New Study Examining Employment of Therapists in Skilled Nursing Facilities

The Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), a new value-based reimbursement plan under Medicare, is set to affect the employment structure of the therapist workforce in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). To establish a baseline frame of reference to track future changes, Dr. Tracy Mroz, UW CHWS investigator, led an exploratory study of the organizational characteristics of SNFs associated with employment of higher-cost occupational therapists and physical therapists compared to lower-cost physical therapy and occupational therapy assistants. The study titled, “Supply of and Demand for Therapy Services in Skilled Nursing Facilities,” was funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and published in Medical Care Research and Review as part of a special issue on the health workforce. Read the complete journal article on the study’s page and other UW CHWS publications here.