What is the main goal of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP)?

The main goal of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) is to incentivize hospitals to reduce avoidable readmissions. This initiative was established as part of the Affordable Care Act, aiming to improve the quality of care provided to patients and to reduce healthcare costs associated with unnecessary hospital stays. By focusing on incentivizing the reduction of avoidable readmissions, the HRRP encourages hospitals to enhance care coordination, implement effective discharge planning, and provide adequate follow-up care to patients after discharge, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for patients.

This approach drives hospitals to adopt best practices and invest in patient education and support systems that can help prevent conditions that might lead to readmission. The emphasis is less on penalties and more on encouraging improvement in patient care delivery and outcomes.