Since the inception of PPS in 2000, home health payments have been based on a 60-day, therapy-driven model. Adjustments to the PPS payment model have been made over the years due to CMS identifying therapy utilization as a poor indicator for payment. In fact, although a higher level of therapy professionals has been utilized throughout the industry, higher clinical STAR and Home Health Compare outcome ratings have not followed suit. This session will teach you how to operate in a model where every discipline is valued the same. We will provide valuable examples of best practice agencies with lower therapy utilization who continue to demonstrate high quality outcomes based on Home Health Compare scores and STAR ratings. This session will discuss methods to ensure cost-effective therapy discipline utilization under PDGM without compromising quality patient care. We will discuss how alternative disciplines may be used to support therapy plans of care and reduce the number of high-cost therapy visits needed to meet patient goals. In summary, this session will also equip you with the valuable comparative best practice information necessary to evaluate your existing agency therapy program and implement appropriate discipline utilization and alternative best operational practices to ensure success under PDGM.