The underlying issue is the financial challenges and lack of resources SNF’s face, in a growing elder population, that results in razor-thin operating margins from a series of cuts over the last five years, a gap between care people receive and the care they deserve and further reductions to the profession that threaten access to health care in rural areas (AHCA, 2016). In 2012, MedPAC estimated the overall operating margins of SNF’s at 1.8 percent reflecting Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Pay sources of funding operating at negative levels (AHCA, & NCAL, 2016). In addition, AHCA estimated on any given day, 78 percent of residents receiving care in an SNF depend on Medicare or Medicaid to pay for their care (2016). Furthermore, an estimated …show more content…
The Federal Government matches Medicaid dollars,however on the low end it’s merely 50 percent of costs and on the high end up to 65 percent of costs (Eljay, LLC., & Hansen Hunter & Company, PC., 2016). A Report on Shortfalls in Medicaid Funding for Nursing Center Care estimated the shortfall in 2015 for Medicaid payments was 11.8 percent, an estimated net margin(shortfall) of $7.02 billion dollars (2016). In prior years Medicaid shortfall estimated; $6 billion in 2010, $7 billion in 2011, $7 billion in 2012, and $7.7 billion in 2013; resulting in an estimated shortfall of $34.72 billion from 2010-2015 (excluding 2014 data, info not available) (AHCA, 2016).
Next, are the Medicare cuts that have taken place over the last 5 years, 2010-2015. The overall estimated cuts from Medicare include the following types of cuts; Affordable Care Act Productivity Adjustment, Sequestration, Bad Debt, Therapy MPPR Cuts, Regulatory Changes(Forecast Error Cut), and Regulatory Changes(Payment Formula Changes) combined equal an estimated Medicare cut of $27.35 billion (AHCA,
One of this health care’s programs objective is to limit the number of uninsured (Shi & Singh, 2015). This controversial healthcare plan incorporates a privately funded insurance which is paid for through employment and solely by the patient and a publicly funded insurance by the government. Medicare is provided for senior citizens 65 and older, and Medicaid is provided for low income citizens. The federal government and state government both partake in the funding of Medicaid. Although insurance is provided to the low income through Medicaid, the United States continues to suffer from cost escalation spending 17.1 percent of GDP on healthcare in 2013, a 50 percent more than the second nation (Commonwealth, n.d.) The high cost and limited coverage continues to spark up the conversation for a
Unfortunately, in recent years the cost of providing these traditional services has grown to a point that the programs set in place to care for seniors and chronically ill patients has undergone numerous cuts. This calls into question are the standards of care that nursing facilities provide being cut to compensate for these changes in the rate paid.
The Federal government will be paying the state “ most of the costs for covering the new eligible: 100 % of the Medicaid costs for newly eligible clients for the first three fiscal years 2014 to 2016, and declining to 90% in 2020” (North Carolina Institute of Medicine, 2014, p. 2). The Affordable Care act also funded North Carolina for Prevention and Public heath Trust for promoting prevention, wellness, and public health, “ACA granted $750 million in FY 2011 increasing to dollar two billion in FY 2015 and each year thereafter” (Silberman, 2013, p 28). According to Middle Class Tax Relief and Job creation Act 2012, “the cut $6.25 billion over 9 years”, the fund instead of reach dollar two billion in 2015, it will reach it only in 2022 and the funds will remain at one billion until 2018 (Silberman, 2013, p 28).
Raymond, a 78-year-old man living in a motel, is found by the housekeeper lying on the floor of his room, semiconscious. The motel manager calls 911, and Raymond is taken to the closest emergency room, where he lies on a gurney in the hallway for 6 hours before a physician examines him. Because it is unclear what is wrong with him and he cannot speak coherently, the physician admits him to the hospital for observation. Later, when it is determined that he had suffered a stroke; he is discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility that has no knowledge of his medical history including his current medications for hypertension and high cholesterol. He dies there several weeks later.
Since 1965, Medicare has been attempting to provide low cost, guaranteed access to much needed healthcare for senior citizens over the age of 65 and other age groups that suffer from disabilities and terminal diseases. These people represent some of the most vulnerable population groups in the United States. Most do not work, and rely on Medicare to provide them the access to healthcare they need. Unlike privatized health insurance companies, Medicare is a social insurance program that is paid for through federal mandates and tax payer funds. Billions of dollars are spent annually on over 50 million Americans in need (Alonso-Zaldivar 1). The care structure itself is broken into several main parts: Medicare Part A covers hospital costs, Part B cover most outpatient care costs, and Part C and D cover prescription drug costs through dealing with other private insurance. Yet, the upcoming election in November is threatening to change and alter the structure. Each candidate has his own plan to deal with Medicare; both are trying to reign in the costs of operating Medicare, but with some elements being obviously more beneficial for Medicare recipients than others.
