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FAQ | | How common are hospital readmissions”
- Approximately 1 in 5 Medicare patients in the United States is readmitted within 30 days; approximately 1 in 3 Medicare patients are readmitted within 90 days.
- Heart Failure is the most common diagnosis associated with 30 day readmission among Medicare recipients.
- U.S. National Rate for 30 day Readmissions for Heart Failure Patients among Medicare recipients = 24.8%
- U.S. National Rate for 30 day Readmissions for Heart Attack Patients among Medicare recipients = 19.8%
- U.S. National Rate for 30 day Readmissions for Pneumonia Patients among Medicare recipients = 18.4%
(Medicare data on patients discharged between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2010. Accessed: www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov) How often are hospital readmissions unplanned or avoidable”
- Only about 10% of rehospitalizations were likely to have been planned (Jencks et al, 2009).
- Up to 76% of rehospitalizations occurring within 30 days in the Medicare population are potentially avoidable (Medicare Payment Advisory Committee).
How much do hospital readmissions cost”
- 20% of total Medicare hospital payments are estimated to be a result of unplanned rehospitalizations (Hernandez et al, 2010).
- The cost to Medicare for unplanned rehospitalizations in 2004 was $17.4 billion (Jencks et al., 2009).
- The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission estimates that expenditures for potentially avoidable readmissions may be as much as $12 billion (MedPAC report, June 2008).
How do Vermont hospitals’ readmission rates compare to national rates”
- Among Medicare patients, readmission rates in most Vermont hospitals do not differ significantly from national rates.
What patient characteristics are associated with the highest rates of readmissions”
The following patient characteristics have been associated with an increased risk of inpatient hospital readmission or frequent emergency department use in local, state, and national analyses of revisit data:
- Medicare or Medicaid insurance,
- Lower incomes,
- Higher ages,
- Chronic diseases including Heart failure, renal disease, Asthma, COPD, Diabetes, stroke, and physical or mental disabilities, and
- Lack of preventive medical visits.
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