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Okewunmi J, Stern BZ, Arroyave Villada JS, Restrepo Mejia M, Zubizarreta N, Poeran J, Forsh DA. Differences in Perioperative Metrics by Race and Ethnicity and Insurance After Pelvic Fracture: A Nationwide Study. Orthopedics 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38864645 DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20240605-03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disparities in orthopedic trauma care have been reported for racial-ethnic minority and socially disadvantaged patients. We examined differences in perioperative metrics by patient race and ethnicity and insurance after pelvic fracture in a national sample in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS The 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample was queried for White, Black, and Hispanic patients 18 to 64 years old with private, Medicaid, or self-pay insurance who underwent non-elective pelvic fracture surgery. Associations between combined race and ethnicity and insurance subgroups and perioperative metrics (time to surgery, length of stay, inhospital complications, institutional discharge) were assessed using multivariable generalized linear and logistic regression models. Adjusted percent differences or odds ratios (ORs) were reported. RESULTS A weighted total of 14,375 surgeries were included (68.8% in White patients, 16.1% in Black patients, and 15.1% in Hispanic patients; 60.0% private insurance, 26.3% Medicaid, and 13.7% self-pay). Compared with White patients with private insurance, all Black insurance subgroups had longer length of stay (+15.38% to +38.78%, P≤.001), as did Hispanic patients with Medicaid (+28.03%, P<.001), White patients with Medicaid (+13.08%, P<.001), and White patients with self-pay (+9.47%, P=.04). Additionally, compared with White patients with private insurance, decreased odds of institutional discharge were observed for all patients with self-pay (OR, 0.24-0.37, P<.001) as well as White patients with Medicaid (OR, 0.70, P=.003) and Hispanic patients with Medicaid (OR, 0.57, P=.002). There were no significant adjusted associations between race and ethnicity and insurance subgroups and in-hospital complications or time to surgery. CONCLUSION These differences in perioperative metrics, primarily for Black patients and patients with self-pay insurance, warrant further examination to identify whether they reflect disparities that should be addressed to promote equitable orthopedic trauma care. [Orthopedics. 202x;4x(x):xx-xx.].
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Knowlton LM, Scott JW, Dowzicky P, Murphy P, Davis KA, Staudenmayer K, Martin RS. Financial toxicity part II: A practical guide to measuring and tracking long-term financial outcomes among acute care surgery patients. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2024; 96:986-991. [PMID: 38439149 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000004310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Acute care surgery (ACS) patients are frequently faced with significant long-term recovery and financial implications that extend far beyond their hospitalization. While major injury and emergency general surgery (EGS) emergencies are often viewed solely as acute moments of crisis, the impact on patients can be lifelong. Financial outcomes after major injury or emergency surgery have only begun to be understood. The Healthcare Economics Committee from the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma previously published a conceptual overview of financial toxicity in ACS, highlighting the association between financial outcomes and long-term physical recovery. The aims of second-phase financial toxicity review by the Healthcare Economics Committee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma are to (1) understand the unique impact of financial toxicity on ACS patients; (2) delineate the current limitations surrounding measurement domains of financial toxicity in ACS; (3) explore the "when, what and how" of optimally capturing financial outcomes in ACS; and (4) delineate next steps for integration of these financial metrics in our long-term patient outcomes. As acute care surgeons, our patients' recovery is often contingent on equal parts physical, emotional, and financial recovery. The ACS community has an opportunity to impact long-term patient outcomes and well-being far beyond clinical recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Marie Knowlton
- From the Section of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery (L.M.K., K.S.), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Department of Surgery (J.W.S.), Division of Trauma, Burn, and Critical Care Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Department of Surgery (P.D.), Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Surgery (P.M.), Division of Trauma/Acute Care Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Section of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery (K.A.D.), Division of General Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; and Department of Surgery (R.S.M.), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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Knowlton LM, Logan DS, Arnow K, Hendricks WD, Gibson AB, Tran LD, Wagner TH, Morris AM. Do hospital-based emergency Medicaid programs benefit trauma centers? A mixed-methods analysis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2024; 96:44-53. [PMID: 37828656 PMCID: PMC10841404 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000004162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hospital Presumptive Eligibility (HPE) is a temporary Medicaid insurance at hospitalization, which can offset patient costs of care, increase access to postdischarge resources, and provide a path to sustain coverage through Medicaid. Less is known about the implications of HPE programs on trauma centers (TCs). We aimed to describe the association with HPE and hospital Medicaid reimbursement and characterize incentives for HPE participation among hospitals and TCs. We hypothesized that there would be financial, operational, and mission-based incentives. METHODS We performed a convergent mixed methods study of HPE hospitals in California (including all verified TCs). We analyzed Annual Financial Disclosure Reports from California's Department of Health Care Access and Information (2005-2021). Our primary outcome was Medicaid net revenue. We also conducted thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with hospital stakeholders to understand incentives for HPE participation (n = 8). RESULTS Among 367 California hospitals analyzed, 285 (77.7%) participate in HPE, 77 (21%) of which are TCs. As of early 2015, 100% of TCs had elected to enroll in HPE. There is a significant positive association between HPE participation and net Medicaid revenue. The highest Medicaid revenues are in HPE level I and level II TCs. Controlling for changes associated with the Affordable Care Act, HPE enrollment is associated with increased net patient Medicaid revenue ( b = 6.74, p < 0.001) and decreased uncompensated care costs ( b = -2.22, p < 0.05). Stakeholder interviewees' explanatory incentives for HPE participation included reduction of hospital bad debt, improved patient satisfaction, and community benefit in access to care. CONCLUSION Hospital Presumptive Eligibility programs not only are a promising pathway for long-term insurance coverage for trauma patients but also play a role in TC viability. Future interventions will target streamlining the HPE Medicaid enrollment process to reduce resource burden on participating hospitals and ensure ongoing patient engagement in the program. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Economic And Value Based Evaluations; Level II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Marie Knowlton
