The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its largest private health insurer have announced policies that prohibit hospitals and doctors from billing for costs relating to fixing medical errors.
Health policy analysts say the directives outlined separately on Wednesday by the state and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts increase the pressure on hospitals to eliminate mistakes and improve the quality of care.
The state and Blue Cross policies apply to 28 types of surgical, medication, and other errors identified by a national coalition. They include operating on the wrong limb and giving the wrong dose of medication.
Jim Conway, senior vice president of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, says 70 such errors were reported to the state in the first five months of this year.
The changes are part of a national effort.
___
Information from: The Boston Globe
Topics Massachusetts
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
State Farm Must Give Up Trade Secrets in Claims Lawsuits, but Under Court Review 
Highest-Ever Ocean Temperature Measured as Super El Niño Forms 
How One Florida Gas Station Worker Allegedly Defrauded Progressive of $44,700 
Jury Says NYTimes Defamed Alabama Basketball Player, Awards $9.5M 
