Likelihood for Readmission of Hospitalized Medicare Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions Up 600%

600%

The increased likelihood of 30-day hospital readmission for hospitalized Medicare patients who have 10 or more chronic conditions, compared with those who have only one to four chronic conditions.⁴ These patients with multiple chronic conditions represent only 8.9% of Medicare beneficiaries but account for 50% of all rehospitalizations. The numbers are drawn from a 5% sample of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries during the first nine months of 2008. Those with five to nine chronic conditions had 2.5 times the odds for being readmitted.

Larry Beresford is a freelance writer in Alameda, Calif.

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