Over the past five years, the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) has actively supported hospital transitional care programs. While we have collaborated with various consultants, we have built a strong partnership with Allevant Solutions. MCRH can provide guidance on Certificate of Need (CON) requirements, bed changes, billing, swing bed strategies, and regulatory considerations.
Enhancing Transitional Care Through Swing Bed Utilization at UMH Sparrow Clinton Hospital
If you have questions or would like to learn more about our work in this area, please contact Jeff Nagy at jeff.nagy@affiliate.msu.edu.
Chapter 8 of the Medicare Benefits Policy Manual, outlines five types of medically necessary skilled care:
- Direct Skilled Nursing Services to Patients
- Direct Skilled Therapy Services to Patients
- Teaching and Training Activities
- Management and Evaluation of Complex Plans of Care
- Observation and Assessment of a Patient’s Condition
2025-2028 – new info current project
Healing Close to Home
From May 1, 2021, through April 30, 2025, the Healing Close to Home initiative strengthened transitional care across rural Michigan by helping Critical Access Hospitals expand post-acute services, improve patient recovery, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare. During the four-year grant, participating hospitals provided transitional care services to more than 900 patients, generating approximately 13,000 swing bed days, while achieving discharge-to-home rates that consistently exceeded national averages. The program also equipped more than 140 healthcare professionals with specialized training to enhance transitional care services. By keeping patients closer to home for recovery, participating hospitals improved access to care, enhanced patient outcomes, created new revenue opportunities, and strengthened the financial sustainability of rural hospitals and the communities they serve. By strengthening local capacity, the program created a foundation for participating hospitals to sustain and expand transitional care services into the future.
Questions? Contact
Jeff Nagy
Quality Improvement Advisor
517.884.8641
Jeff.Nagy@affiliate.msu.edu