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Daniel S. Logan
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
| | - Katherine Arnow
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
| | | | | | - Linda D. Tran
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
| | - Todd H. Wagner
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
| | - Arden M. Morris
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
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Amato S, Benson JS, Stewart B, Sarathy A, Osler T, Hosmer D, An G, Cook A, Winchell RJ, Malhotra AK. Current patterns of trauma center proliferation have not led to proportionate improvements in access to care or mortality after injury: An ecologic study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2023; 94:755-764. [PMID: 36880704 PMCID: PMC10208642 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000003940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Timely access to high-level (I/II) trauma centers (HLTCs) is essential to minimize mortality after injury. Over the last 15 years, there has been a proliferation of HLTC nationally. The current study evaluates the impact of additional HLTC on population access and injury mortality. METHODS A geocoded list of HLTC, with year designated, was obtained from the American Trauma Society, and 60-minute travel time polygons were created using OpenStreetMap data. Census block group population centroids, county population centroids, and American Communities Survey data from 2005 and 2020 were integrated. Age-adjusted nonoverdose injury mortality was obtained from CDC Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Geographically weighted regression models were used to identify independent predictors of HLTC access and injury mortality. RESULTS Over the 15-year (2005-2020) study period, the number of HLTC increased by 31.0% (445 to 583), while population access to HLTC increased by 6.9% (77.5-84.4%). Despite this increase, access was unchanged in 83.1% of counties, with a median change in access of 0.0% (interquartile range, 0.0-1.1%). Population-level age-adjusted injury mortality rates increased by 5.39 per 100,000 population during this time (60.72 to 66.11 per 100,000). Geographically weighted regression controlling for population demography and health indicators found higher median income and higher population density to be positively associated with majority (≥50%) HLTC population coverage and negatively associated with county-level nonoverdose mortality. CONCLUSION Over the past 15 years, the number of HLTC increased 31%, while population access to HLTC increased only 6.9%. High-level (I/II) trauma center designation is likely driven by factors other than population need. To optimize efficiency and decrease potential oversupply, the designation process should include population level metrics. Geographic information system methodology can be an effective tool to assess optimal placement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.
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Maurer LR, Eruchalu CN, Gaitanidis A, El Hechi M, Allar BG, EdM AR, Salim A, Velmahos GC, Perez NP, de Crescenzo C, Mendoza AE, Dey T, Kaafarani HM, Ortega G. Trauma patients with limited English proficiency: Outcomes from two level one trauma centers. Am J Surg 2023; 225:769-774. [PMID: 36302697 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2022.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outcomes for surgical patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) may be worse compared to patients with English proficiency. We sought to evaluate the association of LEP with outcomes for trauma patients. METHODS Admitted adult patients on trauma service at two Level One trauma centers from 2015 to 2019 were identified. RESULTS 12,562 patients were included in total; 7.3% had LEP. On multivariable analyses, patients with LEP had lower odds of discharge to post-acute care versus home compared to patients with English proficiency (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.58-0.83; p < 0.001) but had similar length of stay (Beta coefficient 1.16; 95% CI 0.00-2.32; p = 0.05), and 30-day readmission (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.87-1.35; p = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS Trauma patients with LEP had comparable short-term outcomes to English proficient patients but were less likely to be discharged to post-acute care facilities. The role of structural barriers, family preferences, and other factors merit future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia R Maurer
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chukwuma N Eruchalu
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Apostolos Gaitanidis
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Majed El Hechi
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin G Allar
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amina Rahimi EdM
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Salim
- Division of Trauma, Burn, and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George C Velmahos
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Numa P Perez
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Healthcare Transformation Lab, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claire de Crescenzo
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - April E Mendoza
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tanujit Dey
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haytham M Kaafarani
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gezzer Ortega
