English
en EspaņolPress Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Additional Information:
Joshua Mansbach
KNB Communications, LLC
Tel: 212.505.2441
Fax: 212.505.0698
jmansbach@knbpr.com
INDEPENDENT STUDY
ON U.S. NURSING HOMES
FINDS THAT INADEQUATE MEDICAID REIMBURSMENT
IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO RESIDENT HARM
MyZiva.Net Analyzes the Government's Own Data
(Lake Success, New York) -- (September 29, 2003) -- MyZiva.Net has conducted a study revealing that government fiscal and regulatory policies have become a major contributing factor to deficient Nursing Home care. This study addresses the sobering dilemma faced by the government: How can it justify holding Nursing Home providers solely accountable for providing poor care, when inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates and excessive and over burdensome regulation are significant contributing factors to low staffing levels and the harm caused to our nation's nursing home residents?
"Thorough analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) data shows how current staffing and Medicaid policies are negatively impacting resident quality of care, as well as the Nursing Homes' ability to provide care which exceeds standards," says Robert Abrams, MyZiva founder and CEO, in his study presented at the 2003 National Association of Sub-Acute and Post-Acute Care (NASPAC) Conference. "The government has imposed a series of policies, which lack a cohesive structure and will do more to impede care than ensure the well-being of residents."
Abrams, a renowned elder law attorney, author and former Chair of the New York State Bar Association's Health and Elder Law Sections, was inspired to analyze the relationship between Medicaid reimbursement rates and quality of care after attending the July 17, 2003 hearing before the United States Senate Committee on Finance, entitled "Nursing Home Quality Revisited: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." Abrams evaluated data released by the CMS detailing Survey (Inspection) reports and Overall Staffing Level ratios for Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), against Medicaid Nursing Facility Average Per Diem Payment Rates for the years 2001-2002.
Study results detail the strong correlation between staffing levels and Medicaid reimbursement, and its impact on facility performance. Nursing Homes in states with the least amount of Medicaid reimbursement tended to have staffing levels substantially lower than the national average of 3.84 nursing hours per day. Further analysis determined that of the 20 states with the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the nation, approximately 77 percent of their Nursing Homes had staffing levels below the national average. Additionally, all of the top 11 states with the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates have a significantly greater percentage of Nursing Facilities with staffing levels below 3.84, as compared to the national average of 67.5 percent; some reaching frightening levels in excess of 80 percent.
These findings, among many others detailed in the study, support an obvious conclusion that current Medicaid reimbursement is insufficient to pay for the cost of quality care that most Americans would accept for themselves or their loved ones.
The MyZiva Report, "GOVERNMENT DILEMMA: How The Government's Own Data Exposes A Direct Correlation Between Inadequate Medicaid Reimbursement, Low Staffing Levels, Excessive Regulation And The Harm Caused To Nursing Home Residents," discusses the extensive findings of the study and sets forth recommendations for government action. A complete copy of MyZiva's study is available for free by clicking here or on www.myziva.net.
# # #
About MyZiva
MyZiva is the leading provider of informative content and government data for consumers and providers of nursing home care. MyZiva.com offers nursing facilities the necessary tools and technology to deliver quality care, both efficiently and cost-effectively. MyZiva.net gives consumers and healthcare professionals the opportunity to compare quality issues and other relevant data, to make informed choices about nursing facility placement. These components form a powerful resource that merges all aspects of the nursing home community and facilitates accomplishment of a common goal – meeting the needs of residents and providers.
MyZiva.net provides complete analysis of approximately 17,000 nursing homes throughout the United States. Corporate headquarters are located at 1111 Marcus Avenue – Suite 105, Lake Success, NY 11042. Telephone 516.616.9600, fax 516.696.9306, or email info@myziva.net for more information. MyZiva is accessible via the Internet at www.myziva.com and www.myziva.net.