HHS may contract with pharma subsidiary to reduce readmissions

HHS is proposing to contract an undisclosed pharma subsidiary to help hospitals reduce preventable readmissions, according to an advisory opinion released by the agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG). Under the proposed contract, the subsidiary would provide hospitals a package of services, which the hospitals could then provide to patients to prevent readmission -- defined as an admission within 30 days of a discharge. The services would include access to a "patient liaison" to go over a patients' discharge plan and electronic health record as well as to help the patient schedule and remember follow-up appointments.

The OIG opinion notes that the proposed contract "poses a low risk of fraud and abuse," including kickbacks to the pharma, because it is unlikely to lead to overutilization of federally reimbursable services or interfere with clinical decision-making. The contract would initially focus on reducing the readmission of patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and pneumonia. ...