Silver Partner Ziegler just published a short article that profiles both the history and future of the LPC model. From a historical perspective, the distinction between ‘purpose-built’ and ‘non-purpose built’ LPCs was defined; today, 59% of LPCs were designed to offer the full continuum, and the remaining 41% evolved from humbler beginnings into the present form. Four trends that are observed as LPCs evolve include: 1) name and branding changes, 2) skilled nursing changes, reductions, or closures, 3) contract diversification, and 4) scale. Trends in affiliation and acquisition were also briefly discussed, and relatedly, the number of LPC multi-sites has increased. The growing prevalence of higher-acuity AL (where permitted by regulation, predominantly in the western US states) and newly-built LPCs without SNFs signal other important changes – or challenges – the LPC definition.
