Pediatric Care Funding
Funding pediatric care in an ambulatory setting is different than funding similar care in a home setting. Additionally, children cared for in the home are found to heal faster and more effectively than those who must endure the stress of going to an office, where the surroundings may be unfamiliar. How do costs compare between in-home care and ambulatory settings? The results are surprising.
In a study published in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, home health care was shown to be the most cost-effective alternative to a hospital setting. Nationally, the cost of in-home care for infants and children was found to be $5.3 billion in the year 2000. It was found that Medicare paid the majority of this bill, which is an important factor for taxpayers. Private insurance was found to pay for less than 1% of these in-home services.
Why Not Do It More?
This cost-effective option is not employed more, according to the study, due to an inadequate supply of professionals available to come into the home. There was also a shortage of pediatric nurses available to come into the home. Inadequate payment options are a reason, as are restrictions in insurance policies. Additionally, many children must remain in NICU or PICU wards at higher costs due to lack of in home care services.
Medicaid is the worst culprit in underpaying home health care agencies for pediatric services. Private insurances hold second place in underpayment, even when in-home care is listed as a policy benefit. The American Academy of Pediatrics has answered this embarrassing shortage by addressing policymakers, as well as Medicaid offices, to improve the availability and affordability of home health care.
If you’d like to read the full study, please find it here at:
American Academy of Pediatrics
If you’d like to talk more about pediatric care, contact Vancouver Home Health Care Agency today.
At Vancouver Home Health Care Agency, Caring and Compassion is our business.