Impact of New Medicare Readmissions Policy on Hospital Readmissions for All Patients

The researchers examined the impact and potential spillover effects of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), an initiative under the Affordable Care Act that penalizes hospitals with high rates of preventable readmissions for Medicare patients with certain conditions. The researchers examined how the HRRP may be affecting readmissions for Medicare fee-for-service patients, as well as those patients receiving coverage through private insurance, Medicare managed care, and Medicaid. The researchers also assessed the impact of the HRRP on readmissions for several additional conditions that are expected to be added to the program in FY2014 and FY2015. Finally, the researchers examined the program’s impact on all-cause medical and surgical index admissions. The goal of this project was to provide policymakers with early information on an important policy initiative under health care reform.