Solving the Readmissions Puzzle: How Do Variability and Preventability Fit?

Since October 1, 2012, the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, established by the Affordable Care Act, has imposed financial penalties on hospitals with high readmission rates for targeted conditions covered by Medicare. This program has led to reductions in readmissions even for conditions that were not initially targeted for such penalties.1 Although this program has almost exclusively targeted Medicare, and thus adult patients, some limited state programs have begun targeting pediatrics.2 Because financial penalties and incentives are likely here to stay, understanding pediatric readmissions is key for policymakers, hospital administrators, and clinicians.