Medicare launches revamp for heart attacks, hip fractures

WASHINGTON (AP) - Heart attacks and broken hips cause a lot of suffering and worry as people grow older.

This year, Medicare wants to start changing how it pays for the treatment of these life-threatening conditions. The goal is to promote quality and contain costs by encouraging doctors, hospitals and rehab centers to coordinate care.

Hospitals and doctors in dozens of communities are already gearing up. Beneficiaries and family members may notice new approaches.

Ninety-eight metro areas will be involved in the cardiac care experiment, and 67 in the hip surgery test.

It's part of a big push under the Obama administration to reinvent Medicare, steering away from paying for services regardless of quality and cost. It's unclear whether the new Trump administration will continue the trend, slow down or even hit pause.