LeadingAge Washington Hires David Carter & Promotes Alyssa Odegaard

LeadingAge Washington Hires David Carter & Promotes Alyssa Odegaard

As the health care system continues to change in new and challenging ways, we are making changes here at the office to provide you with the expertise and resources needed to support you and the mission of your organizations.  Please read the following exciting announcements that bring added value to your membership with LeadingAge Washington.

David Carter Hired as Director Health Care Finance & Policy

David Carter, Washington State’s MDS Coordinator, has accepted a position with LeadingAge Washington, as Director, Health Care Finance & Policy.  David will begin his work with us on December 2, 2019

Many of you are familiar with David through his work with the state assisting you and your staff to understand the technical MDS completion and transmission requirements important in determining resident care needs, acuity and payment.  While effectively advising the state and providers in these aspects of compliance with CMS, he also understands how coding and case mix translate to and impact dually eligible residents that also effect Medicaid payment.  David will continue to use this knowledge now to benefit LeadingAge members. 

Additionally and importantly, David will guide LeadingAge in the coming months as we transition from RUGs IV to a modified Medicaid payment system to incorporate and make sense of the PDPM system and its acuity data as members strive to achieve optimal payment.  Through David, members will access immediate support in understanding both PDPM and subsequent implications/changes to the Medicaid payment system, serving as a resource to you and your clinical team.  

Perhaps not as familiar to you is David’s work beginning in 2008 as a cost reimbursement analyst and ProviderOne IT technical analyst until he assumed his position as MDS Coordinator in 2015.  Through these roles, David has gained an understanding of the SNF payment system as it has evolved and he is keenly aware of the importance of coding and case mix in establishing rates. 

With his accounting and business background, David will quickly grasp the Assisted Living and Adult Day rate methodologies, including the CARES based assessment tool, and provide both policy and data analytic-based guidance to LeadingAge and its members on these important issues as well. 

David holds a B.A in University Studies with a Minor in Business Management from Brigham Young University.  His education includes a focus in Business Economics and Accounting. 

As of December 2nd, you may reach David by email at dcarter@leadingagewa.org or by calling the office at 253 964-8870. 

When you have a moment, please join me in welcoming David to LeadingAge Washington.  I know he looks forward to supporting each of you and serving as a resource on all things SNF, AL and Adult Day payment.

Alyssa Odegaard Promoted to Vice President Public Policy

Alyssa Odegaard (married name, was Schnitzuis) has become Vice President, Public Policy and will carry out the legislative and regulatory needs of the association and its members under my direction.   Alyssa will continue to serve as lead on Housing, Adult Day, and Assisted Living legislative and regulatory matters.  She will continue to work with me to expand her legislative visibility and advocacy role on SNF issues. 

Policy Team ~How it All Works

Laura will continue to lead and support members with SNF regulatory survey and compliance issues and on workforce.  David will be lead on the Nursing Home Cabinet which largely focuses on SNF payment issues.  He will work closely with Alyssa providing support on AL and Adult Day payment issues, as Alyssa continues as lead on the Assisted Living and Adult Day Cabinets.  David will also provide data analytic and policy research support to Laura and Alyssa on workforce, CMS 5 Star, and other quality measures for both SNF Medicaid payment as well as assisted living, if/as this develops.  I will continue as lead on LPC/CCRC issues.

Should you have questions or any comments, please don’t hesitate to pass them along.

Deb Murphy | Chief Executive Officer
p: 253.964.8870 |