Medicare's Hospital Readmission Reduction Program reduced fall-related health care use: An unexpected benefit?

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess whether Medicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) was associated with a reduction in severe fall-related injuries (FRIs).

Data sources and study setting

Secondary data from Medicare were used.

Study design

Using an event study design, among older (≥65) Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, we assessed changes in 30- and 90-day FRI readmissions before and after HRRP's announcement (April 2010) and implementation (October 2012) for conditions targeted by the HRRP (acute myocardial infarction [AMI], congestive heart failure [CHF], and pneumonia) versus "non-targeted" (gastrointestinal) conditions. We tested for modification by hospitals with "high-risk" before HRRP and accounted for potential upcoding. We also explored changes in 30-

SUBMITTER: Hoffman GJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10771912 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature