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Comment by teej | Hacker News Reader

Hospitals that take a majority Medicare patients go out of business. Medicare patients are subsidized by the rest of a hospital’s patient population.

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That’s a common but false talking point. Hospitals with above average Medicare patients generally get paid more than the general population. It’s also a question of what percentage of a nominal bill gets paid vs sent to collections.

Given that it's a common misconception, would you supply some evidence for your position?

Hospitals receive extra payments when they have an unusual number of Medicare patients.

https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/finance/dsh/index.html

It’s just another case where the government splits spending across multiple programs.

I didn't know that program existed. Still, I don't see that the existence of the program adds up to your assertion:

> Hospitals with above average Medicare patients generally get paid more than the general population.

That's Medicaid, not Medicare

When they have a disproportionate share of Medicaid, not Medicare patients.

And the added payment isn’t that much.

Generally Medicaid pays below cost. Medicare is reasonable and leaves providers with a small profit (single digit percentage).

Should have been more clear.

From 2015 to 2017 Medicare lowered it’s uncompensated care payments. However, that program covers uncompensated care underpayment. Medicare explicitly does not pay for everything at hospitals: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/inpatient-hospital-care

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