Using the Continuum of Care

With the acceptance of financial risk by physicians and medical group practices with Medicare managed care contracts, the need to use a continuum of care is increasingly important since in-patient hospital care accounts for the largest percentage of health care costs for older adults. Using alternative settings of care, specifically skilled nursing facilities, sub-acute care and home health care can reduce these costs. A geriatric care team that is able to move a patient from a higher level of care to a lower level of acute care without degrading the quality of care for the patient will have a better chance at succeeding financially in Medicare managed care. The case study illustrates the use of alternate settings to improve a patient’s outcome and reduce the cost of care.