In comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) discharge planning proposed rule, the association urged CMS to ensure that discharge planning requirements result in active participation by patients and do not place an administrative burden on essential hospitals.
The association said it generally supports the move toward patient-centered care, but urged CMS to ensure that essential hospitals are able to tailor their partnerships with community organizations, as part of the discharge planning process, based on the complex needs of the patients they serve.
America’s Essential Hospitals also said it supports the medication reconciliation process and connecting patients with medications upon discharge, but highlighted the importance of interagency alignment of guidance addressing medications upon discharge. Recent suggested changes to the 340B Drug Pricing Program, as proposed by the Health Resources and Services Administration, would hinder the ability of essential hospitals to provide medication to patients upon discharge.
Contact Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
