By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    narrow-road-ahead-sign
    Narrow Networks in California?
    March 24, 2016
    Insurer Has E-Security Problem
    August 26, 2017
    What Kind of Inequality Matters to You?
    October 19, 2011
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 9 Criticisms of the Readmission Reduction Program
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Finance > 9 Criticisms of the Readmission Reduction Program
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

9 Criticisms of the Readmission Reduction Program

Linda Ringquist
Linda Ringquist
Share
5 Min Read
Readmission Reduction Program
SHARE

Readmission Reduction ProgramSummary: The Readmission Reduction Program is designed to reduce healthcare spending while improving quality. There are both proponents and opponents of the program, as with just about any other program.

Contents
Critics of the Readmission Reduction ProgramWhat are your thoughts on the current Readmission Reduction Program?

Readmission Reduction ProgramSummary: The Readmission Reduction Program is designed to reduce healthcare spending while improving quality. There are both proponents and opponents of the program, as with just about any other program. Let’s delve into the improvements that could be made to the current system.

So, as most of you are aware, CMS, under the direction of HHS, created the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program in order to reduce healthcare spending while improving the quality of care. The program is being phased in beginning with a 3 year baseline period in which hospitals were required to report all readmissions (within 30 days). CMS assessed and analyzed all of the available readmission data to determine how penalties should be assessed, for which conditions, and any exclusions. Beginning October 2012, penalties were assessed to over 2,200 hospitals, equating to about $280 million. The phase in included an increase in penalties from 2013 to 2015 from 1% to 3%, where it is currently capped. Initially, there were 3 conditions included: Acute Myocardial Infarction, Heart Failure, and Pneumonia. For 2015, CMS is proposing 2 additional conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Elective Hip and Knee Replacements.

Critics of the Readmission Reduction Program

While the readmission program does seem to be producing positive results, the program does have its critics, as voiced by academics, the hospital industry, and policy makers.

More Read

Heart-Health
Heart and Vascular Services Top Hospital Marketing Priorities for 2014
Bill McGuire on Wireless Health and Technology
Health Insurance “Rate Shock”: A New Opportunity Within the Broader Trend of Healthcare Consumerism
5 Ways Functional Medicine Is Transforming Healthcare
Deep-dive into Covid-19 Insurance Plans and Claim Process
  • All hospitals are not created equal. Should hospitals that have a “sicker” population be compared on an equal basis with hospitals which have a less “sicker” population?
  • What about rural locations? Should rural hospitals be compared to urban-located hospitals?
  • What about hospitals that treat more patients who, for example, speak mostly Spanish? Is there a higher propensity, given the language barrier, for these patients not to follow discharge instructions and end up as a readmission?
  • Is the method for calculating readmission penalties valid and equitable for all hospitals?
  • Should the hospital exclusively be assessed the penalty when care after discharge becomes the shared responsibility of primary care and other outpatient facilities and community programs?
  • Is it fair to assess the entire Medicare reimbursement when only certain conditions are used to determine excessive readmissions?
  • Isn’t there some sort of onus on the patient to properly adhere to discharge instructions and follow up with primary care? Why should a hospital be assessed a penalty for readmission if the patient didn’t follow post discharge instructions?
  • While there is a penalty assessed for excessive readmissions, there is no reward for those who have readmission rates below the national average (other than, of course, no penalty being assessed).
  • What about the financial outlay for hospitals to make changes in order to reduce readmissions? Some hospitals are adding additional staff such as RNs and case managers to manage the patient after discharge, in terms of follow-up, medication management/adherence, appointment scheduling? These additional tasks require, generally, additional staff as well as changes to protocols. No additional funding is granted to hospitals who are making these proactive changes.

MedPAC, in particular has been quite vocal about their criticism toward the readmission program. They have endorsed the program, while strongly recommending changes both in the way the penalty is calculated and the method for adjusting readmission rates based on socioeconomic factors.

What are your thoughts on the current Readmission Reduction Program?

Do you think this is a comprehensive list or that these just barely scratch the surface? What other criticisms do you have? What do you think is right and working well? Are there additional conditions you would like to see added to the program? Do you think the penalties are excessive?

TAGGED:Readmission Reduction Programreadmissions
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

9 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Add Years to Your Life
9 Healthcare Lifestyle Tweaks That can Add Years to Your Life
lifestyle
July 11, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

Health careMedical InnovationsTechnology

4 Important Ways Healthcare Technology Improves Your Patient Care

September 28, 2017
health suppliments
HealthPharmaceuticalsWellness

Experience Life in a Better Way by Experimenting with Supplements!

November 15, 2022
Business

Most Dangerous Occupations

November 15, 2011
health data implementation
BusinessHospital AdministrationTechnology

5 Questions Every Healthcare Executive Should Ask Before Implementing Data

February 2, 2015
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?