At SunDance, several SLPs offered a different view of the effects of reimbursement changes on employment at SunDance. Before, we could guarantee a full-time package and benefits. But under PPS, because the caseloads are variable, the minutes are limited. We've had to cut back on the number of staff, and we're running very tight on other things that we used to do as a matter of course. A lot of therapists felt it wasn't as much fun and decided to go into the schools or to take another career option.
Recruitment is difficult because therapists are having to be so flexible.
She added that there were a few dozen openings for SLPs in the eastern states. Nuelle compared PPS with her experience in the early years of managed care. Therapists couldn't deliver patient care the way they used to. It was a 180-degree change. There was frustration and anger, but gradually people began to adjust.