Last week, CMS proposed a rule to reward hospitals based on high quality of patient care, a requirement under the health care reform law. Under “value-based purchasing,” high-performing hospitals will receive higher Medicare payments.
“Today’s proposal is a huge leap forward in improving the quality and safety of America’s hospitals for both Medicare beneficiaries and all Americans,” CMS administrator Donald Berwick said. “The hospital value-based purchasing program will reward hospitals for improving patients’ experiences of care, while making care safer by reducing medical mistakes.”
The proposed rule will take effect in 2013. The comment period for the proposed rule ends on March 8.
