Economics of critical care: Medicare part A versus part B payments.
OBJECTIVE
To review the effect of Medicare part A payments (to hospitals) and part B payments (to providers) on critical care in the United States.


METHODS
Sources included U.S. government data and published literature reviewing the impact of Medicate payments on critical care.


METHODS
Government data were reviewed to assess the history and status of reimbursement to hospitals and healthcare providers. These data, along with input from published literature, was used to assess the adequacy of current and projected Medicare reimbursements and the implications of these payments.


CONCLUSIONS
Medicare payments to hospitals, particularly for critically ill patients, seem to fall short of the costs of caring for these patients. Reimbursements to providers seem more encouraging, although the opportunity exists to improve in this area as well.
Section of Critical Care Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Disease and Critical Care Medicine, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ, USA.
David R
DR
Gerber
Carolyn E
CE
Bekes
Joseph E
JE
Parrillo
D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007350:Insurance, Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016344:Medicare Part A / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016345:Medicare Part B / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States