Nearly half of post-acute providers anticipate they will be acquired by an organization with better technological capabilities in 2015, according to survey results released today.

Single or stand-alone skilled nursing facilities could be particularly vulnerable as the sector increasingly relies on advanced technologies, the survey found. About 90% of these facilities have no money budgeted for technology projects this year. This is compared to 84% of large post-acute providers that do have money allocated in this area.

These figures come from market research company Black Book. The firm describes the survey as independent, without involvement from vendors. Out of 464 total respondents, more than half were high-ranking executives or administrators, according to Black Book.

While small providers indicated they are not earmarking money for technology, the poll reflected a general agreement on the importance of technological innovation. More than 90% of respondents said that information technology could help improve financial performance as fee-for-service reimbursements shrink.

There also was widespread agreement that the spread of Medicaid managed care and Medicare Advantage will “force a significant shift in … payer mix by 2015,” according to the results. A full 96% of respondents cited “declining reimbursements” as their most pressing issue this year.