The number of private pay residents in freestanding nursing homes fell significantly from 2004 to 2006, according to the National Investment Center For the Seniors Housing & Care Industry.

A total of 14.2% of all residents in freestanding nursing homes were paid primarily by private sources, as of the third quarter of 2004. That number declined to 10.8% by the end of the third quarter of 2006. Such a decrease represents a 24% reduction in the private pay percentage, or over 15,000 occupied private pay beds in the 30 largest Metro Markets, NIC said.

Meanwhile, the Medicare mix rose to 13.8% in the third quarter of 2006 from 13.3% in the third quarter of 2004. The overall quality mix slipped to 27.7% from 30.3% over the two-year period.