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Effect of Site-Neutral Payment Policy on Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Use.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To assess the projected effect of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services new site-neutral payment policy, which aims to decrease unnecessary long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) admissions by reducing reimbursements for less-ill individuals by 2020. DESIGN:Observational. SETTING:National 5% Medicare data (2011-12). MEASUREMENTS:We examined the proportion of site-neutral LTACH admissions. Regional LTACH market supply was defined as LTACH beds per 100,000 residents, categorized according to tertile. We conducted a hospital-level analysis to compare the projected effect of site-neutral payment on "propensity score" matched high- and low-LTACH-use hospitals. RESULTS:Forty-one percent of LTACH admissions would be subjected to site-neutral payment. The proportion of site-neutral admissions was large, varied considerably according to LTACH (median 40%, interquartile range 22-60%), and was only modestly greater with greater market supply (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.23, p<.001; coefficient of determination=0.10). The site-neutral payment policy would affect 47% of admissions from the highest-supply regions, versus 30% from the lowest-supply regions (p<.001); and 43% from high-use hospitals versus 36% from propensity score-matched low-use hospitals (p<.001). CONCLUSION:A considerable proportion of LTACH admissions will be subjected to lower site-neutral payments. Although the policy will disproportionately affect high-use regions and hospitals, it will also affect nearly one-third of the current LTACH population from low-use hospitals and regions. As such, the site-neutral payment policy may limit LTACH access in existing LTAC-scarce markets, with potential adverse implications for recovery of hospitalized older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2104-2111, 2018.

SUBMITTER: Makam AN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6382068 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Effect of Site-Neutral Payment Policy on Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Use.

Makam Anil N AN Nguyen Oanh Kieu OK Kirby Benjamin B Miller Michael E ME Xuan Lei L Halm Ethan A EA

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 20181003 11

<h4>Objective</h4>To assess the projected effect of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services new site-neutral payment policy, which aims to decrease unnecessary long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) admissions by reducing reimbursements for less-ill individuals by 2020.<h4>Design</h4>Observational.<h4>Setting</h4>National 5% Medicare data (2011-12).<h4>Measurements</h4>We examined the proportion of site-neutral LTACH admissions. Regional LTACH market supply was defined as LTACH beds per 10 ...[more]

PMID: 30281783

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Project description:ObjectivesTo determine why non-mechanically ventilated hospitalized older adults are transferred to long-term acute care (LTAC) hospitals rather than remaining in the hospital.DesignObservational cohort.SettingNational Medicare data.ParticipantsNon-mechanically ventilated hospitalized adults aged 65 and older with fee-for-service Medicare in 2012 who were transferred to an LTAC hospital (n=1,831) or had a prolonged hospitalization without transfer (average hospital length of stay or longer of those transferred to an LTAC hospital) and had one of the 50 most common hospital diagnoses leading to LTAC transfer (N=12,875).MeasurementsWe assessed predictors of transfer using a multilevel model, adjusting for patient-, hospital-, and hospital referral region (HRR)-level factors. We estimated proportions of variance at each level and adjusted hospital- and HRR-specific LTAC transfer rates using sequential models.ResultsThe strongest predictor of transfer was being hospitalized near an LTAC hospital (<1.4 vs > 33.6 miles, adjusted odds ratio=6.2, 95% confidence interval (CI)=4.2-9.1). After adjusting for case mix, differences between hospitals explained 15.4% of the variation in LTAC use and differences between regions explained 27.8%. Case mix-adjusted LTAC use was high in the South, where many HRRs had rates between 20.3% and 53.1%, whereas many HRRs were less than 5.4% in the Pacific Northwest, North, and New England. From our fully adjusted model, the median adjusted hospital LTAC transfer rate was 7.2% (interquartile range 2.8-17.5%), with substantial within-region variation (intraclass coefficient=0.25, 95% CI=0.21-0.30).ConclusionsNearly half of the variation in LTAC use is independent of illness severity and is explained by which hospital and what region the individual was hospitalized in. Because of the greater fragmentation of care and Medicare spending with LTAC transfers (because LTAC hospitals generate a separate bundled payment from the hospital), greater attention is needed to define the optimal role of LTAC hospitals in caring for older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2112-2119, 2018.

