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When did the hospital readmission reduction program begin?

When did the hospital readmission reduction program begin?

October 1, 2012
Section 1886(q) of the Social Security Act sets forth the statutory requirements for HRRP, which required the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to establish HRRP starting October 1, 2012 (i.e., Federal Fiscal Year [FY] 2013).

What impact has the hospital readmissions reduction program had on hospitals and patient care?

Results: There have been statistically significant reductions in readmission rates overall as well as for vulnerable populations, especially for acute myocardial infarction patients in hospitals serving the largest percentage of low-income patients and high-risk patients.

When was Hrrp implemented?

2012
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) in 2012. Under this program, hospitals are financially penalized if they have higher than expected risk-standardized 30-day readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia.

Do hospitals pay for readmissions within 30 days?

Since the start of the program on Oct. 1, 2012, hospitals have experienced nearly $1.9 billion of penalties, including $528 million in fiscal year (FY) 2017. In FY 2013, payment penalties were based on hospital readmissions rates within 30 days for heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia.

Do hospitals get penalized for readmissions?

Under programs set up by the Affordable Care Act, the federal government cuts payments to hospitals that have high rates of readmissions and those with the highest numbers of infections and patient injuries.

How much money do hospitals lose on readmissions?

The cost of hospital readmissions is enormous, estimated to be in the vicinity of $26 billion annually (Wilson, 2019), so it’s no wonder Medicare is working to reduce this amount. According to the Advisory Board, “In FY 2019, 82% of hospitals in the program received readmissions penalties.

How is hospital readmission penalty calculated?

The penalties were calculated by subtracting each adjustment factor from 1 and turning it into a percentage. Thus, a hospital losing the most money because of its high readmission rate (which CMS gave an adjustment factor of 0.97) is listed by KHN as receiving a 3 percent penalty.

Why do hospitals track readmissions?

It has been suggested that readmissions are more useful than variables such as inpatient mortality, because they are the only inpatient indicator that reflects the condition of the patient after hospital discharge [6,7].

What are the most common reasons for hospital readmission?

The Top 5 Reasons for Hospital Readmission

  • Failure to Follow Hospital Discharge Orders.
  • Recurrence of a preexisting infection.
  • Poor Coordination of Care After Discharge.
  • Fall-Related Injuries.
  • Pneumonia.

How do hospitals prevent readmissions?

Let’s examine 7 strategies to reduce hospital readmissions:

  1. 1) Understand Current Policy.
  2. 2) Identify Patients at High Risk for Readmission.
  3. 3) Utilize Medication Reconciliation.
  4. 4) Prevent Healthcare-Acquired Infections.
  5. 5) Optimize Utilization of Technology.
  6. 6) Improve Handoff Communication.

Are hospitals paid for readmissions?

Past Years’ Penalties Under programs set up by the Affordable Care Act, the federal government cuts payments to hospitals that have high rates of readmissions and those with the highest numbers of infections and patient injuries.

Do Critical Access Hospitals get penalized for readmissions?

Critical access hospitals play an important role in improving care access. As part of these benefits, CAHs are exempt from financial penalties in the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP).

How to reduce readmission rate at your Hospital?

Reducing Readmission Rates At Your Facility Follow-up Phone Calls. This simple, low-tech solution can be incredibly powerful. A More Efficient Handoff Process. As the patient is transitioning out of your facility, make sure to take advantage of the opportunity to communicate with them and ensure they fully Collaborative Programs. Implementing Technology.

How are hospitals reducing readmissions?

Evidence suggests that the rate of hospital readmissions can be reduced by improving core discharge planning and transition processes out of the hospital; improving transitions and care coordination at the interfaces between care settings; and enhancing coaching, education, and support for patient self-management.

What works for preventing hospital readmissions?

An extensive review of medical literature by Truven Health Analytics provided the following 7 proven key interventions that can help prevent 30 day readmissions: Educate patients during the hospital stay, not only on the discharge day Assign a designated discharge advocate/patient navigator to monitor and manage the post-discharge care of the patient Ensure that high risk patients keep a follow-up appointment within seven days of discharge

What should we do about hospital readmissions?

Reminding patients of follow-up care appointments is also critical to reducing avoidable hospital readmissions. Providers should discuss what follow-up care entails and why it is important, as well as call, text, and email patients to remind them of upcoming appointments.