After a steady decline since January, Medicare revenue per patient day held steady month over month from June through the end of July, at $560, according to market trends data NIC MAP Vision published Wednesday in the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care’s skilled nursing monthly report.
Medicare RPPD has decreased 2.2% from the pandemic high set back in June 2020. One reason for that, according to NIC, is lower property-level COVID-19 case counts.
Medicare revenue mix dropped steadily from January to June but saw an increase from June to July.
“This suggests that, in addition to lower RPPD, utilization of the 3-Day Rule waiver declined as COVID-19 cases declined relative to the month of January,” NIC Senior Principal Bill Kauffman blogged. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services implemented that rule waiver to eliminate the need to transfer COVID-19-positive residents back to the hospital to qualify for a Medicare paid skilled nursing stay, he pointed out.
Data show that Medicaid reimbursements have increased more than usual. NIC credited the increase to proactive measures taken by many states to increase reimbursement related to COVID-19.
“On the other hand, covering the cost of care for Medicaid patients is still a major concern as reimbursement does not cover the cost in many states,” Kauffman wrote.
