Higher Medicaid Reimbursement Linked To Better Nursing Home Quality Ratings

Nursing homes located in states where Medicaid reimbursement rates covered or exceeded the cost of care were more likely than facilities in less generous states to receive high ratings on Medicare's Nursing Home Care Compare program, according to an analysis of nursing homes in 44 states. Although Medicaid is the largest payer of nursing home care in the United States, Medicaid payment rates are not required to cover the full cost of care.

Nursing homes in states where Medicaid payments met or exceeded the cost of care were more likely to receive 4- or 5-star ratings on the . . .