Readmissions – A Complex Issue

10/01/2012

In October each year we enjoy the State Fair of Texas, fall festivals, carving pumpkins and Texas football at all levels. This year a new event begins Oct. 1, 2012 resulting from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). A readmissions provision imposes financial penalties on hospitals for “excess” readmissions when compared to “expected” levels of readmission. Generally, hospitals … Read More

Leap Year Negotiations

01/17/2012

As 2011 came to a close, the House and Senate passed a two-month extension of the Social Security (SS) payroll tax holiday and emergency Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and a two-month fix on the current Medicare physician payment rates. What will happen in February? We hope the appointed conferees and other congressional leaders realize that hospitals have stepped forward with … Read More