Orange County outpaces the nation and California in delivering the most expensive form of therapy to Medicare patients.
Nationwide in 2014, 58 percent of Medicare rehabilitation patients in nursing homes received what’s known as “ultra-high care.” In California, it was 68 percent, and in Orange County, 72 percent. Ultra-high care doesn’t necessarily translate into the best care. Some critics say ultra-high care frequently is unnecessary.
This data comes from an analysis done by the California Health Care Foundation Center for Health Reporting for the Orange County Register. California Healthline is funded by the California Health Care Foundation.