Big costs when patient re-admission is needed

Health care reform intended to address the massive costs of American patient care can have a great deal of work ahead. Practicing preventative medicine is vital to the nation's well-being, yet America doesn't appear to be proficient in that regard. According to a 2009 study by the New England Journal of Medicine, one-fifth of Medicare patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. After 90 days, that percentage climbs to 34 percent. What is maybe most disturbing is that after a year, two-thirds of patients are back in the hospital or dead.

The re-admission of patients is inefficient and costly

The Huffington Post reports that Medicare cost taxpayers $17.4 billion in 2004. That money black hole forced Medicare to begin paying closer attention to which hospitals had the highest bounce-back rate of re-admission. Those with high re-admit rates are financially penalized. A new industry was born amidst the turmoil; private businesses would extend their efficiency expert services to afflicted hospitals. Thinking about that several studies show that three-quarters of all re-admissions are preventable, seems like likely that the efficiency experts have lots of business.

Hospitals and nursing facilities blame each other

Re-admission, according to industry experts, is probably due to communication breakdowns between hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Incomplete patient notes and post-care regimen instructions are definite problems. The problem grows significantly for those Medicaid patients who are older and are shuttled between general and intensive care facilities.

Medicare and insurers sometimes lack foresight

The American Geriatric Society found in a recent study that Medicare and insurance corporations prefer to recommend skilled nursing facilities over inpatient rehab for stroke victims, reports the Post. Lower first cost is the reason, but what the insurers fail to see is the significance of a re-admit rate that is seven times higher in the skilled nursing option. Medicare and private insurance corporations must learn to see beyond the low original cost, because it will likely conserve millions, say critics.

Always question your doctor

Patients and those who care about them must ask doctors questions in order to assess the risk of future re-admittance. Ask your doctor about all risks and future care procedures for clarity. For more info on specific questions, see the Huffington Post article listed below.

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Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/richard-c-senelick-md/the-bounce-back-effect-ho_b_677575.html