Effects of Medicare Changes on a Behavioral Health APN Practice

BackgroundThis is a case study of an advanced practice nurse (APN) practice response to 2003 Medicare D-associated payer changes.DescriptionCase study of changes in population/services after implementation of Medicare D policy considerationsStudy designCase study with data at 3 time points and analyzed using descriptive statistics/central measures of tendency/dispersionResultsLargest changes found to affect public sector recipients/practice solvencyConclusionsUnintended consequences of healthcare policy change affect APN practice/health of vulnerable populations. Recommendations for entrepreneur APNs include supportive policy in addition to business preparation, education, and tools that generate safe strategies for alternate income streams during policy/payer changes.