Study: Value-based care participation linked to readmissions reduction

A recent study revealed good news for hospitals taking advantage of one or more Medicare value-based reforms. Participation in Medicare programs that focus on improving quality and value of care can often lead to a larger reduction in 30-day readmissions, according to JAMA Internal Medicine.

The study examined patients treated for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia at 2,837 hospitals from 2008—2015 using data from CMS’ Hospital Compare website. The University of Michigan researchers conducting the study sought to determine whether there was a link between three voluntary value-based forms (Meaningful Use, Accountable Care Organization programs, the Bundled Payment for Care Initiative) and lower readmission rates under the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program.

“Participation in one or more voluntary value-based health care programs had a greater impact on keeping patients from returning to the hospital within 30 days for three common diagnoses than the government's mandatory program that penalizes acute care facilities for high readmission rates,” according to a University of Michigan announcement about the study.

Of the 2,837 hospitals examined, none participated in any of the three value-based reforms in 2010. All but 56 of the hospitals involved in at least one reform by 2015. Hospitals that did not implement any of the three reforms saw a 1.3% reduction in readmissions annually whereas those that implemented all three reforms saw a 2.9% annual reduction in readmissions. Hospitals participating in only Accountable Care Organization programs had a 2.1% annual drop in readmissions while those participating in only Meaningful Use had a 2.3% drop, according to the announcement.