Management of SNF beds in a group model HMO

The appropriate use of alternatives to the acute care hospital is an essential component of the HMO's ability to manage utilization. The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) can be a particularly useful and flexible alternative. The present article describes how Fallon Community Health Plan, a 130,000-member group model HMO that includes a 16,000-member Medicare risk contract known as Senior Plan, integrates SNFs into its overall delivery of patient care. The article discusses the types of patients admitted, reasons for admission, types of services provided, and outcomes. The article also discusses the continuing evolution of the HMO's use of the SNF in patient care management.