Budget Amendment ID: FY2013-S4-654

EHS 654

Preventable Readmissions Penalties

Mr. Finegold moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting, after section 140, the following new section:-

"SECTION 140A. The executive office of health and human services shall not apply a reduction to hospital inpatient rates related to potentially preventable readmissions until the health care quality and cost council completes a study on the issue of hospital preventable readmissions and the available methods to determine whether certain hospital admissions are preventable. The council shall evaluate the MassHealth method and financial penalty as employed in FY2012. The council shall consult with independent experts and the hospital community. A report shall be filed with the house and senate committees on ways and means and the house and senate committee on health care financing no later than March 31, 2013."