Recent Avalere analysis shows that as inpatient hospital volume fell in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, discharges to SNF and home health experienced a similar decline. “In the early months of the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S., we saw a substantial decrease in hospital discharges to both skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies” said Heather Flynn, Consultant at Avalere. “Hospital discharges are steadily moving back to pre-pandemic levels, but our analysis points to an uneven ‘return to normal’ across care settings.”

“Although volumes appear to be on the rebound, the potential for additional COVID-19 surges as we enter the fall and winter could cause another rupture in the trendlines” said Fred Bentley, Managing Director at Avalere. “We’re working closely with our post-acute and long-term care clients to evaluate their growth trajectory under different scenarios. It’s an entirely new set of factors to consider and organizations need to adapt quickly.”

It is no wonder that post-acute care has had a steady decline in census numbers making it difficult to stay financially solvent. The good news is that it looks like things are looking up, barring any dramatic surges in COVID-19 (second wave)! Stay the course, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel!

Stay well, stay safe and stay tuned!