Medicare set to penalize most NJ Hospitals!

Beginning in Q3, the federal Medicare program will withhold some money from nearly every hospital in New Jersey because too many elderly patients have to return within a month of being discharged, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Health News.

A total of 62 hospitals and hospital networks in the state will forfeit an average 0.67 percent on EVERY reimbursement – the highest loss among any other state in the nation.

Though some readmissions cannot be avoided, many public health experts say a chronically high rate points to poor planning and follow-up care after a patient leaves a hospital. The result: sicker patients and higher health care costs.

The penalty will be applied every time a hospital submits a claim for repayment.