Increasing Skilled Nursing Facility Authorization Requests on Weekends

Abstract

The goal of the evidence-based project was to increase skilled nursing facility (SNF) authorization requests on the weekends. Saturday and Sunday authorization requests were increased during the project period from 1.3% of the total authorizations to 7.2%. Discharges to skilled nursing facilities on weekends did not increase as expected. There was an increase in discharges on Mondays from 15.5% to 19.6% of total discharges to SNFs for Medicare Advantage patients. This increase in authorizations completed was accomplished by identifying patients who could potentially discharge if an authorization was obtained using a standard handoff tool. There was also an increased focus on the estimated date of discharge accuracy through discussion during interdisciplinary rounds. Further review is needed to identify additional barriers that prevent discharges to SNFs on weekends.