The nurse is caring for a patient whose insurance coverage is Medicare. The nurse should consider which
information when planning care for this patient?
a. Capitation provides the hospital with a means of recovering va
...
The nurse is caring for a patient whose insurance coverage is Medicare. The nurse should consider which
information when planning care for this patient?
a. Capitation provides the hospital with a means of recovering variable charges.
b. The hospital will be paid for the full cost of the patient’s hospitalization.
c. Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) provide a fixed reimbursement of cost.
d. Medicare will pay the national average for the patient’s condition.
ANS: C
In 1983, Congress established the prospective payment system (PPS), which grouped inpatient hospital services
for Medicare patients into diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), each of which provides a fixed reimbursement
amount based on assigned DRG, regardless of a patient’s length of stay or use of services. Capitation means
that providers receive a fixed amount per patient or enrollee of a health care plan. DRG reimbursement is
based on case severity, rural/urban/regional costs, and teaching costs, not national averages.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:15
OBJ: Compare the various methods for financing health care. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse is teaching the staff about managed care. Which information should the nurse include in the
teaching session?
a. Managed care insures full coverage of health care costs.
b. Managed care only assumes the financial risk involved.
c. Managed care allows providers to focus on illness care.
d. Managed care causes providers to focus on prevention.
ANS: D
Managed care describes health care systems in which the provider or the health care system receives a
predetermined capitated (fixed amount) payment for each patient enrolled in the program. Therefore, the
focus of care shifts from individual illness care to prevention, early intervention, and outpatient care. The actual
cost of care is the responsibility of the provider. The managed care organization (provider) assumes financial
risk, in addition to providing patient care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:15
OBJ: Explain the structure of the United States health system. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse is teaching a family about health care plans. Which information from the nurse indicates a correct
understanding of the Affordable Care Act?
a. A family can choose whether to have health insurance with no consequences.
b. Primary care physician payments from Medicaid services can equal Medicare.
c. Adult children up to age 26 are allowed coverage on the parent’s plan.
d. Private insurance companies can deny coverage for any reason.
ANS: C
Adult children up to the age of 26, regardless of student status, are allowed to be covered under their parents’
health insurance plan. All individuals are required to have some form of health insurance by 2014 or pay a
penalty through the tax code. Primary care physician payments for Medicaid services increased to equal
Medicare payments. Implementation of insurance regulations prevents private insurance companies from
denying insurance coverage for any reason and from charging higher premiums based on health status and
gender.
DIF:Remember (knowledge)REF:15-16
OBJ: Explain the structure of the United States health system. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
4. A nurse is caring for a patient in the hospital. When should the nurse begin discharge planning?
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