A hospital designated by a state as disproportionately serving Medicaid beneficiaries and other indigent patients. Medicaid allows states to make special payments to disproportionate share hospitals, and they are eligible for federal matching funds.
A hospital that receives supplemental Medicaid (Medi-Cal) funding related to a case mix of low-income patients.
A hospital that provides care to a high number of patients who cannot afford to pay and/or do not have insurance.
Under a Prospective Payment System, an adjustment is made to the payment to hospitals that serve a significantly disproportionate share of low-income patients. The DSH assignment is intended to compensate hospitals that treat large proportions of low-income and/or Medicaid patients of the cost to the hospital for providing that service. Back to the top of the page
A hospital with a disproportionately large share of low-income patients. Under Medicaid, States augment payment to these hospitals. Medicare inpatient hospital payments are also adjusted for this added burden.
The United States government provides special funding to hospitals who treat significant populations of indigent patients through the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) programs.