HHAs Report Better Post-Acute Outcomes Versus Other Facilities

Home health agencies spent less per Medicare beneficiary and had better discharge outcomes than other post-acute care settings, according to a new report. The information comes from the National Summary Report, which is part of efforts by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division of Chronic and Post-Acute Care to increase and analyze standardized data. 

The Post-Acute Care Quality Report provided a summary on the results from a 2023 discharge to community (DTC) and Medicare spending per beneficiary (MSPB) Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports, which were sent to home health agencies (HHAs), inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), long term care hospitals (LTCH) and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).

The report found that national average DTC and MSPB outcomes were worse for dual-enrollment (duals) and non-white patients than their counterparts (non-duals, white patients) across most post-acute care (PAC) settings. However, among HHAs, the average MSPB was better among non-white patients versus white patients and saw a similar performance rate for both for duals and non-duals.

Additionally, HHAs had a higher rate of successful DTC compared to the other PAC sectors measured. Although among HHAs non-white patients still had a lower DTC national rate (74.6%) when compared to white patients (77%), and duals also saw a lower rate (74.1%) versus non-duals (77.2%).

The report looked at geographic locations and measured their impact on performance between patient populations. Across all PAC settings, the DTC rate was worse for duals than non-duals in both urban and rural facilities and agencies. However, HHAs’ MSPB was better for duals than non-duals in rural areas and relatively equal in urban areas.

The report concluded that the results suggest duals and non-white patients may face greater barriers to accessing high-quality providers.

To view the full report, visit here.