Post by pavel on Jan 26, 2016 17:23:28 GMT -6
STEREOTYPES about government inanity exist for a reason. Consider this: Two entities providing the exact same service to elderly patients are paid different prices under Medicare and Medicaid. This reality suggests partnerships between Oklahoma's nursing homes and hospitals could generate up to $275 million in additional federal funding. But reaping that money will require rule changes at the state level, a loss of control for nursing home operators, and potentially increased liability for participating hospitals.
Even so, the idea is gaining traction.
In Oklahoma, roughly 70 percent of nursing home patients are on Medicaid. The rates for this state-federal program are fairly low, and nursing home officials say they lose an average of $13 per patient, per day, when they accept a Medicaid patient.
Meanwhile, Medicare pays a higher rate for treating the same nursing home patients. Under the government's convoluted regulations, a nursing home that is owned by a hospital can receive the Medicare rate. An independent nursing home cannot, and must make do with the lower Medicaid rate.
Read more: newsok.com/nursing-home-rule-change-is-worthy-of-consideration/article/5474163
Even so, the idea is gaining traction.
In Oklahoma, roughly 70 percent of nursing home patients are on Medicaid. The rates for this state-federal program are fairly low, and nursing home officials say they lose an average of $13 per patient, per day, when they accept a Medicaid patient.
Meanwhile, Medicare pays a higher rate for treating the same nursing home patients. Under the government's convoluted regulations, a nursing home that is owned by a hospital can receive the Medicare rate. An independent nursing home cannot, and must make do with the lower Medicaid rate.
Read more: newsok.com/nursing-home-rule-change-is-worthy-of-consideration/article/5474163