Over 20 skilled and intermediate-care facilities have closed in Illinois over the past five years due to budget cuts and decades-old Medicaid reimbursement rates. A new study by Leading Age, a senior services trade organization, reports that more than 550 nursing homes nationwide have closed over the past four years and that the trend is accelerating. More than half of the nursing home closures occurred in nine states—Texas, Illinois, California, Ohio, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
Illinois ranks 49 in the country in Medicaid reimbursement rates:
• Occupancy rates in skilled nursing facilities have been falling since 2015
• Medicaid pays for increasing numbers of residents and pays the lowest daily rates
• Decreasing numbers of residents are paid through Medicare, which pays the highest daily rates
2020 funding to support nursing homes for Illinois’ elderly populations increased by $240 million in fiscal year 2021 that starts July 1 through the new state budget:
• $70 million is allocated to meet nurse staffing minimums
• $170 million is for costs such as food, utilities, maintenance and equipment
The Illinois legislation that allocated the additional nursing home funds also created fines for nursing homes that fail to meet staffing minimums that are set to ensure better care for residents.
Do you have questions about nursing home abuse or elder law in Illinois? Our experienced elder law attorneys in Lombard Illinois understand applicable laws and advise you on the best options to protect an elderly or disabled person. Contact the Estate & Probate Legal Group at (630) 800-0112.
