The state of Pennsylvania has released a new cardiac surgery performance report which for the first time includes hospital-specific payment data. According to the report, which was issued by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, the average payment for heart bypass procedures by commercial health plans was $30,247, and for valve-only procedures $41,651 during 2005. Medicare paid $29,175 for bypasses and $42, 433 for valve-only procedures. The state's hospital association praised the report, though it suggested that in the future, the data should be risk-adjusted to account for differences in a patient's health status.
To find out more about the report:
- read this Philadelphia Business Journal item [1]
ALSO: According to one analysis, the PA study proves that higher prices don't necessarily translate to higher-quality care. Article [2]
Related Article:
PA first to report hospital-specific infection rates. Report [3]
Report card on CA doctors coming. Report [4]
OH hospitals debate quality ratings. Report [5]
Links:
[1] http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2007/06/11/daily20.html?b=1181534400^1476746
[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/14/health/14insure.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=health&adxnnlx=1181911337-A2/au4tePwTiZqXQLucmCw
[3] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/pa-first-to-report-hospital-specific-infection-rates/2006-11-16
[4] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/report-card-on-ca-doctors-coming/2007-03-13
[5] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/oh-hospitals-debate-quality-ratings/2006-12-07