For those
of us in Home Health, Medicare often seems like a very stern, demanding,
tough-love type of father figure. But I think just the opposite is actually true.
She can definitely be strict and demanding, but to really understand her you
have to realize she's actually more like a loving mother. Can she be meddling,
nit-picky and over involved at times? Sure. Does it feel like she's being
unfair on occasion? Definitely. But she really does care and wants the best for
the family. And she's actually pretty darned smart.
To
understand Mama Medicare, you just have to keep these factors in mind:
Mama
Medicare's heart swells when all her children play together nicely. She
wants to see us all collaborating, communicating, working together, helping
each other and building on each other's strengths. She wants us all to double
check each other to make sure nothing's missed. She wants us to hang out
together and conference, problem solve and bring out the best in each other
(coordination of care).
Mama
wants you to have nice handwriting. You need to write it all out and very clearly. She really
wants to hear from us. Don't be a stranger, drop mama lots of notes. (Quality
documentation)
Follow
Mama's rules. Sometimes we
just don't understand why our parents have such crazy rules. Why can't I have
ice cream for breakfast? Mama Medicare actually does a really good job
explaining her rules (CMS training updates, alerts, MLN Matters, conference
calls, etc.), so try to listen and learn. Take advantage of these resources and
do your homework. But sometimes you just have to follow the rules whether you
agree or not.
Mama's
on budget. Medicare's a working mother, and her boss - Congress - is
very stingy! We often feel overworked and underpaid, but that’s nothing
compared to the enormous responsibility of caring for nearly all our nation’s
elders with soaring health care costs, while the pay is dwindling. Every day
she has to do more with less. If you're going to spend the family's hard
earned, limited resources, you'd better clearly explain why it's needed. She
wants to make sure that money is there for the next child in need as well.
(Medical necessity),
Tell
Mama how it's going. She wants to
hear about life's ups and the downs. She knows things don't always go well, but
when they don't she wants you to have a plan for changing your approach up.
(Document progress, explain and solve barriers, constantly re-asses) Mama
doesn't expect you to be perfect, but she wants you to keep trying until you
get it right.
Mama
wants to hear all about your day. Sit right down. Tell mama what you did today. Tell her all
about it. Paint a picture so she feels like she was there. Don't leave any
details out. (Client-centered, individualized, detailed documentation)
Mama
wants to brag about you. Go ahead and
brag about your accomplishments. Tell Mama in detail. Tell her about all those skilled
services you provided. Don't leave anything out. She's so proud of you and your
degree. Use all those big highfalutin professional words (skilled action
verbs, medical jargon, full names of techniques and tests). And speak up
clearly. No mumbling (unapproved abbreviations) around Mama!
Mama
wants her babies at home. Help mama keep everyone home. Not in the hospital, at the
emergency room, in rehab or in nursing homes. Keep them all at home and take
good care of them there!
So this
Mother's day, let's show this abused, neglected, taken-advantage of,
over-worked and underappreciated Mama some long over-due love. Happy Mother's
Day Mama Medicare. You may get on our nerves some time, but we know you love us
and we love you back!
Note:
I realize this article reinforces and makes light of traditional gender
stereotypes and assumptions about roles. I want to rewrite this in the future. If
you have suggestion please contact me.
