More Home Health Patients Facing Greater Healthcare Challenges

According to the U.S. Department for Health & Human Services’ National Center for Health Statistics, an estimated 27 million people will need some type of long-term care by 2050. Of those 27 million, the majority will receive long-term care in the community.  Skilled home healthcare is a leading provider of formal, community-based care.

The NCHS report states, “Older Americans will increasingly constitute a larger percentage of the population in the future—from about 12% in 2006 to almost 20% in 2030. The majority of people using home health and hospice care services are over age 65 years. Most of them have multiple chronic conditions, and home health and hospice care services enable many of them to receive services in their homes and communities.”

In addition to the rapid growth in Americans eligible for Medicare, the program’s home health care beneficiary population is generally the sickest, poorest and most vulnerable in the Medicare program.  When compared to all other Medicare beneficiaries, home health patients typically face greater challenges.

Source: Avalere analysis of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, Access to Care file 2010.

The demographics of the Medicare home health population further illustrate the valuable role home health has now, and in the future, in keeping seniors healthier and happier in their home environment.