PA hospitals won't charge for 'never events'

Pennsylvania's hospitals said yesterday that they won't charge for care related to serious medical mistakes that occur during an inpatient stay at an acute care hospital, such as wrong-body-part surgery and substantial medication errors. The announcement, which follows similar stands by hospitals in Massachusetts and Minnesota, takes effect this month. Unlike some initiatives, it only applies to patients who are on public healthcare coverage, in this case the state's Medical Assistance program. The move, which was announced by the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, comes on the heels of pressure from the state's Department of Health and Human Services, which would like to refuse payment certain never events.

To find out more about the announcement:
- read this Healthcare Finance News piece

Related Articles:
MN hospitals won't charge for major errors. Report
Many MA hospitals waive charges for errors. Report
By 2008, Medicare won't pay for some hospital errors. Report
Other payors may follow CMS's 'no pay' lead. Report
Business say 'no pay' for major mistakes. Report