Underinsured Population

Underinsured Population

Since the beginning of the decade “almost half of all Americans over the age of 65 will rely on nursing home care at some point in their lives, and two in three nursing home residents have their care covered at least in part by Medicaid;” within the next couple years the number of Americans that are 65+ will increase and the amount of people needing assistance will also increase (Medicaid, 2003). Long-term facilities are responsible for treatment, round the clock care, and providing resources for their residents. Currently, the aging population is growing and demands are increasing for assisted care but nursing homes are having trouble financially and with staff. Major impacts that nursing homes have faced include: stricter policies, increased quality care, and changes in Medicare coverage. Another impact that nursing homes will face is an increase in patients and more complex health issues; increase will leave many patients struggling to pay for services due to increases that facilities will have to make-up for the strict reimbursement rates Medicaid applies for each resident. The underinsured seeking long-term care will face financial difficulties due to increase costs and changing reimbursement rates. Not only will this affect the patients but it will also have a financial impact on communities, stakeholders and how it can affect the facility’s future. This paper will also examine what changes should be done so that the least amount of damage can be done for future impacts on the patients and long-term facilities.

Nursing Home Residents

The underinsured group this paper is focusing on is long-term care recipients, a high percentage of the residents are older and need assistance with their daily living such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and other tasks they are unable to do by themselves as they have aged or have complex health issues. Living in a long-term facility for any length of time is costly and many residents may have not...