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Rudisill SS, Varady NH, Birir A, Goodman SM, Parks ML, Amen TB. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Total Joint Arthroplasty Care: A Contemporary Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Arthroplasty 2023; 38:171-187.e18. [PMID: 35985539 DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States; however, racial and ethnic disparities in utilizations and outcomes have been well documented. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated associations between race/ethnicity and several metrics in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS In August 2021, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus databases were queried. Sixty three studies investigating racial/ethnic disparities in TJA utilizations, complications, mortalities, lengths of stay (LOS), discharge dispositions, readmissions, and reoperations were included. Study quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS A majority of studies demonstrated disparities in TJA utilizations and outcomes. Black patients exhibited higher rates of 30-day complications (THA odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.29; TKA OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10-1.31), 30-day mortality (THA OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08-1.48), prolonged LOS (THA mean difference [MD] +0.27 days, 95% CI 0.21-0.33; TKA MD +0.30 days, 95% CI 0.20-0.40), nonhome discharges (THA OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.37-1.57; TKA OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.38-1.96), and 30-day readmissions (THA OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.08-1.19; TKA OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.16-1.21) than White patients. Rates of complications (THA 1.18, 95% CI 1.03-1.36), prolonged LOS (TKA MD +0.20 days, 95% CI 0.17-0.23), and nonhome discharges (THA OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10-1.45; TKA OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.22-1.53) were also increased among Hispanic patients, while Asian patients experienced longer LOS (TKA MD +0.09 days, 95% CI 0.05-0.12) but fewer readmissions. Outcomes among American Indian-Alaska Native and Pacific Islander patients were infrequently reported but similarly inequitable. CONCLUSION Racial and ethnic disparities in TJA utilizations and outcomes are apparent, with minority patients often demonstrating lower rates of utilizations and worse postoperative outcomes than White patients. Continued research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of recent efforts dedicated to eliminating inequalities in TJA care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S Rudisill
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York; Rush Medical College of Rush University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Nathan H Varady
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
| | - Aseal Birir
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Susan M Goodman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
| | - Michael L Parks
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
| | - Troy B Amen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
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Nahouraii MR, Cunningham KW, Sing RF, Sing KE, Christmas AB. The Association of the Affordable Care Act With Medicaid Enrollment Status and Costs of Care at a Level I Trauma Center in a Medicaid Non-expansion State. Am Surg 2023; 89:84-87. [PMID: 33877931 DOI: 10.1177/00031348211011144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The intended purpose of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was to expand access to health care insurance for all Americans. In our study, we examine the association of Medicaid enrollment status, health care outcomes, and financial outcomes for trauma patients at a level I urban trauma center in a state that did not expand Medicaid coverage under the ACA. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed trauma admissions from 2011 to 2016, via the trauma registry (n = 36,250). A subgroup of Medicaid patients (n = 8840) was identified and compared for changes in selected variables and demographics following ACA implementation. The association of Medicaid payor status, by 3 year average pre-ACA (n = 3516) and post-ACA (n = 3324), on patient outcomes, payments collected, and accrued costs of care were analyzed. RESULTS Three-year Medicaid median actual payments decreased 7.5% following implementation of the ACA ($4072 vs. $3767, P < .01). In contrast, the Medicaid median total cost of care increased 23% ($3964 vs. $4882, P < .01). The rate of patients insured by Medicaid decreased (24.0% vs. 16.2%, P<.001). Patients were admitted longer (1 d vs. 2 d, P < .01), and more injured (ISS 5 vs. 6, P < .01). DISCUSSION Medicaid payor status under the ACA was associated with a decrease in actual payments and an increase in total cost of care. Moreover, the divergence in actual payments collected with the increased total cost of care warrants examination to ascertain the root cause in efforts to reduce this widening gap.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kelly E Sing
- 22442Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA
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Less Operating and More Overtriage: National Trends in Interfacility Transfer of Facial Fracture Patients. Plast Reconstr Surg 2022; 149:943e-953e. [PMID: 35286290 DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000009039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to characterize demographics, injury patterns, and initial management trends of facial fracture patients who were subject to interfacility transfer. METHODS Using the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2015, facial fracture patients arriving by interfacility transfer were included in the study. RESULTS Over 9 years, 171,618 patients were included, with 37.5 percent having an isolated facial injury. Isolated facial injury patients tended to be younger, less frequently white, more frequently assaulted, and more frequently underwent facial fracture operative repair during the index admission (all, p < 0.001). From 2007 to 2015, insurance coverage increased from 54.6 to 79.0 percent (R2 = 0.90, p < 0.001). In addition, there was a 45 percent proportional increase in patients 50 to 89 years of age compared to a 20 percent decrease in patients 0 to 39 years of age (both, R2 = 0.99, p < 0.001). The proportion of transfer patients with isolated facial injury increased over the study period (32.0 to 39.4 percent, R2 = 0.90, p < 0.001); however, there was a decline in operative intervention (29.5 to 22.1 percent, R2 = 0.94, p < 0.001) and a 151 percent increase in the proportion discharged from the emergency department upon transfer arrival (R2 = 0.99, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Facial fracture patients subject to interfacility transfer comprise a wide array of demographics and injury patterns, with most having concomitant injuries and only a minority undergoing immediate operative intervention. Over time, this demographic has become older, sustained more isolated facial injury, and undergone fewer immediate operative interventions and is more frequently insured and more frequently discharged from the emergency department upon transfer arrival, reflecting increasing rates of secondary overtriage.
