Severity of Readmission Punishments Doubling for Hospitals

The number of hospitals facing financial penalties for failing to stop patients from returning to the hospital will remain steady next year, but the potential severity of the punishments is doubling. The CMS’ hospital readmissions reduction program is expected to cut Medicare spending on hospitals by about $227 million during the federal fiscal year starting Oct. 1, according to a 2,225-page final rule published Friday afternoon. www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2013-18956_PI.pdf