Health care in America is exceedingly costly, which means that any new programs that stem from health care reform have work cut out for them. Preventative medicine would ideally keep individuals out of hospitals, but the sad truth is that Americans on Medicare are re-entering hospitals nearly as easily as they’re discharged. A 2009 study by the New England Journal of Medicine shows that 20 percent of Medicare patients are back within the hospital a mere 30 days after original release. In 90 days, one-third of patients have bounced back into care for the same problems. Startlingly, after one year, two-thirds are either readmitted or they die.
Constant re-admission is a tremendous financial drain
As outlined by the Huffington Post, the cost of Medicare was $17.4 billion in 2004. That cash black hole forced Medicare to start 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. Considering that a number of 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 point fingers at one one more
Lack of proper communication appears to be the common ingredient when it comes to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities providing sub-par care that leads to re-admission. Not providing enough patient and medication info, neglecting follow-up appointments and providing confusing or contradictory patient care instructions are just some of the major difficulties America’s health care system faces, writes the Post. Older patients on Medicaid who are passed back and forth between care facilities tend to be one of the most vulnerable victims caught in the crossfire.
How Medicare and private insurance may be hurting themselves
The Huffington Post cites an American Geriatric Society study that shows that Medicare and private insurance companies are “pushing very hard” to have stroke rehab patients admitted to skilled nursing facilities instead of inpatient rehab centers. This is done due to lower costs up front, but the rebound rate at skilled nursing facilities in this scenario is seven times higher. Medicare and private insurance corporations must learn to see beyond the low initial cost, because it will likely save 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 about the risks and be sure that future care instructions are quite clear. For more info on specific questions, see the Huffington Post article listed below.
Huffington Post
huffingtonpost.com/richard-c-senelick-md/the-bounce-back-effect-ho_b_677575.html
