What is the primary focus of a bundling program for post-acute care?

The primary focus of a bundling program for post-acute care centers on standardized payment for post-acute services that begin within 30 days of hospitalization. This approach is designed to improve care coordination and encourage providers to work together effectively during the transition from hospital to post-acute settings. By focusing on care that follows a hospital stay, bundling programs can enhance patient outcomes while controlling costs, as providers are incentivized to deliver efficient and effective care.

This methodology ultimately aims to reduce overall healthcare expenditures and improve the patient experience by ensuring continuity of care. Unlike the other options, which either refer to broader hospital service payments or pre-hospital services, the bundling program specifically targets the services that patients receive after they leave the hospital, directly aligning with the objectives of improving post-acute care delivery.