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Newsome K, Autrey C, Sen-Crowe B, Ang D, Elkbuli A. The Affordable Care Act and its Effects on Trauma Care Access, Short- and Long-term Outcomes and Financial Impact: A Review Article. ANNALS OF SURGERY OPEN 2022; 3:e145. [PMID: 37600113 PMCID: PMC10431310 DOI: 10.1097/as9.0000000000000145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current evidence regarding the impact of the ACA on trauma outcomes and the financial impact on trauma patients and trauma systems. Background Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death and disability between the ages of 1 to 47 years. Uninsured status has been associated with worse outcomes and higher financial strain. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law with the aim of increasing health insurance coverage. Despite improvements in insured status, it is unclear how the ACA has affected trauma. Methods We conducted a literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed studies investigating the impact of the ACA on trauma published between January 2017 and April 2021. Results Our search identified 20 studies that evaluated the impact of ACA implementation on trauma. The evidence suggests ACA implementation has been associated with increased postacute care access but not significant changes in trauma mortality. ACA implementation has been associated with a decreased likelihood of catastrophic health expenditures for trauma patients. ACA was also associated with an increase in overall reimbursement and amount billed for trauma visits, but a decrease in Medicaid reimbursement. Conclusions Some improvements on the financial impact of ACA implementation on trauma patients and trauma systems have been shown, but studies are limited by methods of calculating costs and by inconsistent pre-/post-ACA timeframes. Further studies on cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis will need to be conducted to definitively determine the impact of ACA on trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Newsome
- From the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL
| | - Cody Autrey
- From the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL
| | - Brendon Sen-Crowe
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, NSU NOVA Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
| | - Darwin Ang
- Department of Surgery, Ocala Regional Medical Center, Ocala, FL
| | - Adel Elkbuli
- Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, FL
- Department of Surgical Education, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, FL
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Kilchenstein D, Banta JE, Oh J, Grohar A. Cost Barriers to Health Services in U.S. Adults Before and After the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Cureus 2022; 14:e21905. [PMID: 35265427 PMCID: PMC8898563 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010 and implemented in 2014 in the United States (U.S.). It was partly intended to reduce the cost burden to health coverage and care. Objective: To determine if ACA implementation reduced the odds of experiencing cost barriers to needed healthcare services for vulnerable groups. Methodology: National Health Interview Survey Data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Set (2011-2013; 2015-2017) were used to examine cost barriers to primary health, mental health, dental services, and prescription medications particularly for adults living in poverty, those of color, and unmarried individuals before and after implementation of the ACA. The study sample included 112,245 individuals, representing an annual average of 138 million adults (aged 26 to 64 years of age), including 59,367 survey respondents from 2011 to 2013 and 52,878 from 2015 to 2017. Results: Pre/post-ACA, cost barriers to medical care decreased from 9.6% to 7.0% of adults, mental care from 3.0% to 2.4%, dental care 15.0 to 11.7%, and prescriptions from 9.9% to 7.0% (all comparisons p<.001). Survey design-adjusted regression results indicated significant decreases in the odds of experiencing cost barriers to physical, mental, dental health services and prescription medications after the implementation of the ACA for people living under 200% poverty, unmarried adults, and people of color. While the race was not a substantial barrier post-ACA, living in poverty and being unmarried remained the biggest predictors of cost barriers to services. Cost barriers for all services increased post ACA for adults with private coverage, and among older adults for prescription and dental services. Conclusions: While the ACA was largely successful in reducing the number of uninsured adults in the U.S., remaining barriers suggest the need to strengthen the ACA and reduce cost barriers to healthcare services for everyone.
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Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Hip Fracture Surgery Care in the United States From 2006 to 2015: A Nationwide Trends Study. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2022; 30:e182-e190. [PMID: 34520407 DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-21-00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial and ethnic disparities in the surgical treatment of hip fractures have been previously reported, demonstrating delayed time to surgery and worse perioperative outcomes for minority patients. However, data are lacking on how these disparities have trended over time and whether national efforts have succeeded in reducing them. The aim of this study was to investigate temporal trends in racial and ethnic disparities in perioperative metrics for patients undergoing hip fracture surgery in the United States from 2006 to 2015. METHODS The National Inpatient Sample was queried for White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients who underwent hip fracture surgery between 2006 and 2015. Perioperative metrics, including delayed time to surgery (≥2 calendar days from admission to surgical intervention), length of stay (LOS), total inpatient complications, and mortality, were trended over time. Changes in racial and ethnic disparities were assessed using linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS During the study period, there were persistent disparities in delayed time to surgery for White versus Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients (eg, White versus Black: 30.1% versus 39.7% in 2006 and 22% versus 28.8% in 2015, Ptrend> 0.05 for all). Although disparities in total LOS remained consistent for White versus Black patients (Ptrend= 0.97), these disparities improved for White versus Hispanic and Asian patients (eg, White versus Hispanic: 4.8 days versus 5.3 in 2006 and 4.1 days versus 4.4 in 2015, Ptrend < 0.05 for both). DISCUSSION Racial and ethnic disparities were persistent in time to surgery and discharge disposition for hip fracture surgery between White and minority patients from 2006 to 2015 in the United States. These disparities particularly affected Black patients. Although there were encouraging signs of improving disparities in the LOS, these findings highlight the need for renewed orthopaedic initiatives and healthcare reform policies aimed at reducing perioperative disparities in orthopaedic trauma care.
