Werner RM, et al. - In a cohort study of Medicare data of more than 17 million hospitalizations, researchers examined the association of patient outcomes and Medicare costs of discharge to home with home health care vs discharge to a skilled nursing facility. According to findings, discharge to home with home health care was related to higher rates of readmission, no detectable differences in mortality or functional outcomes, and lower Medicare payments among Medicare beneficiaries eligible for post-acute care at home or in a skilled nursing facility. No significant differences were observed in 30-day mortality rates or improved functional status.