title: Thirty-Day Readmission Rates Among Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dual-eligible beneficiaries represented 19% of Medicare and 14% of Medicaid enrollment in 2009. Of Medicare discharges among dually eligible beneficiaries, 21.5% resulted in a 30-day rehospitalization. Little has been published regarding dual-eligible beneficiaries' readmission rates and factors affecting readmission.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of Medicare claims, restricted to 297,084 beneficiaries with a hospitalization from February 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dual eligibles had higher hospitalization and 30-day readmission rates than Medicare-only beneficiaries. Multivariable regression indicated dual eligibility, younger age, and specific chronic conditions increased the likelihood of a 30-day readmission. Rural dually eligible beneficiaries had lower readmission rates than other beneficiaries, and they had a protective effect of physician follow-up care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Having a 30-day physician follow-up had differential effects in urban versus rural locations, yet rural residents had a higher rate of follow-up care. The impact of adequate follow-up care, and how rural populations are successful, would be beneficial to understand. Substantial savings could accrue if interventions reduced readmissions among dual-eligible beneficiaries.
authors: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.|Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
authors: Kevin J
authors: KJ
authors: Bennett
authors: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.|Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
authors: Janice C
authors: JC
authors: Probst
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Medicaid; Medicare; hospitals; readmissions; utilization of health services