Where Does the Money Go? Analyzing the Patient Experience in Safety-Net Hospitals

The federal mandate that individuals purchase health insurance in the United States coupled with the state expansion of Medicaid coverage will theoretically eliminate the need for Medicare DSH payments. It is calculated, however, that hospitals will need increased Medicaid reimbursements of more than $300 per patient to make up for the loss of Medicare DSH reimbursements. Hospitals will likely suffer financially as a direct result of reduced Medicare reimbursements through the DSH program.