Mortality Rate 18% Higher For Dual Eligibles Admitted To Skilled Nursing After ICU Stay

Low-income dual Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries over age 65 who were admitted to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) following a stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) for a critical illness had one-year mortality rates 18% higher than older adults with Medicare alone, or Medicare and commercial insurance. Regardless of discharge to home or a SNF, Medicaid beneficiaries had a 7% higher one-year mortality rate following an ICU stay. Regardless of insurance status, about 20% of older adults with an ICU stay died within a year after hospital discharge.

These findings were reported in a conference presentation, “Health . . .