Vertical integration of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in a hospital network was associated with increased SNF utilization, decreased readmission rates, and lower episode payments, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Hospital merger and acquisition activity will likely continue rising, including vertical integrations. In 2015, 80 percent of hospitals owned at least one post-acute care service, with 33 percent owning an SNF. Vertical integration of SNFs may have mixed impacts on health outcomes, utilization, and costs.
Read the full article: SNF Vertical Integration Tied to Higher Utilization, Fewer Readmissions //
Source: https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/snf-vertical-integration-tied-to-higher-utilization-fewer-readmissions