For the period April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011, the Recuperative Care Program, which serves both Los Angeles and Orange Counties, resulted in estimated savings of $495,720 for Los Angeles County hospitals using the program.

The estimated cost to Los Angeles hospitals is $2,279 per day, with patients staying an average of four additional days. (Source: Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts; figures reflect 2008 data, the most recent data available as of March 2011).

The Recuperative Care Program provides post-hospitalization health care services to homeless patients transitioning out of an acute care hospital. Patients receive basic medical oversight in a clean, safe environment for an average of 10 days in order to recover from minor physical injuries or illnesses.  Patient referrals are submitted by hospital case managers or discharge planners. The program was re-opened on Oct. 1, 2010 with a new service provider, Illumination Foundation.

Patients must meet the following criteria for admission into the program:

• Homeless and have an acute medical condition with an identifiable end point of care.
• Independent in mobility (walker, wheelchair accepted if able to transfer self).
• Independent in Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) and medication administration.
• Continent of bladder and bowel.
• Medically and psychiatrically stable at discharge.

Billing for hospitals is based upon a hospital’s actual program utilization at a per diem rate of $200 per day and will occur at the end of each month. Estimated average length of stay is 10 days. Hospitals may use the program as little or often as needed. It is estimated that as a result of participating in this program, a hospital will significantly reduce the costs (about $1,200 per day) associated with caring for homeless inpatients for an extended period of time.

In order to use the program, a one-page preliminary referral form is emailed or faxed from the hospital to National Health Foundation (NHF). NHF will fax the form to Illumination Foundation, which will make the determination within four “business” hours as to whether or not the patient is eligible for recuperative care services at the facility.

Contact:

Jaime Garcia
(213) 538-0702, jgarcia@hasc.org
Kelly Bruno
(213) 538-0708, kbruno@nhfca.org