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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Gracedale's Rating Jumps to Three Stars

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services maintain a five-star rating system for nursing homes. Those with five stars are considered the best. Gracedale, Northampton County's nursing home, was down to a rating of just one star, or "much below average, in May 2017, under former Executive John Brown. Though the home jumped up to two stars just a few months later, that rating is still  "below average" and is the rating that greeted Executive Lamont McClure when he first took office. That rating has just been increased to three stars, or "average."

“We need to continue to work to have a five-star rating,” Executive Lamont McClure said in a county news release. He adds that, “Gracedale is striving to meet our moral obligation of taking care of those who can no longer care for themselves while balancing the interests of the taxpayers who pay the bills ... .”

Eight-seven percent of Gracedale’s residents are recipients of Medicaid. They make up 44% of the entire Medicaid nursing home population in Northampton County. Gracedale accepts one and all, which means the facility often accepts those with the most serious medical and psychological issues.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

In 2018, the nationwide average private payer paid $257 per day for nursing home care while Medicaid paid approximately $203 per day. Being Medicaid eligible and finding a Medicaid nursing home is often not enough to move a loved one in.It is estimated that between 80% and 90% of nursing homes accept Medicaid depending on one’s state of residence. While 80% to 90% is the average. “Medicaid beds” are rooms (or more likely shared rooms) that are available to persons whose care will be paid for by Medicaid. Nursing homes prefer residents which are “private pay” (meaning the family pays the cost out-of-pocket) over residents for whom Medicaid pays the bill. The reason for this is because private pay residents pay approximately 25% more for nursing home care than Medicaid pays.

In 2018, the nationwide average private payer paid $257 per day for nursing home care while Medicaid paid approximately $203 per day.

About 65 percent of nursing home residents are supported primarily by Medicaid,10 and Medicaid pays for 45 percent of the total nursing home bill (see figure 2).11 Medicare does not pay for long-term care, but the program covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing home care per benefit period, After 20 days.

It is estimated that between 80% and 90% of nursing homes accept Medicaid depending on one's state of residence. Sell it they will be just fine. Its farce that we are being sold that only Gracedale as a taxpayer funded home could not be privatized and do well. The facts speak for themselves accept for the BS spin here!
Stop trying to sell the BS of Gracedale being the savior when in fact almost 90% of nursing facilities accept Medicaid for payment at $203.00 a day.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Gracedale has 44% of the Medicaid beds in NorCo

Bernie O'Hare said...

That’s right from the CMO.

Anonymous said...

anon 9:20, list supporting documentation. This is not Fox News.

Anonymous said...

9:20
Where is figure 2?

Anonymous said...

Private homes accept Medicaid yes but they pick and choose which of those patients they want if your to sick or you have a certain mental illness they turn u away gracedale does not they accept everyone

Peterjcochran said...

I reported here that I had visited Veterans at Gracedale. I found them clean and reasonably happy . I only visit them because of the issues that were broadcasted about lake of care . They all stated food is good . I would see them weekly. I have never observed any substandard treatment. The staff accully loves these folks they care for . I say this with my heart. I say this as a veteran of 32 yrs.