Throughout the early 1980’s and 1990’s the Federal Medicaid program was challenged by rapidly rising Medicaid program costs and an increasing number of uninsured population. One of the primary reasons for the overall increase in healthcare costs is the
One of the major functions of a nurse manager is managing a budget and allocating resources necessary to manage the unit or facility effectively. “Major steps in the budgeting process include gathering information and planning, developing unit budgets, developing cash budgets, negotiating and revising, and using feedback to control budget results and improve future plans”(Yoder-Wise, 2012, p. 244). The nurse manager must be able to accommodate variances and acclimate the budget in both the projections and up-to-date expenditures. Proficiency in managing a unit level budget is essential for both a favorable variance and optimal patient outcomes. Budgeting entails reviewing revenues and expenses, staffing costs, supplies, and capital equipment costs (Contino, 2001). This case study examines personnel, overtime (OT), supplies, travel, equipment, and staff education and the manner in which management can address these factors.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) had mame dramatic changes in the field of the health care system, especially in Medicare, that will seriously take effect in American seniors. Indeed, much of the health law’s new spending is financed by spending reductions in the Medicare program. In addition to the provider payment reductions, Obamacare significantly reduces payments to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by an estimated $156 billion from 2013 to 2022.( Elmendorf, letter to Speaker Boehner). About 27 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in MA plans, a system of regulated and private plans competing against each other as an alternative to traditional Medicare. MA plans are attractive to beneficiaries because they offer more generous and comprehensive coverage than traditional Medicare by capping out-of-pocket costs and offering drug coverage to a rasonable
Medicare are getting people more improved and secured benefits every year, and Medicare’s long-term sustainability is stronger as a result of performances, new tools, resources to lessens waste and fraudulence, and a decrease growth in Medicare costs. These significant changes will produce savings for the taxpayers and help to prolong the life of the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. These changes will also assist people with Medicare by keeping their premiums and cost sharing lesser than under the law before. , Medicare beneficiaries under the Affordable Care Act will enjoy improved quality care, better access to care, and a more innovative care delivery system that will improve outcomes and reduce
Medicare and Medicaid are federal government fundraising programs set in place to help elderly citizens and patients. Medicare and Medicaid are for certain patients with afflictions who cannot afford health insurance acquire some type of medical treatment without worrying about the financial burden. Due to costly health care prices and programs, Medicare and Medicaid funding have been a major threat to the US economy (Riczo, 2014). In the hopes of finding a solution to the current health care struggles pertaining to patients seeking monetary assistance “on March 23, 2010, Presi3dent Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) into law” (Panning, 2014,
Medicaid financing has become an increasing issue for most states throughout the years. The Government Accountability Office (2010) reported that forty-seven of the states as well as the District of Columbia had concerns regarding the sustainability of their program. Around 16% of the state budgets go towards Medicaid each year, totaling around $183 billion (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2015). A significant share of vulnerable populations relies on Medicaid for medical coverage. Rocco, Gellad, & Donohue (2015) estimated that of the
The world is not perfect. This is the phrase used by almost all humans because not all humans are perfect. These imperfections may include war, poverty, hunger, and much more. One of the world’s problems and at least in this country deals with women’s health. Health care is one of the imperfections here in the United States. Health care in the United States has been in hot topic both in past and recent years. Access and having adequate health care can be a real struggle for women and other social groups in this nation. There are different types of factors in which effect how certain people experience this type of low quality and inadequate health care.
By 2019, under current projections, overall will be spending more than double in the billions. Medicare is projected to saving over $150 billion. Through readings it appears the Medicare could possibly result in cuts in coverage for beneficiaries. The health care system does appear to support lowering the rate of expansion of Medicare spending. This offers advance care preparation for consumer with serious illness.
Many ways are used to measure how much Americans values life. Obviously, good health is a major factor of being happy and satisfied with an Americans’ life. People also place family, friends, and owners potential is very high on the list of value for health care insurance. Health care has become the stress to every person’s life. Health care controls everything a person does due to the draw backsdrawbacks of not having it when it is necessary, like breaking an arm or coming down with a deathly illness. You have to introduce your quotations “Health care reform will be on the agenda for future sessions of Congress, because the economic pressures of rising health care costs on the federal government, business, and
Suitable health care would not be possible for the elderly population in America without the assistance of Medicare Part A. Medicare did not come about easily. Currently Medicare spending is more than what is being collected, questioning future solvency. There are many challenges with sustaining Medicare into the future. Medicare’s past struggles, present outcomes, and future challenges confirm that a national health plan is ever evolving to meet the needs of the current population and spending inflation.