Medicare Bundled Payments for Post-Acute Care: Characteristics and Baseline Performance of Participating Skilled...

Medicare bundled payment models have focused on post-acute care as a key component of improving the efficiency and quality of health care. This study investigated the characteristics and baseline performance of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that participated in Medicare Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative Model 3. As of July 2016, 657 SNFs participated in 7,932 episodes in risk-bearing phase. Our retrospective analyses found that larger facilities, higher occupancy rate, chain affiliation, better five-star overall rating, and higher market competition for SNF care were associated with increased likelihood of enrolling in clinical episodes in Model 3, whereas not-for-profit ownership, higher adjusted staffing levels, higher percentage of Medicaid residents, and rural location were associated with reduced likelihood of participation in Bundled Payments for Care Improvement. Policy makers should consider approaches to encourage participation of post-acute care providers in this voluntary program and evaluate its impact on patient selection, cost of care, and health outcomes.