As CEO of Zimmet Healthcare Services Group, Marc Zimmet has spent decades analyzing the skilled nursing industry and developing solutions for post-acute care operators. An expert in reimbursement, compliance, and strategy, Zimmet takes the Hot Seat to share some of details around how he came to the industry, his favorite destination when he’s not analyzing post-acute care activity, his advice for one thing all skilled nursing professionals can do to improve the patient experience, and more.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I love the morning but too often lost in the night.
What is your personal mantra?
I’m capable of only two forms of expression: Brutal honesty and silence.
What is your favorite weekend activity?
Tending to my garden and fruit trees
What’s your favorite destination worldwide?
Asbury Park, NJ. Yep, That’s my brutally honest answer.
What’s the emoji you use most often?
I don’t understand this question.
What was your first job and what was your biggest on-the-job lesson from that experience?
I was an assistant on a desk that traded Latin American debt for a major bank. I learned that I had no interest in a career trading Latin American debt for a major bank. Made me realize that work must have a purpose consistent with my values.
If you could change one thing about the skilled nursing payment landscape, what would it be?
This is like asking if I could only have one kind of food for the rest of my life… I would rationalize the entire payment model. At this point, that would require tearing the whole thing down and rebuilding. That’s not going to happen, so I’d start with provider protections in Medicare Advantage.
What would you say to someone who said working in health care is boring?
Not everyone can be a fighter pilot.
What’s one thing all skilled nursing professionals can to do improve the patient experience?
Act as if every patient is one of your parents.
If you were recruiting someone to join the industry for the first time, what are three words you would use to describe the skilled nursing industry?
“Challenging. Under-appreciated. Gratifying.” More importantly, I’d say if you’re not interested in improving the industry, try another line of work. I’d recommend trading Latin American debt for a major bank.