Medicare penalizes more hospitals for readmissions

October 8, 2026Rebecca Pifer ParduhnHealthcare DiveHospital Readmissions,Medicare, MA, MSSP, & Medicare ACOs,Quality Metrics, Quality Reporting, Clinical Quality Measures (CQMs),CMS, CMMI, Government, Policy & Regulations,Hospitals

About 80% of hospitals are having their Medicare payments shaved down because of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program this fiscal year, compared to 78% the year prior, according to CMS data.

Dive Brief:

The number of hospitals penalized under a Medicare program meant to prevent avoidable readmissions continues to tick up.
Eighty percent of hospitals, or 2,334 facilities, are having their Medicare payments reduced for the 2027 fiscal year — up from 78%, or 2304 facilities, in 2026, according to new data from the CMS.
The penalties, which are the first based on data that includes Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, took effect Oct. 1.

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