Listen on: 
Hospital readmissions have been a focus in healthcare for over a decade, yet progress has plateaued. Despite increased investment in discharge planning, care coordination, and compliance with programs like the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP), rates remain largely unchanged.
In this episode of the Human Resilience Podcast, hosts Bob Gold and Shelley Schoenfeld are joined by Adam Abramowitz to examine why. They explore the structural, financial, and behavioral realities shaping readmissions today—including a critical insight: a small percentage of patients can drive a disproportionate share of readmissions. From payer differences across Medicare, Medicaid, and managed care populations to the impact of behavioral health conditions, the conversation challenges traditional approaches and highlights where current strategies fall short.
The discussion also confronts the role of misaligned incentives in the system, where readmissions can still generate revenue, complicating efforts to reduce them. Layered in is a behavioral science perspective—reinforcing that outcomes are often determined after discharge, in real-life moments where support is limited, and follow-through is hardest.
Listen and Learn:
- Why hospital readmission rates have plateaued despite years of effort
- How a small percentage of patients drive a disproportionate share of readmissions
- The role of financial incentives and why they may conflict with quality goals
- How behavioral health conditions increase readmission risk across populations
- Why one-size-fits-all strategies fall short—and how cohort-based approaches can improve outcomes
- What it will take to align leadership, incentives, and strategy moving forward
Readmissions aren’t just a clinical issue—they reflect how well the system supports patients beyond the hospital. And improving outcomes will require a more targeted, aligned, and human-centered approach.
Hosts
Bob Gold, Chief Behavioral Technologist, GoMo Health
Shelley Schoenfeld, Chief Strategist, GoMo Health
Featured Guest
Adam Abramowitz, Healthcare Operations Expert
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