SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary and Hospitalization Outcomes

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This study examined whether higher hospital spending, measured by Medicare Spending per Beneficiary (MSPB), is associated with better or worse hospitalization outcomes. Using CMS data from 2014–2022 for 3,000 hospitals, the authors analyzed risk-adjusted 30-day readmissions and mortality for heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and pneumonia, while adjusting for hospital characteristics and community demographics.<br /><br />Hospitals with above-average MSPB were more likely to be teaching institutions, urban, and for-profit, and they served a higher proportion of African American patients. In unadjusted analyses, hospitals in the highest MSPB quartile had significantly higher readmission rates for all three conditions than hospitals in the lowest quartile. They also had higher pneumonia mortality, though AMI mortality did not differ and HF mortality was lower.<br /><br />After adjustment, the pattern remained: hospitals in the highest spending quartile had significantly higher 30-day readmission rates for HF, AMI, and pneumonia. They also had higher mortality for AMI and pneumonia, while HF mortality was not significantly different.<br /><br />Overall, the study found that higher Medicare spending per beneficiary was associated with poorer hospitalization outcomes rather than better ones. The authors conclude that the reasons for this relationship need further investigation, and that policies and practices are needed to better align healthcare spending with outcomes.

Asset Subtitle

Rehan Qayyum

Meta Tag

Author List Nargiza Sadr, Rehan Qayyum

Category Research

Concept Medicare Spending per Beneficiary

Concept Risk Adjustment

Concept Hospital Outcomes

Concept Hospital Spending

Concept Readmission

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Eastern Virginia Medical School at ODU

Presenting Author Rehan Qayyum

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

Medicare Spending per Beneficiary

hospital spending

hospitalization outcomes

30-day readmissions

mortality

heart failure

acute myocardial infarction

pneumonia

CMS data

risk-adjusted analysis

Medicare Spending per Beneficiary

Risk Adjustment

Hospital Outcomes

Hospital Spending

Readmission