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Beydoun HA, Huang S, Beydoun MA, Eid SM, Zonderman AB. Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases Before and After the Affordable Care Act. Cureus 2022; 14:e21338. [PMID: 35186596 PMCID: PMC8849367 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was aimed at reducing healthcare costs, improving healthcare quality, and expanding health insurance coverage among uninsured individuals in the United States. We examined trends in the utilization of radiation therapies and stereotactic radiosurgery before and after its implementation among U.S. adults hospitalized with brain metastasis. Interrupted time-series analyses of data on 383,934 Nationwide Inpatient Sample hospitalizations (2005-2010 and 2011-2013) were performed, whereby yearly and quarterly cross-sectional data were evaluated and Affordable Care Act implementation was considered the main exposure variable, stratifying by patient and hospital characteristics. Overall, we observed a declining trend in radiation therapy over time, with an upward shift post-Affordable Care Act. A downward shift in radiation therapy post-Affordable Care Act was observed among Northeastern and rural hospitals, whereas an upward shift was noted among specific patient (females, 18-39 or ≥ 65 years of age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥10, non-elective admissions, Medicare, self-pay, no pay or other insurance) and hospital (Midwestern, Western, non-teaching urban) subgroups. Stereotactic radiosurgery utilization among recipients of radiation therapy increased over time among Hispanics, elective admissions, and rural hospitals, whereas post-Affordable Care Act was associated with increased stereotactic radiosurgery among African-Americans and non-elective admissions and decreased stereotactic radiosurgery among elective admissions, and rural hospitals. Whereas hospitalized adults in the United States utilized less radiation therapy over the nine-year period, utilization of radiation therapy, in general, and stereotactic radiosurgery, in particular, were not consistent among distinct subgroups defined by patient and hospital characteristics, with some traditionally underserved populations more likely to receive healthcare services post-Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act may be helpful at closing the gap in access to technological advances such as stereotactic radiosurgery for treating brain metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind A Beydoun
- Research Programs, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, USA
| | - Shuyan Huang
- Research Programs, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, USA
| | - May A Beydoun
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, USA
| | - Shaker M Eid
- Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Alan B Zonderman
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, USA
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Madabhushi VV, Bautista RMF, Davenport DL, Evers BM, Judge JM, Bhakta AS. Impact of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion on Reimbursement in Emergency General Surgery. J Gastrointest Surg 2022; 26:191-196. [PMID: 33963499 DOI: 10.1007/s11605-021-05028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kentucky had one of the nation's largest increases in insurance coverage with the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Medicaid expansion, quadrupling the proportion of Kentuckians with insurance coverage. This study compares reimbursement rates for surgical procedures performed by emergency general surgery (EGS) services at the University of Kentucky (UK) before and after Medicaid expansion in January 2014. METHODS This IRB-approved, single-institution study retrospectively evaluated all patients undergoing surgical treatment by our EGS team from 1/1/2011 to 12/31/2016. We queried operative records for the most frequently performed procedures by the EGS service. We reviewed patient electronic medical records and hospital financial records to identify insurance status, diagnosis codes, and expected hospital reimbursements, based on UK Hospital's procedure/payer accounting models. RESULTS Four thousand six hundred ninety-three patient procedures met inclusion criteria; 46.5% of these came before ACA expansion and 53.5% after expansion. The most frequent procedures performed were incision and drainage, laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and exploratory laparotomy. After ACA expansion, the proportion of patients with Medicaid nearly doubled (19.8% vs. 35.6%, p < 0.001). Concomitantly, there was a more than fivefold decrease in the uninsured patient population after expansion (23.3% vs. 4.6%, p < 0.001), and mean hospital reimbursement increased for laparoscopic appendectomy (13.7%, p < 0.001), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (50.7%, p < 0.001), and incision and drainage (70.2%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION After ACA expansion, there was a sustained decrease in proportion of uninsured patients and a concomitant sustained increase in proportion of patients with access to Medicaid services in the EGS operative population, leading to increased mean hospital reimbursements and decreased patient financial burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vashisht V Madabhushi
- Graduate Medical Education, General Surgery Residency Program, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Robert-Marlo F Bautista
- Graduate Medical Education, General Surgery Residency Program, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Daniel L Davenport
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Division of Health Outcomes and Optimal Patient Services, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - B Mark Evers
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Joshua M Judge
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Avinash S Bhakta
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
- University of Kentucky Medical Center, 800 Rose St., C 233, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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Dalton MK, Riviello R, Kubasiak JC, Sokas CM, Osman SY, Jin G, Nitzschke SL, Ortega G. The impact of the Affordable Care Act's medicaid expansion on patients admitted for burns: An analysis of national data. Burns 2021; 48:1340-1346. [PMID: 34903411 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The first states began implementing the Medicaid expansion provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014. Studies have yet to address its impact on burn patients. METHODS Burn patients in geographic regions that expanded Medicaid coverage were compared to patients in regions that did not expand Medicaid before and after implementation of the ACA using bivariate statistics and a difference-in-differences model. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with having Medicaid insurance. The primary outcome of this study was the rate of Medicaid insurance. RESULTS Of 25,331 discharges, we found greater increases in Medicaid coverage after the ACA in the Medicaid expander regions (23.4-40.2%) compared to the non-expander regions (18.5-20.1%). The difference-in-differences estimate between the expander and non-expander regions was 0.15 (95% CI: 0.11-0.18, p < 0.001). Patients admitted in expander regions were more likely to be insured by Medicaid (OR 1.57 [95%CI 1.21-2.05]), as were patients of Black race (OR 1.25 [95%CI 1.19-1.32), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 1.29 [95%CI 1.14-1.46]), and female sex (OR 1.59 [95%CI 1.11-2.27]). We also found a significant interaction between time period (pre-ACA/post-ACA) and expander region location (OR 2.10 [95%CI 1.67-2.62]). CONCLUSIONS The Medicaid expansion provision of the ACA led to increased Medicaid coverage among burn patients which was significantly higher in areas with widespread implementation of the expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Dalton
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
| | - Robert Riviello
- Division of Trauma, Burns, and Surgical Critical Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John C Kubasiak
