Skilled nursing facility service area is about 15-mile radius

This lengthy, scholarly article examines different ways to determine the geographic service area of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).  For long term care facilities, it is common to use counties or MSAs.  The authors argue that it is more accurate to use a variable-radius approach; but this has drawbacks.  AN INTERESTING STATISTIC: In this study of skilled nursing facilities in eight large states, the authors found that on average the geographic market size of a skilled nursing facility was close to the 15.5 mile-radius found in an earlier study.  However, there is variation from between states and within states.  Georgia has larger SNF catchment areas than California, for example.

Source: Bowblis, J.R., and, North, P.  Geographic market definition: the case of Medicare-reimbursed skilled nursing facility care.  Inquiry;48(2):138-154, Summer 2011.  Click here to go to the journal website: http://www.inquiryjournal.org/  Posted by AHA Resource Center, (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org