readmission
(5) Definitions For purposes of this subsection: (A) Applicable condition The term “applicable condition” means, subject to subparagraph (B), a condition or procedure selected by the Secretary among conditions and procedures for which— (i) readmissions (as defined in subparagraph (E)) that represent conditions or procedures that are high volume or high expenditures under this subchapter (or other criteria specified by the Secretary); and (ii) measures of such readmissions— (I) have been endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa(a) of this title ; and (II) such endorsed measures have exclusions for readmissions that are unrelated to the prior discharge (such as a planned readmission or transfer to another applicable hospital). (B) Expansion of applicable conditions Beginning with fiscal year 2015, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, expand the applicable conditions beyond the 3 conditions for which measures have been endorsed as described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I) as of March 23, 2010 , to the additional 4 conditions that have been identified by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission in its report to Congress in June 2007 and to other conditions and procedures as determined appropriate by the Secretary. In expanding such applicable conditions, the Secretary shall seek the endorsement described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I) but may apply such measures without such an endorsement in the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa(a) of this title as long as due consideration is given to measures that have been endorsed or adopted by a consensus organization identified by the Secretary. (C) Applicable hospital The term “applicable hospital” means a subsection (d) hospital or a hospital that is paid under section 1395f(b)(3) of this title , as the case may be. (D) Applicable period The term “applicable period” means, with respect to a fiscal year, such period as the Secretary shall specify. (E) Readmission The term “readmission” means, in the case of an individual who is discharged from an applicable hospital, the admission of the individual to the same or another applicable hospital within a time period specified by the Secretary from the date of such discharge. Insofar as the discharge relates to an applicable condition for which there is an endorsed measure described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I), such time period (such as 30 days) shall be consistent with the time period specified for such measure.