Download The Report Options For Reducing The Deficit 934959

Downloadthe Report Options For Reducing The Deficit 2017 To 2026 Fr

Download the report “Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026” from the Congressional Budget Office website. Read Chapter 5 of the report. Select one of the health options listed. Select a health care facility or service (e.g., hospital, physician practice, long-term care facility, ambulance service, pharmacy, or skilled nursing facility), and evaluate the effects that implementing the health option would have on a health care facility or service you selected. Write a 350- to 525-word article about your evaluation and proposed changes to the facility or service that can help mitigate negative effects. Include a citation of your article in your assignment. Cite 3 reputable references to support your assignment (e.g., trade or industry publications, government or agency websites, scholarly works, or other sources of similar quality).

Paper For Above instruction

The Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) report “Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026” provides a comprehensive analysis of potential fiscal strategies, including various health care cost containment options. Among these, the implementation of bundled payments for hospital services stands out as a significant policy aimed at reducing Medicare expenditures while promoting efficiency and coordinated care. This evaluation will focus on the impact of adopting bundled payment models on hospitals, particularly how such reforms can alter hospital operations, financial stability, and patient care quality, and what modifications can mitigate potential negative consequences.

Bundled payments refer to a system whereby a single payment covers all services related to a specific treatment or condition over a defined period. For hospitals, implementing bundled payments can lead to a shift from traditional fee-for-service models, encouraging hospitals to coordinate care more effectively and reduce unnecessary procedures. However, this transition may also produce challenges such as financial risk exposure, potential cuts in service quality, and pressure to limit care, which could negatively affect both patients and hospital staff. In particular, hospitals may face financial strain when patient complications or extended stays occur, as they would bear the cost to manage these within the bundled payment amount.

To address these challenges, hospitals can undertake several changes. First, investing in advanced health information technology (HIT) systems can improve care coordination, reduce duplicate testing, and facilitate real-time data sharing among providers. This technology integration helps hospitals identify trends and intervene early, ultimately reducing complications during inpatient stays. Second, hospitals should enhance their postoperative care programs, including patient education and outpatient support, which can decrease readmission rates—a major concern under bundled payment models. Third, fostering multidisciplinary teams comprising physicians, nurses, and case managers promotes comprehensive and efficient patient management, reducing unnecessary procedures or tests.

Moreover, hospitals must focus on staff training to adapt to new payment and care models. Educating clinical and administrative personnel about bundled payment processes can enhance their ability to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality. Additionally, establishing strategic partnerships with outpatient providers and post-acute care facilities can expand care options and improve recovery outcomes, thus mitigating risks associated with bundled payments. These collaborations can also facilitate the development of community-based care programs tailored to patient needs and resource availability.

Implementation of these strategic changes can minimize the adverse effects of transitioning to bundled payments while promoting high-quality, cost-effective care. This shift necessitates a cultural change within hospitals towards more integrated care delivery and proactive management. Balancing financial incentives with clinical excellence will be pivotal to ensure that hospitals do not compromise patient safety or service standards in pursuit of cost savings. Thus, adopting technological advancements, strengthening care continuity, and investing in staff development are critical measures to successfully navigate the complexities of healthcare reform outlined in the CBO’s report.

References

  • Congressional Budget Office. (2016). Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026. U.S. Congress. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/51234
  • Barksdale, D., & Rittenhouse, D. (2018). The Impact of Bundled Payments on Hospital Care. Journal of Healthcare Management, 63(4), 253–265. https://doi.org/10.1097/JHM-D-17-00050
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative. https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/bpci
  • Dummit, L. A., & Coltin, K. (2019). Payment Reform and Hospital Performance: The Role of Bundled Payments. Health Affairs, 38(9), 1461–1468. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00745
  • Kohler, J. A., & Ehrenfeld, J. M. (2020). Managing Risks in Transition to Bundled Payment Models. Anesthesiology, 132(4), 734–741. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000003451
  • Mitchell, J., & Johnson, T. (2021). Technological Innovations for Care Coordination in Hospitals. Journal of Medical Systems, 45(2), 12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-020-01524-6
  • MedPAC. (2022). Health care Payment and Delivery System Reforms. Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. https://www.medpac.gov/reports
  • Thomas, K., & Goodman, D. (2019). Strategies for Improving Hospital Efficiency under Value-Based Purchasing. Health Policy Journal, 33(7), 789–795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.04.005
  • National Institute of Health Care Management Foundation. (2020). The Future of Payment Models in Healthcare. https://nihcm.org/publications
  • Shah, N. H., & Escarce, J. (2019). Evolving Payment Models and Hospital Operations. Medical Care Research and Review, 76(3), 251–262. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558718825234

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