Medicare Home Health Agencies Closures Continue, With Little Evidence Beneficiary Access Is Impaired

The home health industry has continued to express concern about the impact of closures of home health agencies on beneficiary access. This report: (1) presents an updated analysis on closures, paying particular attention to the distribution of home health agencies closures across urban & rural counties & to the characteristics of closed agencies, & (2) assesses the effect of closures on beneficiary access to home health services. It analyzed data on changes in the number & characteristics of Medicare-certified home health agencies through January 1, 1999. It also examined beneficiary utilization during the first quarter of 1998, & compared it with similar periods in 1994 & 1996. Charts & tables.Scanlon, William J. is the author of 'Medicare Home Health Agencies Closures Continue, With Little Evidence Beneficiary Access Is Impaired' with ISBN 9780788188930 and ISBN 0788188933.