New Study Raises ‘Important’ Questions About Differences In Post-Acute Care Utilization Between FFS Medicare, MA Beneficiaries

Home Health Care News August 18, 2023
Robert Holly

An extensive body of research exists highlighting the differences in post-acute care utilization between fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries and those enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA).

Generally, that research has suggested that MA enrollees utilize post-acute care services less than their FFS counterparts, often with either better or equal health outcomes. A study published Friday in JAMA Health Forum questions that idea, however.

“These findings highlight the importance of assessing patient-reported outcomes, especially as MA and other payment models seek to reduce inefficient use of post-acute care services,” the study’s authors wrote.

Post-acute care includes services delivered by skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and home health agencies, in addition to long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) and inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs). In the home...

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