Table 3. Risk-Adjusted Readmission Rates for Black and White Medicare Beneficiaries Discharges From Safety-Net and Non–Safety-Net Hospitals, 2007-2015a.
| Time Pointb | Readmitted Patients, % (95% CI)c | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety-Net Hospitals | Non–Safety-Net Hospitals | |||
| White Patients | Black Patients | White Patients | Black Patients | |
| Start of sample (2007, Q1) | 17.34 (17.24-17.45) | 18.39 (18.16-18.61) | 16.64 (16.59-16.70) | 17.68 (17.53-17.84) |
| HRRP implemented (2010, Q2) | 17.08 (17.00-17.16) | 18.32 (18.12-18.53) | 16.33 (17.37-17.61) | 17.49 (17.37-17.61) |
| HRRP penalties enforced (2012, Q4) | 15.72 (15.63-15.80) | 15.91 (15.70-16.13) | 14.95 (14.91-15.00) | 15.65 (15.53-15.76) |
| End of sample (2015, Q3) | 15.64 (15.52-15.77) | 16.30 (16.04-16.56) | 14.90 (14.84-14.96) | 15.67 (15.52-15.84) |
Abbreviations: HRRP, Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program; Q, quarter.
Risk-adjusted readmission rates and 95% CIs were estimated at key policy transition points between 2007 and 2015 using the linear spline multivariable linear regression models and the margins postestimation command in Stata, version 14.1 (StataCorp).
The start of the study sample began on January 1, 2007. The Affordable Care Act was implemented on April 1, 2010. The HRRP began enforcing penalties September 30, 2012. The study sample ended on September 30, 2015.
All estimates were adjusted for patient characteristics (ie, age, sex, 30 comorbidities defined by Medicare’s hospital readmission risk adjustment,25 and Medicare/Medicaid dual-eligible status26), hospital characteristics (ie, number of beds, profit status, teaching hospital status [indicated by having an allopathic or osteopathic residency program], rural location of hospital, and US Census–designated region27), and incorporated hospital fixed effects.