Medicare beneficiaries are the ‘white mice’ in some alternative payment models

Regarding the article, “Medicare offers hospitals cash to rev up cardiac rehab participation,” (ModernHealthcare.com, Dec. 22): Critical questions remain on whether the mandatory nature of such models would be effective in garnering patient participation; whether such models pose harm for patients; and why the statutory elimination of any kind of appeal process is warranted, effective, or retarding to beneficiary participation?

Beneficiaries are not and have not been alerted of this. Let us not forget that the Medicare beneficiaries are the “white mice” in these experimental models.

Ted Giovanis Highland, Md.