Project description:ObjectivesAvailability of long-term acute care hospitals has been associated with hospital discharge practices. It is unclear if long-term acute care hospital availability can influence patient care decisions. We sought to determine the association of long-term acute care hospital availability at different hospitals with the likelihood of tracheostomy.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingCalifornia Patient Discharge Database, 2016-2018.PatientsAdult patients receiving mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure.InterventionsNone.Measurements and main resultsUsing the California Patient Discharge Database 2016-2018, we identified all mechanically ventilated patients and those who received tracheostomy. We determine the association between tracheostomy and the distance between each hospital and the nearest long-term acute care hospital and the number of long-term acute care hospital beds within 20 miles of each hospital. Among 281,502 hospitalizations where a patient received mechanical ventilation, 22,899 (8.1%) received a tracheostomy. Patients admitted to a hospital closer to a long-term acute care hospital compared with those furthest from a long-term acute care hospital had 38.9% (95% CI, 33.3-44.6%) higher odds of tracheostomy (closest hospitals 8.7% vs furthest hospitals 6.3%, adjusted odds ratio = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.40-1.95). Patients had a 32.4% (95% CI, 27.6-37.3%) higher risk of tracheostomy when admitted to a hospital with more long-term acute care hospital beds in the immediate vicinity (most long-term acute care hospital beds within 20 miles 8.9% vs fewest long-term acute care hospital beds 6.7%, adjusted odds ratio = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.31-1.80). Distance to the nearest long-term acute care hospital was inversely correlated with hospital risk-adjusted tracheostomy rates (ρ = -0.25; p < 0.0001). The number of long-term acute care hospital beds within 20 miles was positively correlated with hospital risk-adjusted tracheostomy rates (ρ = 0.22; p < 0.0001).ConclusionsProximity and availability of long-term acute care hospital beds were associated with patient odds of tracheostomy and hospital tracheostomy practices. These findings suggest a hospital effect on tracheostomy decision-making over and above patient case-mix. Future studies focusing on shared decision-making for tracheostomy are needed to ensure goal-concordant care for prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Project description:Importance:Despite providing an overlapping level of care, it is unknown why hospitalized older adults are transferred to long-term acute care hospitals (LTACs) vs less costly skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for postacute care. Objective:To examine factors associated with variation in LTAC vs SNF transfer among hospitalized older adults. Design, Setting, and Participants:We conducted this retrospective observational cohort study of hospitalized older adults (≥65 years) transferred to an LTAC vs SNF during fiscal year 2012 using national 5% Medicare data. Main Outcomes and Measures:Predictors of LTAC transfer were assessed using a multilevel mixed-effects model adjusting for patient-, hospital-, and region-level factors. We estimated variation partition coefficients and adjusted hospital- and region-specific LTAC transfer rates using sequential models. Results:Among 65 525 hospitalized older adults (42 461 [64.8%] women; 39 908 [60.9%] ≥85 years) transferred to an LTAC or SNF, 3093 (4.7%) were transferred to an LTAC. We identified 29 patient-, 3 hospital-, and 5 region-level independent predictors. The strongest predictors of LTAC transfer were receiving a tracheostomy (adjusted odds ration [aOR], 23.8; 95% CI, 15.8-35.9) and being hospitalized in close proximity to an LTAC (0-2 vs >42 miles; aOR, 8.4, 95% CI, 6.1-11.5). After adjusting for case-mix, differences between patients explained 52.1% (95% CI, 47.7%-56.5%) of the variation in LTAC use. The remainder was attributable to hospital (15.0%; 95% CI, 12.3%-17.6%), and regional differences (32.9%; 95% CI, 27.6%-38.3%). Case-mix adjusted LTAC use was very high in the South (17%-37%) compared with the Pacific Northwest, North, and Northeast (<2.2%). From the full multilevel model, the median adjusted hospital LTAC transfer rate was 2.1% (10th-90th percentile, 0.24%-10.8%). Even within a region, adjusted hospital LTAC transfer rates varied substantially (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.26; 95% CI, 0.23-0.30). Conclusions and Relevance:Although many patient-level factors were associated with LTAC use, half of the variation in LTAC vs SNF transfer is independent of patients' illness severity or clinical complexity, and is explained by where the patient was hospitalized and in what region, with far greater use in the South. Even among hospitals in regions with similar LTAC access, there was considerable variation in LTAC use. Given the higher expense associated with LTACs vs SNFs, greater attention is needed to define the optimal role of LTACs in the postacute care of older adults.

