Home health job increases predicted
Home health workers can look forward to ongoing employment even in these tough economic times, according to a recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While job opportunities should be strong in all healthcare settings, home healthcare will be the fastest growing industry segment with a 55% rate of growth.
Healthcare is projected to generate 3 million new wage and salary jobs between 2006 and 2016, more than any other industry. The new jobs represent a 22% increase through 2016, which compares to an 11% increase for all industries combined.
For more information about the report, go to www.gls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm#outlook.
Home health saved $1.71 billion for Medicare
Early use of home health care services following a hospital stay by patients with at least one chronic disease saved Medicare $1.71 billion in the two-year 2005-2006 period, according to a study released by Avalere Health. The study, sponsored by the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation (AHHQI), also found that an additional $1.77 billion would have been saved in the same period if all Medicare beneficiaries with similar chronic diseases had used home health care services.
Approximately 12.7 % of the savings is attributable to reductions in hospital readmissions, and it is presumed that the remaining savings accrue from avoiding more costly institutional settings. The unrealized savings identified in this study could allow Medicare to save $31.1 billion over the next ten years by expanding access to home health for chronic disease patients, according to study authors.
The Avalere study, begun in October 2008, analyzed 2005 and 2006 data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the most current data available from the agency.
Home health workers can look forward to ongoing employment even in these tough economic times, according to a recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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