As more states transition to PDPM for Medicaid, therapy is no longer the primary driver of case mix index (CMI). So where do providers turn next?

In this episode, Melissa Brown, COO of Gravity Healthcare Consulting, sits down with Dr. Rehan Shah, nephrologist and co-founder of CardioRenal Vision (CRV), to explore how cardiology, nephrology, and pulmonology services can transform PDPM Medicaid outcomes.

Together, they discuss:

• Why therapy-driven CMIs are declining under PDPM Medicaid
• How specialty physician programs improve documentation, acuity capture, and reimbursement accuracy
• The power of on-site care models—from dialysis to respiratory therapy—to reduce hospitalizations and boost CMI
• Practical steps for aligning physicians, MDS coordinators, and facility leadership

If your organization is preparing for PDPM Medicaid—or already navigating the transition—this episode offers actionable insights to help you strengthen performance, accuracy, and margins under the new model.

🎧 Hosted by: Melissa Brown, COO, Gravity Healthcare Consulting
📍 Guest: Dr. Rehan Shah, Co-Founder, CardioRenal Vision

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What happens when you bring together seniors and young adults with special needs under one roof? In this episode, Melissa Brown sits down with Chiriga Ofori, CEO of Kinbridge at Oviedo, to explore her groundbreaking intergenerational assisted living model.

Chiriga shares how her personal journey as a caregiver inspired her to reimagine senior living, blending wisdom, energy, and support across generations. From creating meaningful connections and combating isolation to making the greenhouse small-home model operationally sustainable, she reveals how Kinbridge is building true community.

If you’re a senior living operator, healthcare professional, or just curious about new approaches to person-centered care, you’ll walk away with insights, inspiration, and practical advice.

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In this second half of our deep dive, Melissa Brown, COO of Gravity Consulting, continues her conversation with Melissa Keiter on the critical challenges—and opportunities—of PDPM Medicaid.

This episode unpacks real-world strategies for facilities navigating the transition, from documentation pitfalls and audit risks to proactive coordination across nursing, MDS, therapy, and ancillary partners. You’ll hear insights on:

• Why supportive documentation is more important than ever
• How respiratory therapy, wound care, and psychological services can strengthen your PDPM scores
• The role of coordination between MDS, clinicians, and outside specialists
• Why a proactive, team-based mindset is essential to avoid leaving dollars—and care opportunities—on the table

Whether your state has already transitioned or is still under a rate freeze, this episode will help you prepare your staff, adjust your systems, and avoid the financial and operational risks of falling behind the curve.

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The clock is ticking. With the mandatory transition to PDPM Medicaid coming October 1st, many providers are still unprepared—and it’s already impacting their margins.

In this episode, Melissa Brown is joined by Melissa Keiter, MDS expert and Lead Consultant for Nursing Services at Gravity Consulting, to break down the real-world implications of this sweeping policy shift. From reimbursement cuts to team readiness, they explore why relying on therapy-driven documentation is no longer enough—and what nursing homes must do to avoid sinking under PDPM Medicaid.

You’ll learn:

• Why some facilities are already losing $5–$15 per patient per day
• How Section GG impacts your bottom line—and why nurse aides hold the key
• What to do if your state is including therapy in the Medicaid rate
• Tactical strategies for nursing-only states
• How to prepare your entire care team—from dietitians to social workers

This is part one of a two-part series. Don’t miss this critical conversation designed to help you protect your CMI and stay financially afloat during the transition.

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In this episode, Melissa Brown sits down with Dr. Carol McKinley, President and CEO of Simpson Senior Services, for a powerful conversation about how senior living providers can use AI to revolutionize care delivery.

Dr. McKinley shares her deeply personal journey into senior care, the inspiration behind her passion for innovation, and how Simpson is using AMBA’s passive AI monitoring to spot critical health changes before they become emergencies.

You’ll hear how this technology is:

• Reducing falls and hospital visits
• Supporting frontline staff through real-time alerts
• Improving family communication and resident confidence
• Making data meaningful—even for non-clinical leaders

Plus, learn how Simpson’s unique Tech Bar is empowering residents to take ownership of their health and wellbeing through hands-on access to smart health tools.

If you’ve been burned by AI that promised everything and delivered little, this episode will restore your faith in what’s possible when technology is built for senior care instead of added onto it.

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Episode 56: Will AI Replace Humans in Healthcare? A Candid Discussion with Jeff Robinson

In this episode, Melissa Brown, COO of Gravity Consulting, sits down with Jeff Robinson, founder of Senior Wellness Solutions, to tackle one of the most controversial questions in healthcare today: Will AI replace humans?

Together, they explore how AI is already reshaping senior care, why the real threat isn’t the technology itself but resistance to change, and how smart integration of AI can actually empower healthcare workers—not replace them. Jeff shares powerful examples from real-world senior living and home health settings, highlighting both the opportunities and risks AI presents.

If you're a healthcare executive, operator, or clinician wondering how to navigate AI without losing the human touch, this conversation is a must-listen.

🔹 How to evaluate AI platforms for your organization
🔹 Why human oversight remains essential
🔹 The future of AI in healthcare over the next 5–10 years
🔹 How the next generation of caregivers is already embracing innovation

Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode packed with actionable insights!

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In this episode of Gravity Healthcare Hacks, host Melissa Brown, COO of Gravity Healthcare Consulting, tackles the ongoing debate around telehealth—and why it's time for Congress to stop extending it six months at a time and make it permanent.

Melissa shares personal and professional insights on the value of telehealth in clinical care, therapy, and everyday life. She makes the case for equal reimbursement, explains why telehealth doesn’t necessarily save money for providers, and calls on listeners to join the push for lasting policy change.

If you believe in more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered care, this episode is for you.

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Episode 54: AI—Advantage or Danger in Healthcare?

In this episode of Gravity Healthcare Hacks, host Melissa Brown (COO of Gravity Healthcare Consulting) welcomes Richard “RJ” Kedziora, co-founder and CEO of Estenda Solutions, to discuss the game-changing potential—and possible pitfalls—of AI in healthcare.

With a background in software development and a long-standing passion for artificial intelligence (stretching back to the 1980s!), RJ brings a wealth of experience on how new and emerging AI tools can transform clinical workflows.

Together, they explore how generative AI eases the documentation burden, the nuances of using AI as a “second opinion,” and why human oversight is still crucial for patient safety.

RJ also highlights real-world examples of AI in areas like diabetes management, medical imaging, and remote patient monitoring—technologies that can help seniors age in place while preserving autonomy.

If you’re curious about how to get started with AI, what to watch out for, and where digital health might be headed, this conversation offers practical tips and exciting insights.

Tune in to learn how you can harness AI’s power without sacrificing the personal touch that quality care demands.

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