Expansion of Transitional Care Units

In a Dear Administrator letter, issued to hospital administrators, the Department of Health (DOH) is seeking to expand the existing Transitional Care Unit (TCU) demonstration project. The solicitation would allow approval of an additional eight programs. 

Section 2802-a of the Public Health Law defines "transitional care" as sub-acute services provided to inpatients of a general hospital who no longer require acute care inpatient services, but continue to need specialized medical, nursing, and other hospital ancillary services that are not yet ready for discharge. The expected length of stay in a TCU ranges from five days, to no more than 21 days. Reimbursement for TCU services is at the applicable per diem skilled nursing facility rate. 

TCUs serve individuals who would benefit from occupational, physical and/or speech therapy; which include the same type of individual that nursing homes currently care for. In 2010, LeadingAge New York raised oppostion to the expansion of the TCU program. The past concerns that were raised in regards to the expansion are still present today. 

Contact:  Elliott Frost, efrost@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8832.