A Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey–Based Investigation of Alternative Primary Care Models in Nursing Homes: Functional Ability and Health Status Outcomes

This study assessed how the health status and functioning of Medicare beneficiaries residing in nursing homes varies systematically with nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) providing primary care services. A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Medicare Current Beneficiary Surveys. The study sample included 433 participant-year observations within one of three cohorts: (a) medical doctor (MD)-only, those who received primary care services exclusively from a physician; (b) MD-dominant, those who received some primary care services from an NP or PA, but those visits accounted for less than one half of total primary care visits; and (c) NP/PA-dominant, those who received more than one half of their primary care visits from an NP or PA. Participants in the MD-only cohort had significantly less orientation and independence in activities of daily living compared to participants in the NP/PA-dominant cohort. Other study variables did not vary significantly by practice model. Although the study provides some evidence that NP/PA involvement is associated with improved functioning, it is premature to draw strong inferences.