The Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program: potential unintended consequences for hospitals serving vulnerable populations.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To explore the impact of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) on hospitals serving vulnerable populations.

Data sources/study setting

Medicare inpatient claims to calculate condition-specific readmission rates. Medicare cost reports and other sources to determine a hospital's share of duals, profit margin, and characteristics.

Study design

Regression analyses and projections were used to estimate risk-adjusted readmission rates and financial penalties under the HRRP. Findings were compared across groups of hospitals, determined based on their share of duals, to assess differential impacts of the HRRP.

Principal findings

Both patient dual-eligible status and a hospital's dual-eligible share of Medicare discharges have a positive impact on

SUBMITTER: Gu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4231573 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature