Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine nurse practitioner (NP) and physician assistant (PA) practice in nursing homes (NHs) during 2000-2010. DATA SOURCES: Data were derived from the Online Survey Certification and Reporting system and Medicare Part B claims (20 percent sample). METHODS: NP/PA state average employment, visit per bed year (VPBY), and providers per NH were examined. State fixed-effect models examined the association between state regulations and NP/PA use. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: NHs using any NPs/PAs increased from 20.4 to 35.0 percent during 2000-2010. Average NP/PA VPBY increased from 1.0/0.3 to 3.0/0.6 during 2000-2010. Average number of NPs/PAs per NH increased from 0.2/0.09 to 0.5/0.14 during 2000-2010. The impact of state scope-of-practice regulations was mixed. CONCLUSIONS: NP and PA scope-of-practice regulations impact their practice in NHs, not always as intended.