ODH Releases Bed Need Information for CON; Discusses LTACH Average Day Maximum

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) recently released the results of the bed need formula on their website. Details include information on inter-county bed transfers; a map showing which counties can donate beds and those that can receive beds; a spreadsheet with the data used to determine bed need; and a spreadsheet dividing the counties into those that need beds, can donate beds, and no beds can be moved in or out of. Hamilton and Cuyahoga counties are the most “over bedded” according to the formula, while Franklin, Delaware and Montgomery counties show the greatest need. ODH will accept certificate of need (CON) applications for inter-county transfers of long-term beds from July 1, 2010 to July 30, 2010.  ODH also discussed extending the maximum average length of stay for long term acute care hospitals (LTACH) with interested parties this week. LTACH representatives want to remove the cap while skilled nursing facility (SNF) representatives prefer a cap to avoid LTACHs from treating the same consumers as a high acuity SNF. There was agreement to extend the cap from 30 days to 45 days.