List date(s) this work was published or aired.
September 29, 2012, on Modern Healthcare’s website. Oct. 1, 2012, in the print weekly magazine.
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The story examined hospital’s efforts to prepare for the federal government’s Readmissions Reduction Program, which penalizes hospitals with higher-than-expected rates of 30-day rehospitalizations. I argued, based on source input, that the program could force some community-based, stand-alone hospitals to join larger health systems. I also performed an analysis of the the nearly 300 hospitals that are set to incur the highest penalty– 1% of Medicare payments for 2013–under the program.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I relied on raw CMS data made public in August.
Explain types of human sources used.
I spoke with officials from a number of affected hospitals, as well as expert sources from the Harvard School of Public Health, CMS and the American Hospital Association.
Results:
None.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
CMS data is an invaluable resource, but it takes time and patience to wade through it.