- Division of Trauma, Burns, and Surgical Critical Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claire M Sokas
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samia Y Osman
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ginger Jin
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Gezzer Ortega
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Grossman Verner HM, Figueroa BA, Salgado Crespo M, Lorenzo M, Amos JD. Trauma center funding: time for an update. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2021; 6:e000596. [PMID: 34423132 PMCID: PMC8340286 DOI: 10.1136/tsaco-2020-000596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Uncompensated care (UC) is healthcare provided with no payment from the patient or an insurance provider. UC directly contributes to escalating healthcare costs in the USA and potentially impacts patient care. In Texas, there has been a steady increase in the number of trauma centers and UC volumes without an increase in trauma funding of UC. The method of calculating UC trauma funds in Texas is imprecise as it is driven by Medicaid volumes and not actual trauma care costs. Methods Five years of annual trauma UC disbursement reports from the Texas Department of State Health Services were used to determine changes in UC economic considerations for level I, II, and III trauma centers in the largest urban trauma service areas (TSAs). Data for UC costs, compensation, and TSA demographics were used to assess variations. Statistical significance was determined using a Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's pairwise comparison post-hoc analysis and logistic regression. Results TSA-E (Dallas-Fort Worth area) has 33% of the level I trauma centers in Texas (n=6) and yet serves only 27% of the total state population across 14 metropolitan and 5 non-metropolitan counties. Since 2015, TSA-E has shown higher UC costs (p<0.02) and lower reimbursement (p<0.01) than the second largest urban hub, TSA-Q (Houston area). TSA-E level I trauma centers trended towards decreased UC reimbursements. Discussion The unregulated expansion of trauma centers in Texas has led to an unprecedented increase in hospitals participating in trauma care. The unbalanced allocation of UC funding could lead to further economic instability, compromise resource allocation, and negatively impact patient care in an already fragile healthcare environment. Level of evidence Level IV; Retrospective economic analysis and evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian A Figueroa
- Clinical Research Institute, Methodist Health System, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Marcos Salgado Crespo
- Associates in Surgical Acute Care, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Manuel Lorenzo
- Associates in Surgical Acute Care, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Joseph D Amos
- Associates in Surgical Acute Care, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Jaramillo JD, Arnow K, Trickey AW, Dickerson K, Wagner TH, Harris AHS, Tran LD, Bereknyei S, Morris AM, Spain DA, Knowlton LM. Acquisition of Medicaid at the time of injury: An opportunity for sustainable insurance coverage. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2021; 91:249-259. [PMID: 33783416 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000003195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uninsured trauma patients are at higher risk of mortality, limited access to postdischarge resources, and catastrophic health expenditure. Hospital Presumptive Eligibility (HPE), enacted with the 2014 Affordable Care Act, enables uninsured patients to be screened and acquired emergency Medicaid at the time of hospitalization. We sought to identify factors associated with successful acquisition of HPE insurance at the time of injury, hypothesizing that patients with higher Injury Severity Score (ISS) (ISS >15) would be more likely to be approved for HPE. METHODS We identified Medicaid and uninsured patients aged 18 to 64 years with a primary trauma diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision) in a large level I trauma center between 2015 and 2019. We combined trauma registry data with review of electronic medical records, to determine our primary outcome, HPE acquisition. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS Among 2,320 trauma patients, 1,374 (59%) were already enrolled in Medicaid at the time of hospitalization. Among those uninsured at arrival, 386 (40.8%) acquired HPE before discharge, and 560 (59.2%) remained uninsured. Hospital Presumptive Eligibility patients had higher ISS (ISS >15, 14.8% vs. 5.7%; p < 0.001), longer median length of stay (2 days [interquartile range, 0-5 days] vs. 0 [0-1] days, p < 0.001), were more frequently admitted as inpatients (64.5% vs. 33.6%, p < 0.001), and discharged to postacute services (11.9% vs. 0.9%, p < 0.001). Patient, hospital, and policy factors contributed to HPE nonapproval. In adjusted analyses, Hispanic ethnicity (vs. non-Hispanic Whites: aOR, 1.58; p = 0.02) and increasing ISS (p ≤ 0.001) were associated with increased likelihood of HPE approval. CONCLUSION The time of hospitalization due to injury is an underused opportunity for intervention, whereby uninsured patients can acquire sustainable insurance coverage. Opportunities to increase HPE acquisition merit further study nationally across trauma centers. As administrative and trauma registries do not capture information to compare HPE and traditional Medicaid patients, prospective insurance data collection would help to identify targets for intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Economic, level IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Jaramillo
- From the Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (J.D.J., K.D.), Stanford University School of Medicine; Department of Surgery, (K.A., A.W.T., T.H.W., A.H.S.H., L.D.T., S.B., A.M.M., L.M.K.), Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center, Stanford University School of Medicine; and Department of Surgery (D.A.S., L.M.K.), Section of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery (L.M.K.), Stanford University, Stanford, California
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17
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Olafson SN, Cohen RB, Parsikia A, Moran B, Kaplan MJ, Leung P. Insurance Status Impacts Hospital Discharge for Penetrating Trauma Survivors. Am Surg 2021; 88:1996-2002. [PMID: 34053228 DOI: 10.1177/00031348211023396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite equalized acute care in trauma, disparities exist in the long-term outcomes of trauma survivors. Prior studies have revealed insurance status plays a role in the discharge destination of blunt trauma survivors. This is yet to be described in patients with penetrating traumatic injury. METHODS A retrospective chart review from 2009 to 2019 from an urban Level 1 trauma center identified adult patients who survived penetrating trauma to discharge. Patients were categorized by insurance status. Patient demographics, discharge destination, and hospital length of stay (LOS) were analyzed using the t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS 1806 patients were identified with 1410 survivors to hospital discharge. Among the survivors, 26.8% were uninsured, 13.1% were privately insured, and 60.0% had Medicare/Medicaid. The uninsured patients were significantly less likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility or skilled nursing facility (OR = .49, 95% CI .35-.71) compared to the insured patients. Uninsured survivors had shorter LOS compared to the other groups (5.8 vs. 7.3, P < .01.) Severity of injury did not significantly influence the discharge destination or LOS between the groups. CONCLUSION Despite recent health care reform, many trauma patients remain uninsured. Our study shows that uninsured penetrating trauma survivors are less likely to be discharged to rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities. This may contribute to uninsured trauma survivors not receiving appropriate post-traumatic care and could lead to the accrual of undue disability, long-term complications, and increased societal burdens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha N Olafson
