CLEVELAND — A recently released survey of long-term care facilities nationwide predicts the financial impact following the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to widespread closures across the country—including Ohio.
The report was issued by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living that highlights “the financial strain” impacting long term care facilities.
“It’s a very dire financial picture if nothing is done,” says Peter Van Runkle, Ohio Health Care Association Executive Director.
The survey found:
- Two-thirds of nursing home providers report they won’t make it another year under current conditions.
- 65% of nursing homes are operating at a loss.
In addition, 90% report they are currently operating at profit margins of less than 3%.
The report blames increased costs associated with personal protective equipment and staff.
In Ohio, Van Runkle says occupancy rates in facilities have dropped significantly—13% since the pandemic began.
“That’s a significant hit to revenue because that is that many fewer patients in the facility than it’s receiving reimbursement for, “says Van Runkle, adding that Ohio is probably “even worse” than the national figures “because Medicaid here in Ohio is not at the level of other states”.
Since April 15, 2020, 5,079 have died in Ohio long term care facilities.
The industry says more federal and state aid is needed to prevent facilities from closing this year.
The report found facilities have already closed in California, Indiana, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
Rebound Northeast Ohio News 5's initiative to help people through the financial impact of the coronavirus by offering one place to go for information on everything available to help and how to access it. We're providing resources on:
Getting Back to Work - Learn about the latest job openings, how to file for benefits and succeed in the job market.
Making Ends Meet - Find help on topics from rent to food to new belt-tightening techniques.
Managing the Stress - Feeling isolated or frustrated? Learn ways to connect with people virtually, get counseling or manage your stress.
Doing What's Right - Keep track of the way people are spending your tax dollars and treating your community.
We're Open! Northeast Ohio is place created by News 5 to open us up to new ways of thinking, new ways of gathering and new ways of supporting each other.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Ohio, a timeline of Governor Mike DeWine's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Northeast Ohio, and link to more information from the Ohio Department of Health, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the CDC and the WHO.
See data visualizations showing the impact of coronavirus in Ohio, including county-by-county maps, charts showing the spread of the disease, and more.
The CDC and the Ohio Department of Health are now recommending the use of cloth face coverings in public to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Read more about the CDC's recommendation here. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a face maskfrom common household materials, without having to know how to sew.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
