Which program monitors hospital readmissions and impacts payment reductions?

The Hospital Readmission Reduction Program is specifically designed to monitor hospital readmissions and enforce penalties through payment reductions for facilities that have higher-than-expected readmission rates for certain conditions. This program was established under the Affordable Care Act with the objective of promoting higher quality care and reducing unnecessary costs associated with avoidable hospital readmissions.

By focusing on specific diagnoses, such as heart failure, heart attack, and pneumonia, this program incentivizes hospitals to improve their discharge processes and post-discharge care, ultimately aiming to enhance patient outcomes and reduce overall healthcare expenditures. The penalties applied are a significant motivator for hospitals to actively work on minimizing readmissions, which directly impacts their financial performance.

The other programs listed do not have the same focus on readmissions or associated payment reductions. The Medicaid Enrollment Program primarily deals with coverage and eligibility, the Medicare Expansion Initiative pertains to widening access to Medicare, and the Patient Safety Improvement Program focuses on enhancing patient safety measures rather than specifically addressing readmission statistics.