- Department of Surgery, 6566Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ryan B Cohen
- Department of Surgery, 6566Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Afshin Parsikia
- Department of Surgery, 6566Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin Moran
- Department of Surgery, 6566Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mark J Kaplan
- Department of Surgery, 6566Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pak Leung
- Department of Surgery, 6566Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Oh J, Fernando A, Sibbett S, Carrougher GJ, Stewart BT, Mandell SP, Pham TN, Gibran NS. Impact of the affordable care act's medicaid expansion on burn outcomes and disposition. Burns 2020; 47:35-41. [PMID: 33246670 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2020.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to analyze the impact of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid Expansion on clinical outcomes and patient disposition after burn injury. We hypothesized that increased insurance coverage results in improved outcomes and higher rates of discharge to inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS We reviewed the University of Washington Regional Burn Center registry data for patients admitted from 2011 to 2018. Patients were grouped into two categories: before (2011-2013) and after (2015-2018) Medicaid expansion; we excluded 2014 data to serve as a washout period. Outcomes assessed included length of hospital stay, patient disposition, and mortality. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models with covariates for sex, age, burn size, ethnicity ethnicity, distance from burn center, etiology of burn, and presence of inhalation injury were used to determine the impact of Medicaid expansion on outcomes. RESULTS Rates of uninsured patients decreased while Medicaid coverage increased. Despite increased median burn size after Medicaid expansion, inpatient mortality rates did not change, but average acute care length of stay increased. More patients were discharged to rehabilitation centers. CONCLUSIONS Our study corroborates prior findings of increased insurance coverage since Medicaid expansion. Increased insurance coverage is associated with higher rates of discharge to inpatient rehabilitation programs after burn injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Oh
- University of Washington Department of Surgery, United States
| | - Amali Fernando
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, United States
| | - Stephen Sibbett
- University of Washington Department of Surgery, United States
| | | | | | | | - Tam N Pham
- University of Washington Department of Surgery, United States
| | - Nicole S Gibran
- University of Washington Department of Surgery, United States
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Stey AM, Byskosh A, Etkin C, Mackersie R, Stein DM, Bilimoria KY, Crandall ML. Describing the density of high-level trauma centers in the 15 largest US cities. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2020; 5:e000562. [PMID: 33083559 PMCID: PMC7549441 DOI: 10.1136/tsaco-2020-000562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There has been a proliferation of urban high-level trauma centers. The aim of this study was to describe the density of high-level adult trauma centers in the 15 largest cities in the USA and determine whether density was correlated with urban social determinants of health and violence rates. Methods The largest 15 US cities by population were identified. The American College of Surgeons' (ACS) and states' department of health websites were cross-referenced for designated high-level (levels 1 and 2) trauma centers in each city. Trauma centers and associated 20 min drive radius were mapped. High-level trauma centers per square mile and per population were calculated. The distance between high-level trauma centers was calculated. Publicly reported social determinants of health and violence data were tested for correlation with trauma center density. Results Among the 15 largest cities, 14 cities had multiple high-level adult trauma centers. There was a median of one high-level trauma center per every 150 square kilometers with a range of one center per every 39 square kilometers in Philadelphia to one center per596 square kilometers in San Antonio. There was a median of one high-level trauma center per 285 034 people with a range of one center per 175 058 people in Columbus to one center per 870 044 people in San Francisco. The median minimum distance between high-level trauma centers in the 14 cities with multiple centers was 8 kilometers and ranged from 1 kilometer in Houston to 43 kilometers in San Antonio. Social determinants of health, specifically poverty rate and unemployment rate, were highly correlated with violence rates. However, there was no correlation between trauma center density and social determinants of health or violence rates. Discussion High-level trauma centers density is not correlated with social determinants of health or violence rates. Level of evidence VI. Study type Economic/decision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Stey
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Alexandria Byskosh
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Caryn Etkin
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Robert Mackersie
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Deborah M Stein
- R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Karl Y Bilimoria
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Marie L Crandall
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Lifting the burden: State Medicaid expansion reduces financial risk for the injured. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2020; 88:51-58. [PMID: 31524838 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000002493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injuries are unanticipated and can be expensive to treat. Patients without sufficient health insurance are at risk for financial strain because of high out-of-pocket (OOP) health care costs relative to their income. We hypothesized that the 2014 Medicaid expansion (ME) in Washington (WA) state, which extended coverage to more than 600,000 WA residents, was associated with a reduction in financial risk among trauma patients. METHODS We analyzed all trauma patients aged 18 to 64 years admitted to the sole level 1 trauma center in WA from 2012 to 2017. We defined 2012 to 2013 as the prepolicy period and 2014 to 2017 as the postpolicy period. We used a multivariable linear regression model to evaluate for changes in length of stay, inpatient mortality, and discharge disposition. To evaluate for financial strain, we used WA state and US census data to estimate postsubsistence income and OOP expenses for our sample and then applied these two estimates to determine catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) risk as defined by the World Health Organization (OOP health expenses ≥40% of estimated household postsubsistence income). RESULTS A total of 16,801 trauma patients were included. After ME, the Medicaid coverage rate increased from 20.4% to 41.0%, and the uninsured rate decreased from 19.2% to 3.7% (p < 0.001 for both). There was no significant change in private insurance coverage. Medicaid expansion was not associated with significant changes in clinical outcomes or discharge disposition. Estimated CHE risk by payer was 81.4% for the uninsured, 25.9% for private insurance, and less than 0.1% for Medicaid. After ME, the risk of CHE for the policy-eligible sample fell from 26.4% to 14.0% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION State ME led to an 80% reduction in the uninsured rate among patients admitted for injury, with an associated large reduction in the risk of CHE. However, privately insured patients were not fully protected from CHE. Additional research is needed to evaluate the impact of these policies on the financial viability of trauma centers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Economic analysis, level II.
