GWU releases preliminary findings of phase II IPS study
GWU releases preliminary findings of phase II IPS study
By MATTHEW HAY
HHBR Washington Correspondent
WASHINGTON The George Washington University’s (GWU) Center for Health Services Research last week released preliminary findings of the second phase of its study on the impact of the interim payment system (IPS) on beneficiary access to Medicare home health services. According to the study, 62.5% of hospital discharge planners reported increased difficulty in initial placement of Medicare beneficiaries in home care. About half of the hospitals surveyed estimated increases in hospital length of stay resulting from these difficulties.
According to the latest findings, discharge planners say difficulty in placement is almost always found among patients with short-term, high-intensity needs; patients requiring two visits per day; patients requiring more complex wound care; and patients suffering from chronic illnesses, such as chronic obstructive pulmory disease, congestive heart failure, and diabetes.
GWU’s Barbara Smith released the findings of the initial study earlier this year in what was widely considered to be the most comprehensive examination of the impact of IPS to date. GWU researchers noted that the findings of this phase of the study, which surveyed 40 hospital discharge planners in eight states, are limited to beneficiaries seeking home care immediately after a hospitalization.
This phase of the study also found that 48% of respondents reported increased readmissions to the hospital among beneficiaries initially discharged to the home, almost always attributed to insufficient duration and intensity of care.
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