-growth field and provide members with the information they
need to effectively manage their ambulatory care resources.
At the present time, over 50 percent of MHA's members are involved
in delivering high-quality, diverse home care and community-based
services. With the tremendous interest in home and community-based
services as lower-cost alternatives to higher cost settings, member
hospitals and home and community-based care will continue to be
strategic partners in integrated delivery of care.
Council Members:
Cody Langbehn, Chair, CEO
Pioneer Medical Center, Big Timber
Alan Bird, Administrator
Granite Cnty Memorial MAF, Philipsburg
Kate Bratches, Manager
Partners' Hospice & Palliative Cr, Missoula
Kent Burgess, Administrator
St. John's Lutheran Home, Billings
Ron Caldwell, President
West Mont Home Health Serv., Helena
Ken Flowers, CHE, Administrator
Sheridan Memorial Hospital, Plentywood
Nancy Hansen, Administrator
Sweet Memorial Nursing Home, Chinook
Shelly Heppler, Administrator
Eastern Montana Veteran's Home, Glendive
Loren Hines, Director
Easter Seals Goodwill No. Rocky Mtn., Butte
Jane Hron, HHA Administrator
Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Hamilton
Theresa Livers, Adminstrator
Sidney Health Center Ext. Care, Sidney
Peggy Norgaard, Administrator
NE MT Health Services, Inc., Poplar
Richard Ojala, VP - Senior Services
Aspen Pointe at Hillcrest, Bozeman
Dale Polla, Administrator
Glacier County Medical Center, Cut Bank
Karna Rhodes, Administrator
Powder River Manor, Broadus
Vicki Robinson, DON
Benefis Healthcare, Great Falls
Kevin Sider, Administrator
Aspen Meadows Retrmnt Com., Billings
Paula Small-Plenty, Administrator
Heritage Acres Nursing Home, Hardin
Nancy Taylor, Administrator
Broadwater Health Center, Townsend
Gene Todd, Administrator
Great Falls Eagles Manor, Great Falls
Stacey Ward, Administrator
Livingston Health & Rehab Center, Livingston
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