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Reforming home health care
1Baird, Kurtz and Dobson, Kansas City, MO, USA.
Summary
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 is changing Medicare payments for home health agencies, requiring them to adapt operations. Agencies must become more cost-conscious due to new payment systems and managed care.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Health Policy
- Public Health
Background:
- The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 introduced significant changes to Medicare payments for home health agencies.
- Current limitations include an interim payment system, with a prospective payment system authorized for future implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 on home health agencies.
- To examine the necessity for organizational restructuring in response to new payment models and managed care.
Main Methods:
- Policy analysis of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
- Review of the influence of managed care on healthcare providers.
Main Results:
- New Medicare payment systems (interim and prospective) are creating financial pressures.
- Managed care's increasing influence necessitates operational and philosophical shifts.
Conclusions:
- Home health agencies face critical decisions regarding organizational restructuring.
- Adapting to a cost-conscious environment is essential for survival and success under the new healthcare landscape.