In 2011, septicemia readmissions for Medicaid patients cost hospitals $319 million, but septicemia was only the eighth most common readmission condition. The most common readmission condition for Medicaid patients was mood disorders, which cost $286 million.
Overall, Medicaid readmission costs pale in comparison to Medicare. The 10 most common Medicaid readmissions cost hospitals $2.06 billion in 2011, while congestive heart failure — the most common and expensive Medicare readmission — cost $1.75 billion alone.
Here are the costs of the 10 most common Medicaid readmissions, according to the AHRQ brief. Note: Costs were defined as the actual expenses incurred in the production of hospital services (such as wages, supplies and utility costs). A readmission was defined as a patient who was hospitalized within 30 days of a previous hospital admission.
1. Septicemia (except in labor) — $319 million (17,600 total readmissions)
2. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders — $302 million (35,800 total readmissions)
3. Mood disorders — $286 million (41,600 total readmissions)
4. Congestive heart failure (nonhypertensive) — $273 million (18,800 total readmissions)
5. Diabetes mellitus with complications — $251 million (23,700 total readmissions)
6. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis — $178 million (16,400 total readmissions)
7. Alcohol-related disorders — $141 million (20,500 total readmissions)
8. Other complications of pregnancy — $122 million (21,500 total readmissions)
9. Substance-related disorders — $103 million (15,200 total readmissions)
10. Early or threatened labor — $86 million (19,000 total readmissions)
To view the costs of the 10 most common Medicare readmissions in 2011, click here.
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