Nursing Homes in Ohio

Medicaid Reimbursement to Nursing Homes in Ohio

As with many states across the U.S., Ohio has an increasing aging population.  Another 12,000 Ohioans turned 60 this month, which would suggest that state spending on senior care should be increasing to match this need.

Not the case though, in fact over the last 5 years, skilled nursing facilities have received very minimal, or even no, funding increases for the services they provide.

According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Medicaid spending for nursing home care has actually declined between 2004 and 2010.  Also, Ohio may soon complete the change from a Medicaid system that reimbursed based on the actual costs of operations to a flat price reimbursement.  This new system rewards only on how cheaply a skilled nursing facility can provide services.  It lacks a coordinated approach to providing long-term care, or ensuring the right kind of care can be provided in the least restrictive environment. i.e. it provides no incentive to ensuring high quality care can be provided in the home.

Many of Ohio’s senior care organizations are campaigning to have the Medicaid reimbursement program modified in order to ensure the focus remains on providing good quality care, instead of just focusing on the cheapest services.
 
As our lawmakers attempt to bring make cuts on state spending, we must ensure that funding to elderly care in Ohio, is maintained at a level to provide quality senior care for all aging Ohioans.