Medicaid Long-Term Care Expenditures in Fiscal Year 2000

Abstract Background Japan, with the oldest population in the world, faces a financial challenge caused by rising long-term care (LTC) expenditure. For policymakers to address this, it is important that we have a better understanding of how individual and regional characteristics affect LTC expenditure. Methods We linked national LTC insurance (LTCI) claim data, covering the entire population who used LTCI services in Japan, with municipality data on an individual level. Individuals 65 years and older (n=3 876 068) who had used LTCI benefits at least once in the fiscal year (FY) 2016 were included. We examined the associations of individual and municipality characteristics regarding supply and demand of healthcare with the LTC expenditures on facility care, home and community care, and total care (the sum of both types of care), after adjusting for regional differences in LTC extra charges. Results The following variables were associated with higher total expenditure; at the individual level: female, a higher care-need level, a lower income (0% co-payments) or a facility service user; at the municipality level: municipalities locating in metropolitan areas, with a higher proportion of single elderly households, more doctors per 1000 citizens, more nursing homes per 100 000 LTC benefit users or more outpatient medical spending per citizen ≥75 years old. Conclusions As we are able to identify several individual and municipality characteristics associated with higher LTC expenditure in Japan, the study offers insights into dealing with the rapidly growing LTC expenditure.

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Attending Nurse Practitioners in Long-Term Care Homes Evaluation

International Journal for Population Data Science ◽

10.23889/ijpds.v3i4.965 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Danielle Fearon ◽

Refik Saskin ◽

Lisa Ishiguro ◽

Erin Graves

Keyword(s):

Nurse Practitioners ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Research Question ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

Fiscal Year ◽

Local Health ◽

Term Care ◽

The Impact

IntroductionIn 2014, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) announced funding for 75 nurse practitioners (NPs) over three years in long-term care (LTC) homes. This evaluation was approved by ICES’ Applied Health Research Question (AHRQ) team, a portfolio which answers questions from stakeholders having impact on healthcare policy. Objectives and ApproachThe purpose of this project is to evaluate the impact of the first thirty NPs hired. Changes will be evaluated using key outcome measures of resident care (e.g., early hospital discharge, emergency room bed days) identified through a literature review conducted by the MOHLTC. LTC home residents were identified using all individuals with claims in OHIP during the 2016-17 fiscal year with a location of a LTC home. LTC homes with a hired NP were considered to be cases and all other LTC homes were considered to be controls. ResultsFor part one of this evaluation, case and control LTC homes were stratified by bed size, Case Mix Index, rurality and Local Health Integration Network. Hospitalization records and emergency visits (from Discharge Abstract Database and National Ambulatory Care Reporting System) were determined for LTCH residents 6 months before and after the NP hire date of October 1, 2016. Overall, the rate of hospital admissions (per 100 residents) increased by 3.44% (8.51% to 11.94%) following the NP hire date; whereas, the rate of hospital admissions increased by 2.29% (6.55% to 8.83%) among controls. Following the NP hire date, the rate of emergency department visits also increased by 3.15% among cases (16.62% to 19.77%) in comparison to a 2.31% increase among controls (12.55% to 14.86%). Conclusion/ImplicationsThe findings from this evaluation will inform further implementation strategies of the NP program and guide decision-making of future funding opportunities. In summary, the results will inform policies to strengthen care of LTC homes and improve the quality of care of residents.

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HOSPICE VISIT INTENSITY BY PHYSICIANS AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS ON THE GENERAL INPATIENT LEVEL OF CARE

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.021 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S7-S7

Author(s):

Thomas J Christian ◽

Joan Teno ◽

Pedro L Gozalo ◽

Michael Plotzke

Keyword(s):

Nurse Practitioner ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Skilled Nursing Facilities ◽

Fiscal Year ◽

Level Of Care ◽

Nursing Facilities ◽

Term Care ◽

Skilled Nursing ◽

Inpatient Units

Abstract The Medicare Hospice Benefit’s General Inpatient (GIP) level of care provides short-term services for pain and symptom management in an inpatient facility that cannot be managed in the patient’s home. Relatively little is known about how beneficiaries utilize services during GIP care. Among a cohort of Medicare hospice beneficiaries utilizing GIP during Federal Fiscal Year 2014 (FY2014), we used 100% Medicare hospice and Part B claims to identify physician and nurse practitioner services concurrent with GIP dates. We estimated logistic regression models to determine the likelihood a beneficiary never receives physician or nurse practitioner services. We found that among the 1.5 million GIP days serviced in FY2014, more than half (52.4%) lacked any recorded physician or nurse practitioner services. Absence rates for these services were particularly high among hospice GIP days provided in inpatient facilities (69.1% missing services), long-term care hospitals (84.3% missing services), and skilled nursing facilities (85.3% missing services). Moreover, one in five hospice episodes having at least three sequential GIP days lacked any physician or nurse practitioner services. Relative to hospice inpatient units, rates of absence were higher among episodes beginning in long-term care hospitals [59.3% long-term care hospital vs. 11.5% hospice inpatient units; AOR 9.65 95% CI 7.47-12.46] and skilled nursing facilities [51.3% skilled nursing facility vs. 11.5% hospice inpatient units; AOR 5.98, 95% CI 5.63-6.36]. More in depth research and monitoring is needed to further understand dimensions of GIP care provision, to ensure that hospice beneficiaries are receiving adequate services regardless of their inpatient setting.

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Working With Resistance and Encouraging Buy-In to New Programs

Perspectives on Gerontology ◽

10.1044/gero16.1.18 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 18-21

Author(s):

Sara Joffe

Keyword(s):

Long Term Care ◽

Term Care ◽

Optimal Outcomes ◽

Speech Language Pathologist

In order to best meet the needs of older residents in long-term care settings, clinicians often develop programs designed to streamline and improve care. However, many individuals are reluctant to embrace change. This article will discuss strategies that the speech-language pathologist (SLP) can use to assess and address the source of resistance to new programs and thereby facilitate optimal outcomes.

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Feeding Dependency Issues in the Long-Term Care Environment

Perspectives on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) ◽

10.1044/sasd10.1.19 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 19-24

Author(s):

Carol Winchester ◽

Cathy Pelletier ◽

Pete Johnson

Keyword(s):

Long Term Care ◽

Term Care ◽

Care Environment

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Communication Disordered: Program Implementation in Long-Term Care

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp1.sig15.64 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (15) ◽

pp. 64-67

Author(s):

George Barnes ◽

Joseph Salemi

Keyword(s):

Program Implementation ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Family Satisfaction ◽

Regulatory Compliance ◽

Care Staff ◽

Term Care ◽

Staff Members ◽

Change Policy

The organizational structure of long-term care (LTC) facilities often removes the rehab department from the interdisciplinary work culture, inhibiting the speech-language pathologist's (SLP's) communication with the facility administration and limiting the SLP's influence when implementing clinical programs. The SLP then is unable to change policy or monitor the actions of the care staff. When the SLP asks staff members to follow protocols not yet accepted by facility policy, staff may be unable to respond due to confusing or conflicting protocol. The SLP needs to involve members of the facility administration in the policy-making process in order to create successful clinical programs. The SLP must overcome communication barriers by understanding the needs of the administration to explain how staff compliance with clinical goals improves quality of care, regulatory compliance, and patient-family satisfaction, and has the potential to enhance revenue for the facility. By taking this approach, the SLP has a greater opportunity to increase safety, independence, and quality of life for patients who otherwise may not receive access to the appropriate services.

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