Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

FSogol

(45,355 posts)
Mon Nov 16, 2015, 03:23 PM Nov 2015

Thanks Gov O'Malley: Budget Switch For Maryland Hospitals Is Starting To Pay Off

Results are in from the first year of a bold change to the way hospitals get paid in Maryland, and so far the experiment seems to be working.

We recently reported on the unique system the state is trying to rein in health care costs. Maryland phased out fee-for-service payments to hospitals in favor of a fixed pot of money each year.

A report in the latest New England Journal of Medicine says the experiment saved an estimated $116 million in 2014, the first year it was in operation.

The state of Maryland and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services struck an agreement that ended payments to hospitals for each procedure, each emergency room visit and each overnight stay. Instead, Maryland hospitals receive a set amount of money — called a global budget – for the whole year, regardless of how many patients they treat. In essence, Maryland flipped financial incentives for hospitals. In the past, more patients meant more revenue. Now, with revenue fixed for the year, hospitals benefit when patients are healthy and stay out of the hospital.


story from NPR at
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/11/11/455635722/budget-switch-for-maryland-hospitals-is-starting-to-pay-off
Original study from the New England Journal of Medicine:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1508037


8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Thanks Gov O'Malley: Budget Switch For Maryland Hospitals Is Starting To Pay Off (Original Post) FSogol Nov 2015 OP
'A report in the latest New England Journal of Medicine says the experiment saved elleng Nov 2015 #1
Just more accomplishments. FSogol Nov 2015 #2
Right, and it's bothered me a lot lately. elleng Nov 2015 #3
I think that's a great accomplishment. Good for him, he does have some great sabrina 1 Nov 2015 #4
Thanks, sabrina 1, elleng Nov 2015 #5
this is a fantastic accomplishment bigtree Nov 2015 #6
It really is, bigtree, elleng Nov 2015 #7
Thank you, FSogol, for posting this! Koinos Nov 2015 #8

elleng

(130,126 posts)
1. 'A report in the latest New England Journal of Medicine says the experiment saved
Mon Nov 16, 2015, 03:26 PM
Nov 2015

estimated $116 million in 2014, the first year it was in operation.

The state of Maryland and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services struck an agreement that ended payments to hospitals for each procedure, each emergency room visit and each overnight stay. . .

In essence, Maryland flipped financial incentives for hospitals. In the past, more patients meant more revenue. Now, with revenue fixed for the year, hospitals benefit when patients are healthy and stay out of the hospital.'



FSogol

(45,355 posts)
2. Just more accomplishments.
Mon Nov 16, 2015, 03:59 PM
Nov 2015

No one on DU seems to be interested in issues and accomplishments are not seen as positives.

elleng

(130,126 posts)
3. Right, and it's bothered me a lot lately.
Mon Nov 16, 2015, 04:06 PM
Nov 2015

Today's a bright and shiny day, so I feel a bit better. This is SUCH good news!

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
4. I think that's a great accomplishment. Good for him, he does have some great
Mon Nov 16, 2015, 04:09 PM
Nov 2015

ideas and would make a good president imo.

People should be interested in these kinds of achievements, if that is what they care about, issues.

Applause for O'Malley for accomplishing this.

bigtree

(85,915 posts)
6. this is a fantastic accomplishment
Mon Nov 16, 2015, 05:17 PM
Nov 2015

...Md., under O'Malley, went it's own way on healthcare and it's paying off. This is the latest fantastic example.

elleng

(130,126 posts)
7. It really is, bigtree,
Mon Nov 16, 2015, 05:21 PM
Nov 2015

FANTASTIC! (Unfortunate that rational programs are properly characterized as 'fantastic.')

Koinos

(2,792 posts)
8. Thank you, FSogol, for posting this!
Mon Nov 16, 2015, 06:17 PM
Nov 2015

Can you imagine what a "President O'Malley" could accomplish for health care nationally?

O'Malley continues to impress me and never disappoints.

I think that part of his problem is that his accomplishments are so numerous and his resume so solid that it goes right past sound-bite minds.

I am very proud of him and very proud of Maryland.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»Thanks Gov O'Malley: Budg...