{"id":355786,"date":"2018-09-24T16:16:32","date_gmt":"2018-09-24T21:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/healthcare\/medicare-medicaid\/hospital-readmissions-and-medicare.html"},"modified":"2025-09-09T15:57:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T20:57:49","slug":"hospital-readmissions-and-medicare","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/healthcare\/medicare-medicaid\/hospital-readmissions-and-medicare.html","title":{"rendered":"Hospital Readmissions and Medicare"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Medicare Hospital Readmissions: Laws to Raise Patient Care<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) is a federal initiative that reduces Medicare payments to hospitals with higher-than-expected 30-day readmission rates for certain tracked conditions\u00a0. Its goal is to improve patient care quality by encouraging better discharge planning, follow-up, and coordination. It also\u00a0penalizes\u00a0hospitals that fail to control avoidable readmissions.<\/i><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Returning to the hospital shortly after discharge can be frustrating, expensive, and frightening. The\u00a0readmission could also signal that something went wrong with your initial treatment. Understanding readmission health policy can help ensure you receive better quality of care. It can also help avoid unnecessary return visits.<\/p>\n

If you believe you received poor hospital care that led to readmission, you can contact a\u00a0healthcare attorney<\/a>. They can protect your rights and evaluate your legal options.<\/p>\n

What Medicare Considers as Hospital Readmission<\/h2>\n

A\u00a0hospital readmission<\/a>\u00a0occurs when you are admitted again as an inpatient within 30 days of being discharged from a previous hospital stay. Medicare tracks these readmissions because they often indicate problems with your initial treatment. Here’s what qualifies as readmission under Medicare’s guidelines:<\/p>\n