Jeffrey Stensland, PhD

Phone: 202.220.3726
Fax: 202.220.3759
Email: jstensland@medpac.gov

MedPAC
601 New Jersey Ave. SE - Suite 9000

Completed Projects - (4)
Publications - (12)

Completed Projects - (4)

Capital Needs of Small Rural Hospitals
Research center: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Topic: Hospitals and clinics
National Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Tracking Project: Analysis of the Financial Impact of Conversion on Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and the Medicare Program
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Healthcare financing, Rural Hospital Flexibility Program
Rural Hospitals' Strategic Response to PPS for Outpatient, SNF, and HH Services
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Health services, Home health, Hospitals and clinics, Long-term care, Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS)
What is Causing the Increase in Rural Hospital Costs?
Research center: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Topics: Healthcare financing, Hospitals and clinics

Publications - (12)

2004

The Financial Benefits of Critical Access Hospital Conversion for FY 1999 and FY 2000 Converters
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2004
This paper discusses the impact of conversion to critical access hospital (CAH) status on the financial condition of rural hospitals one and two years after conversion. CAHs pre- and post-conversion revenues are compared, and CAH revenues are compared to small rural hospitals that did not convert to cost-based Medicare reimbursement.

2003

The Financial Effects of Critical Access Hospital Conversion
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2003
This paper describes how the first wave of conversions to critical access hospital status affected rural hospitals' financial performances and organizational structures.
Rate of Return on Capital Investments at Small Rural Hospitals
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2003
This paper examines whether the aging of rural facilities is due to a lower rate of return on capital investment at these hospitals. This paper also investigates whether membership in a hospital system improves access to capital and results in the updating of buildings and equipment.

2002

Achieving Equity in Medicare Disproportionate Share Payments to Rural Hospitals: An Assessment of the Financial Impact of Recent and Proposed Changes to the Disproportionate Share Hospital Payment Formula
Journal Article
NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Date: 09/2002
Examines how Benefits Improvement and Protection Act revisions to the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program are likely to affect rural hospital financial performance. The study shows that paying rural hospitals based on the rules used for urban hospitals could improve access to care in rural communities.
Financial Incentives for Rural Hospitals to Expand the Scope of Their Services
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2002
This paper examines the financial incentives that rural hospitals have to conduct surgery and treat more complex medical conditions. The objective is to evaluate whether rural hospitals that offer broader services are more profitable than hospitals with limited inpatient services.
Understanding Rural Hospital Bypass Behavior
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2002
This study provides a descriptive analysis of rural hospital bypass behavior. It focuses on the extent to which patients admitted from rural areas are bypassing local facilities and whether there are changes in bypass patterns over time.
Capital Needs of Small Rural Hospitals
NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Date: 05/2002
This report examines the capital situation of rural hospitals with fewer than 50 beds to determine the total cost of bringing each facility into compliance with current laws, as well as the facilities' cost of borrowing and ability to borrow.
Variance in the Profitability of Small-Town Rural Hospitals (Policy Brief)
NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Date: 04/2002
This policy brief discusses why some rural small-town hospitals are financially successful and others struggle with persistent financial difficulties.
Variance in the Profitability of Small-Town Rural Hospitals (Full Report)
NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Date: 02/2002
This report documents the variance in profitability among small-town rural hospitals and evaluates the characteristics that distinguish highly profitable small-town hospitals from struggling ones. It also reports on strategies that small-town hospital administrators are using to achieve financial success.

2001

Rural Hospitals' Ability to Finance Inpatient, Skilled Nursing, and Home Health Care
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2001
This study surveys 448 rural hospitals to see how they are restructuring in light of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

2000

Financial Viability of Rural Hospitals in a Post-BBA Environment
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2000
This paper evaluates the financial viability of rural hospitals under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 Medicare payment policies. It estimates the number of hospitals that will become critical access hospitals and the number of beds at each hospital.
Why Do Rural Primary-Care Physicians Sell Their Practices?
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2000
This study evaluates why rural primary care physicians sell their practices. It examines the factors that led independent physicians to sell their practices to either non-local buyers, local hospitals, or local physicians.