News: Study shows value-based care programs reduce readmissions

According to a recent study by the University of Michigan, participation in voluntary federal quality reporting programs has a greater effect on reducing readmissions than financial penalties levied against facilities for high rates alone, FierceHealthcare reported.

The researchers studied heart attack, heart failure, and pneumonia patient records from more than 2,800 U.S. hospitals from 2005 to 2015. Those hospitals that participated in one of three federal quality programs (accountable care organizations, meaningful use, and bundled payments) saw a decrease in 30-day readmissions rates by a wider margin than those that did not participate, according to the study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Before the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) implementation, none of the examined facilities participated in the quality reporting programs. After the ACA implementation, however, only 56 facilities remained unenrolled in quality reporting programs. Of those 56 facilities, their readmission rates decreased by 1.3% annually. The researchers attributed the decrease to the fines levied by CMS’ Readmission Reduction Program, according to FierceHealthcare.

Facilities participating in an accountable care organization, on the other hand, reduced readmissions by 2.1% annually. Those participating in only the meaningful use program saw a 2.3% reduction annually. Finally, those facilities participating in all three programs saw a readmission reduction of 2.9% annually, according to the study.

For CDI programs, the growing focus on quality remains a looming question and concern. With the rise of quality programs and their positive affect, documentation opportunities present themselves readily for the enterprising CDI specialist. To read more about quality programs and CDI’s role, read the March/April edition of the CDI Journal.