CDC National Center for Health Statistics Conducting Next Wave of Biennial NPALS Study

CDC
 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has begun fielding the seventh wave of the biennial National Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Study (NPALS), formerly the National Study of Long-Term Care Providers.    

NCHS is asking those that receive the 2024 NPALS packet to please complete and submit the questionnaire online over a safe and secure network as soon as possible, or by completing the hardcopy version of the questionnaire included in the questionnaire packet.  

NCHS has contracted with RTI International, an independent, nonprofit research organization to collect the NPALS data. A dedicated survey team can answer questions about the survey at the toll-free phone number (855-500-1435). To download samples of the 2024 questionnaire and to learn more about the study, visit NCHS’ NPALS page. To stay informed of key milestones regarding the release of NPALS publications and data, join the Long-Term Care Listserv

NCHS uses this information to produce public reports on the major long term care services sectors, including assisted living and other residential care communities, adult day services centers, home health agencies, nursing homes, hospices, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and long term care hospitals. Findings from previous survey waves can be accessed and downloaded​ at no cost.   

NCHS thanks everyone who submitted their questionnaires in the previous survey waves. Your participation made it possible to provide these accurate and relevant findings to providers, policy makers, advocates, and researchers. The 2024 data collected will be kept confidential. NCHS has a long history of conducting surveys and is required by federal law to protect the privacy of the information it collects in its surveys. 

2024 NPALS Data Collection Activities and Schedule:

Activity 

Schedule 

 

Advance Notification Letter Mailing 

November 7, 2024 

 

First Questionnaire Mailing  

November 15, 2024 

 

Thank you/Reminder Letter Mailing 

December 5, 2024 

 

Second Questionnaire Mailing 

January 7, 2025 

 

Conduct Data Retrieval Calls 

January 9, 2025 – July 9, 2025 

 

Conduct Multiple RCCs/ADSCs Reported on One Questionnaire Calls 

January 9, 2025 – July 9, 2025 

 

Third Questionnaire Mailing  

February 24, 2025 

 

Conduct CATI prompting calls  

April 17, 2025 – July 9, 2025 

 

Fourth Questionnaire Mailing 

May 8, 2025 

 

End of Data Collection 

July 9, 2025