Bungled Payments

By PAUL KECKLEY The proposal involves a five-year bundled payment model across 75 geographic areas whereby hospitals would be eligible for a bonus if their costs and outcomes were optimal or be penalized if not based on results 90 days post-discharge. The agency noted that in 2013, it spent more than $7 billion on hospitalization for these procedures with the payments for hospitalization and recovery ranging widely from 16,500 to $33,000. Comments about the proposal will be received by CMS through September 8, 2015, aiming for implementation January 1, 2016. Their rationale, according to Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell, in the HHS statement announcing the proposal: “By focusing on episodes of care, rather than a piecemeal system, hospitals and physicians have an incentive to work together to deliver more effective and efficient care. This model will incentivize providing patients with the right care the first time and finding better ways to help them recover successfully. It will reward providers and doctors for helping patients get and stay healthy.” A year ago, I had total knee replacement. My symptoms were classic: degenerative mobility from an arthritic joint that suffered from college football and years of jogging. I finally succumbed to the reality that a new knee might be a good possibility. I did my homework. I chose a surgeon whose reputation was solid– thorough, cautious and methodical. I participated in pre-operative counseling b...
Source: The Health Care Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: THCB bundled payments Burwell CMS Paul Keckley Source Type: blogs