LTC 2009 Outlook
There appears to be some good, bad and indifferent news for long-term care in the year to come. The Noblis Center for Health Innovation has published its predictions of the top five post-acute trends in health care for 2009:
- Despite continuing economic pressures, most post-acute programs should remain profitable while acute care margins continue to slip into negative territory.
- Though on hold until at least February 2009 while the Government Accounting Office (GAO) reviews protests about the RAC contractor selection process, it is expected that the RAC program and audits will be restored in 2009. At that time, RAC audits will continue to pressure post-acute providers to demonstrate and document appropriateness of care and will deny payment to those who fail to meet these criteria.
- Access to capital will limit the ability of many providers to invest heavily in facilities and major equipment, requiring post-acute providers to identify alternative ways to meet growth needs.
- Plans for payment reform will continue to focus on post-acute care and patients with chronic conditions.
- Demand for post-acute care will continue to increase as the population ages and acute care providers trim operational costs through reduced length of stay.
To read the full report, go to www.noblis.org/Healthcare.