Exploring the Impact of Medicare's Post-Acute Care Transfer Payment Policy on Rural Hospitals. Policy Analysis Brief, W Series, No. 5

摘要

Beginning in October 1998, Medicare began to pay acute-care hospital cases in 10 DRGs as transfers instead of discharges when the patient is discharged to a targeted post-acute care (PAC) provider after a short inpatient stay. These PAC providers currently include skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), home health agencies, and PPS-excluded facilities and distinct-part units. In October 2003, after several years of debate, this policy was extended to an additional 21 DRGs, and 2 of the original 10 DRGs were excluded.