New Study Shows Nursing Facility Providers to Receive Lump of Coal this Christmas Due to Medicaid Shortfalls

[LTCCareer.com]

Medicaid Shorts Nursing Facilities by $6.3 Billion in 2011

Claire Navaro 202-898-6317

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12/15/2011

Washington, DC – A lump of coal is what nursing facility providers should expect this Christmas from Medicaid, according to a new projection of payments nationwide. A study released by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) today predicts the shortfall in Medicaid funding for seniors’ long term care needs will reach $6.3 billion in 2011. Additional analysis in the report shows the projected national average shortfall equates to a $19.55 per patient per day loss – up from the $16.54 per patient per day loss in 2009. For the average 100-bed nursing facility where approximately 63 percent of residents rely on Medicaid, this shortfall translates into an additional cost of $1,230 per day more than is reimbursed by Medicaid to care for those residents.

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