The implementation of the EverCare demonstration project.

EverCare represents a creative approach to providing medical services to long-stay nursing home patients. It offers a capitated package of Medicare-covered services with more intensive primary care provided by nurse practitioners. The program's underlying premise is that better primary care will result in reduced hospital use. This work examines the implementation of the program in six locations. It identifies some of the issues that must be addressed if the program is to succeed both operationally and financially.