Long-term care reimbursement issues.

There have been dramatic changes in long-term care funding recently. Considered only an insignificant part of the continuum of care system just a few years ago, this level of care is now looked to as a wellspring for desperately needed health care cost reductions. Government, insurance companies, intermediaries, large providers, and consumer and physician groups are actively focused on the development and expansion of alternative care provision sites; sub-acute care; hospice; home health care; social, medical, and rehabilitative day care; assisted living and adult congregate care facilities; risk or capitation contracting; expanded health maintenance organizations; alternative care providers; and alternative care approaches. In addition, the improvement in reimbursement is reviewed and is one aspect in ensuring that the economics are right for those needed services to continue to be provided.