Operating a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) can be as challenging – and rewarding – as serving patients with medically complex conditions, especially those who are fragile and suffer from multi-system complications. That’s where Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) comes in. We understand what it takes to provide appropriate, high-quality care to best serve medically complex patients and your long-term financial health.

CHC Consulting, the management and consulting arm of CHC, provides development and management services for LTACH facilities, enhancing their ability to serve a growing need for this level of care. Whether a facility operates as a hospital within a hospital (HwH), a hospital satellite or a freestanding model, we understand the challenges that long-term care providers face – capacity issues, patient flow, access to capital, Medicare payment rules – all of which impact the level and availability of future services.

Compatibility for Optimal Success

An LTACH operating within a healthcare system helps to complete the full continuum of care, while providing an appropriate setting where patients can be treated for an extended length of stay with commensurate reimbursement. When operational philosophies are consistent and the LTACH is part of an integrated delivery system, patients can be appropriately transitioned with reimbursement reflective of each venue’s purpose, anticipated length of stay and necessary resources. When LTACHs are fully integrated, many benefits apply:

• Extends the continuum of care
• Diminishes (short-term acute hospital) DRG revenue loss
• Creates recognition by managed care payment structure
• Cross-utilizes services and resources within the host hospital/health system continuum

Unique LTACH Ownership Model

There is renewed interest in how LTACHs can be beneficial to hospitals, especially since the sunset of a federal moratorium limiting new LTACH facilities and beds and the important clarity about the necessity of the LTACH level of care during the recent pandemic. With this opportunity in mind, CHC offers much more than consulting services – a unique ownership model through CHC ContinueCARE, LLC, the post-acute care company of CHC. The model provides for the continued operation and existence of a not-for-profit LTACH under a structure that benefits the host hospital, meets regulatory compliance, and creates opportunity for improved LTACH performance in the long term.

LTACH Management

For post-acute facilities seeking hospital management, our team offers comprehensive services drawing upon our clinical, operations and financial expertise. We also assist with Mock Surveys for regulatory compliance, and can provide Interim CEO coverage.

Guidance at Every Turn

CHC Consulting helps hospitals negotiate the complexities of CMS’ requirements to maximize LTACH performance. Many clients who engage us begin with our comprehensive operational assessment, which identifies organizational strengths and vulnerabilities along with an action plan (coding audits, length-of-stay management, clinical staff education) to get their post-acute program on a positive path. Together with hospital boards and leaders, our experts help to sharpen strategic vision for the future, improve operations and finances, and master regulatory compliance.

Community Hospital Corporation owns, manages and consults with hospitals through CHC Hospitals, CHC Consulting and CHC ContinueCARE, with the common purpose to guide, support and enhance the mission of community hospitals and healthcare providers. Based in Plano, Texas, CHC provides the resources and experience community hospitals need to improve quality outcomes, patient satisfaction and financial performance. For more information about CHC, please visit www.communityhospitalcorp.com.

Download LTACH Overview PDF