Medicare Doesn’t Cover That.
Turnover, staff shortages, and bureaucratic roadblocks are all-too-familiar challenges for home health agencies across the country. But behind the headlines lies a deeper issue: the system designed to support home-based care is actually undermining it. While many blame staffing shortages or rising demand, a closer look reveals how federal policies, particularly those from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), are accelerating the collapse. Let’s break down how regulatory decisions are driving providers out of the industry, endangering patients, and increasing overall healthcare costs.
5 Reasons why the U.S. Home Health System is Breaking
Drastic Cuts in Medicare Reimbursements
Many home health agencies have been forced to turn away patients or shut down entirely because they can no longer afford to provide services under the reduced rates.Excessive Administrative Burdens and Compliance Costs
Bureaucratic red tape forces providers to:
Spend hours on paperwork rather than patient care.
Navigate complex billing systems that often result in delayed or denied payments.Workforce Crisis: Lack of Skilled Home Health Workers
The CMS cuts have led to severe shortages in the home health: Many skilled nurses and aides have left due to low wages, heavy workloads, and lack of support.Shift Toward Institutionalized Care Rather Than Home Care
Despite the proven benefits of home care, CMS has redirected funding towards institutional care (nursing homes, hospitals) rather than allowing patients to receive cost-effective home-based care. This shift:
Increases spending due to higher hospital readmission rates.
Forces patients who prefer home care into nursing facilities against their wishes. Contradicts CMS's own value-based care model, which aims to reduce hospitalizations and support aging at home.Medicare Advantage Plans Are Limiting Access
CMS has given Medicare Advantage (MA) plans significant control over home health benefits, allowing private insurers to:
Deny or delay care for cost-saving reasons.
Reduce coverage for essential services like skilled nursing or therapy.
Force patients into higher-cost care settings, such as hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.
Beyond Funding: The Need for Structural Change
Fixing home health care requires reevaluating how we prioritize patient care, empower providers, and design sustainable healthcare delivery systems. The future of aging-in-place and quality home-based care depends on strategic shifts, not just short-term policy fixes.
The Argument for Private Care – Bluebird Local Nursing
Fast and efficient care keeps you safe and comfortable at home. Your health cannot wait for authorizations or waiting lists. A few short visits of high-quality, focused care can prevent serious complications or rehospitalization. Avoid greater stress, costs, and health deterioration by choosing timely skilled care.
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Ready for Care that Puts People First?
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