Project description:ObjectiveTo examine the impact of a scaled implementation of workforce training intervention on value-based payment measures in a large home-based Medicaid managed long-term care plan population in New York.Data sourcesManaged long-term care clients' health assessments from the Uniform Assessment System of New York merged with paid claims, home health aide operational visit data, and workforce training rosters between 2018 and early-2020.Study designA quasi-experimental design was used. Exposure and control groups were constructed using the proportion of service hours delivered by trained aides between clients' baseline and follow-up/outcome assessments. Multivariate logistic generalized linear and additive models were estimated to examine associations between exposure to trained aides and value-based payment measures.Data collection/extraction methodsThe analytic sample consisted of 19,212 pairs of assessments from 13,320 long-term care clients continuously enrolled in the plan between baseline and follow-up/outcome assessments. Matched assessment pairs were 6-10 months apart.Principal findingsOver 27% of the study population (n = 3656 clients) received services from one or more of 8683 trained aides. Statistically significant associations were observed for four of seven value-based payment measures; however, the presence and magnitudes of positive training effects differed by client service needs. With covariate adjustment, workforce training had the largest estimated positive impacts on rates of flu vaccination among average-need clients (1.60%, standard error [SE] = 0.01), not experiencing uncontrolled pain among above-average-need clients (0.69%, SE = 0.001), stable/improved pain intensity among heavy-need clients (1.25%, SE = 0.01), and stable/improved shortness of breath among light-need clients (0.88%, SE = 0.003).ConclusionAlthough we found mixed associations between scaled workforce training implementation and value-based payment metrics, we noted workforce training could benefit high-need long-term care recipients. Health indicators more sensitive to the daily support provided by direct care workers should be integrated into value-based health care models.

Project description:BackgroundLong-term acute care hospital (LTACH) use varies considerably across the U.S., which may reflect uncertainty about the effectiveness of LTACHs vs. skilled nursing facilities (SNF), the principal post-acute care alternative. Given that LTACHs provide more intensive care and thus receive over triple the reimbursement of SNFs for comparable diagnoses, we sought to compare outcomes and spending between LTACH versus SNF transfer.MethodsUsing Medicare claims linked to electronic health record (EHR) data from six Texas Hospitals between 2009 and 2010, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized on a medicine service in a high-LTACH use region and discharged to either an LTACH or SNF and followed for one year. The primary outcomes included mortality, 60-day recovery without inpatient care, days at home, and healthcare spending RESULTS: Of 3503 patients, 18% were transferred to an LTACH. Patients transferred to LTACHs were younger (median 71 vs. 82 years), less likely to be female (50.5 vs 66.6%) and white (69.0 vs. 84.1%), but were sicker (24.3 vs. 14.2% for prolonged intensive care unit stay; median diagnosis resource intensity weight of 2.03 vs. 1.38). In unadjusted analyses, patients transferred to an LTACH vs. SNF were less likely to survive (59.1 vs. 65.0%) or recover (62.5 vs 66.0%), and spent fewer days at home (186 vs. 200). Adjusting for demographic and clinical confounders available in Medicare claims and EHR data, LTACH transfer was not significantly associated with differences in mortality (HR, 1.12, 95% CI, 0.94-1.33), recovery (SHR, 1.07, 0.93-1.23), and days spent at home (IRR, 0.96, 0.83-1.10), but was associated with greater Medicare spending ($16,689 for one year, 95% CI, $12,216-$21,162).ConclusionLTACH transfer for Medicare beneficiaries is associated with similar clinical outcomes but with higher healthcare spending compared to SNF transfer. LTACH use should be reserved for patients who require complex inpatient care and cannot be cared for in SNFs.

Project description:The sustainability of long-term care (LTC) is a prominent policy priority in many Western countries. LTC is one of the most pressing fiscal issues for the growing population of elderly people in the European Union (EU) Member States. Country recommendations regarding LTC are prominent under the EU's European Semester.This paper examines challenges related to the financial- and organizational sustainability of LTC systems in the EU. We combined a targeted literature review and a descriptive selected country analysis of: (1) public- and private funding; (2) informal care and externalities; and (3) the possible role of technology in increasing productivity. Countries were selected via purposive sampling to establish a cohort of country cases covering the spectrum of differences in LTC systems: public spending, private funding, informal care use, informal care support, and cash benefits.The aging of the population, the increasing gap between availability of informal care and demand for LTC, substantial market failures of private funding for LTC, and fiscal imbalances in some countries, have led to structural reforms and enduring pressures for LTC policy-makers across the EU. Our exploration of national policies illustrates different solutions that attempt to promote fairness while stimulating efficient delivery of services. Important steps must be taken to address the sustainability of LTC. First, countries should look deeper into the possibilities of complementing public- and private funding, as well as at addressing market failures of private funding. Second, informal care externalities with spill-over into neighboring policy areas, the labor force, and formal LTC workers, should be properly addressed. Thirdly, innovations in LTC services should be stimulated to increase productivity through technology and process innovations, and to reduce costs.The analysis shows why it is difficult for EU Member State governments to meet all their goals for sustainable LTC, given the demographic- and fiscal circumstances, and the complexities of LTC systems. It also shows the usefulness to learn from policy design and implementation of LTC policy in other countries, within and outside the EU. Researchers can contribute by studying conditions, under which the strategies explored might deliver solutions for policy-makers.

Dataset Information

Effect of Site-Neutral Payment Policy on Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Use.

Publications

Effect of Site-Neutral Payment Policy on Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Use.

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