Reshuffling the DRG deck. New cardiac DRGs praised for more equitable reimbursements while post-acute-transfer changes are generating some worries.
The CMS' changes to its DRGs, which took effect Oct. 1, could alter hospitals' bottom lines significantly. The addition of 16 DRGs makes a total of 526 classifications that will dictate payments and determine hospital services and patient mix. Tom Watson, left, a partner with accounting firm BKD, which specializes in healthcare reimbursement, says it's unlikely the changes will put any hospitals out of business, but they will feel a pinch.
DoBias
Matthew
M
Becker
Cinda
C
D000368:Aged; D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000145:classification* / Q000191:economics; D005377:Financial Management, Hospital; D049228:Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics; D011445:Prospective Payment System / Q000639:trends*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States