Patient Origination

What is patient origination?

Patient origination is the location in which a patient lives and receives care, represented as either a zip code or county. Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) determines the total number of Medicare cases in a zip code compared to the total number of Medicare cases at the hospital. 

Why is patient origination important to healthcare?

Patient origination is important because it shows healthcare providers where patients might seek care based on where they live. This intelligence can help providers develop new services or facilities. It also breaks down where an organization’s patients are from, providing analytical context to specific populations’ care needs and choices.