CMS’ Readmissions Policy: Are Patient Deaths The ‘Unintended Consequence’ Of This Quality Measure?
News outlets report that by linking quality scores to payments, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may have caused some facilities and providers to avoid patients who could ultimately make them look bad.
Modern Healthcare:
Unintended Consequences: CMS' Readmissions Program Might Be Harming Patients
Overall, the penalty program, which was established under the Affordable Care Act, has effectively motivated hospitals to change wasteful care practices and better manage populations. Readmissions have fallen as hospitals respond to penalties that can dock up to 3% of their Medicare payments. But the tactics hospitals have adopted to avoid a penalty might not always be in the best interest of patients. As hospitals reduced readmissions for heart failure patients, their mortality rates increased, according to a recent JAMA study. (Castellucci, 11/25)
Politico Pro:
Patient Deaths: Unintended Consequence Of Quality Measurement?
As the country struggles with its nearly $3 trillion annual health care budget, policymakers have tried to tie payments to quality scores. ... In response, doctors and scholars say, many providers are avoiding patients who might make them look bad or cost them money. (Pittman, 11/27)
