MHA releases readmission data adjusted for sociodemographic status

The Missouri Hospital Association today released data on readmissions at the state’s hospitals that presents for the first time what the rates would be with risk-adjustment for sociodemographic status. Posted on MHA’s new hospital transparency website for quality and pricing data, the new readmissions data builds on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ risk-adjustment methodology to adjust for patient-level risk factors such as Medicaid eligibility and poverty. “Hospitals have a responsibility to produce value,” said MHA President and CEO Herb Kuhn. “At the same time, hospitals shouldn’t pay a penalty because they serve patients from economically and socially-challenged communities. Doing so only increases the chance of perpetuating disparities in access to care and health outcomes.” AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said “a growing body of research shows that where patients live is critically important to determining patient outcomes. MHA’s report is an important contribution to this body of research and demonstrates how publicly available data about patients and where they live can be used to adjust quality measures and more accurately portray hospital performance.” AHA-supported legislation (S. 688/H.R. 1343) would require CMS to adjust a hospital’s performance in the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program based on the sociodemographic status of its patients.