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21
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The impact of Medicaid expansion on trauma-related emergency department utilization: A national evaluation of policy implications. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2020; 88:59-69. [PMID: 31524835 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000002504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of the 2014 Affordable Care Act (ACA) upon national trauma-related emergency department (ED) utilization is unknown. We assessed ACA-related changes in ED use and payer mix, hypothesizing that post-ACA ED visits would decline and Medicaid coverage would increase disproportionately in regions of widespread policy adoption. METHODS We queried the National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) for those with a primary trauma diagnosis, aged 18 to 64. Comparing pre-ACA (2012) to post-ACA (10/2014 to 09/2015), primary outcomes were change in ED visits and payer status; secondary outcomes were change in costs, discharge disposition and inpatient length of stay. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, including difference-in-differences analyses. We compared changes in ED trauma visits by payer in the West (91% in a Medicaid expansion state) versus the South (12%). RESULTS Among 21.2 million trauma-related ED visits, there was a 13.3% decrease post-ACA. Overall, there was a 7.2% decrease in uninsured ED visits (25.5% vs. 18.3%, p < 0.001) and a 6.6% increase in Medicaid coverage (17.6% vs. 24.2%, p < 0.001). Trauma patients had 40% increased odds of having Medicaid post-ACA (vs. pre-ACA: aOR 1.40, p < 0.001). Patients in the West had 31% greater odds of having Medicaid (vs. South: aOR 1.31, p < 0.001). The post-ACA increase in Medicaid was greater in the West (vs. South: aOR 1.60, p < 0.001). Post-ACA, inpatients were more likely to have Medicaid (vs. ED discharge: aOR 1.20, p < 0.001) and there was a 25% increase in inpatient discharge to rehabilitation (aOR 1.24, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Post-ACA, there was a significant increase in insured trauma patients and a decrease in injury-related ED visits, possibly resulting from access to other outpatient services. Ensuring sustainability of expanded coverage will benefit injured patients and trauma systems. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Economic, level III.
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Impact of Affordable Care Act-related insurance expansion policies on mortality and access to post-discharge care for trauma patients: an analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2020; 86:196-205. [PMID: 30694984 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000002117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uninsured trauma patients have worse outcomes and worse access to post-discharge care that is critically important for recovery after injury. Little is known regarding the impact of the insurance coverage expansion policies of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most notably state-level Medicaid expansion, on trauma patients. In this study, we examine the national impact of these policies on payer mix, inpatient mortality, and access to post-acute care for trauma patients. METHODS We used the 2011-2016 National Trauma Data Bank to evaluate for changes in insurance coverage among trauma patients 18-64 years old. Our pre-/post-expansion models defined 2011-2013 as the pre-policy period, 2015-2016 as the post-policy period, and 2014 as a washout year. To evaluate for policy-associated changes in inpatient mortality and discharge disposition among the policy-eligible sample, we leveraged multivariable linear regression techniques to adjust for year-to-year variation in patient demographics, injury characteristics, and facility traits. We then examined the relationship between the magnitude of facility-level reductions in uninsured patients and access to post-acute care after policy implementation. RESULTS We identified 1,656,469 patients meeting inclusion criteria between 2011 and 2016. The pre-policy uninsured rate of 23.4% fell by 5.9 percentage-points after coverage expansion (p < 0.001), with a corresponding 7.5 percentage-point increase in Medicaid coverage (p < 0.001). After policy implementation, there were no significant changes in inpatient mortality. However, there was a >30% relative increase in discharge to a post-acute care facility and a similar increase in discharge with home health services (p < 0.001 for both). The greatest gains in access to post-acute services were seen among facilities with the greatest reductions in their uninsured rate (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION ACA-related coverage expansion policies, most notably Medicaid expansion, were associated with a >25% reduction in the uninsured rate among non-elderly adult trauma patients. Although no immediate impact on inpatient mortality was seen, insurance coverage expansion was associated with a higher proportion of patients receiving critically important post-discharge care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiological, level III.
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Zogg CK, Scott JW, Metcalfe D, Gluck AR, Curfman GD, Davis KA, Dimick JB, Haider AH. Association of Medicaid Expansion With Access to Rehabilitative Care in Adult Trauma Patients. JAMA Surg 2020; 154:402-411. [PMID: 30601888 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.5177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability for patients of all ages, many of whom are also among the most likely to be uninsured. Passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was intended to improve access to care through improvements in insurance. However, despite nationally reported changes in the payer mix of patients, the extent of the law's impact on insurance coverage among trauma patients is unknown, as is its success in improving trauma outcomes and promoting increased access to rehabilitation. Objective To use rigorous quasi-experimental regression techniques to assess the extent of changes in insurance coverage, outcomes, and discharge to rehabilitation among adult trauma patients before and after Medicaid expansion and implementation of the remainder of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Design, Setting, and Participants Quasi-experimental, difference-in-difference analysis assessed adult trauma patients aged 19 to 64 years in 5 Medicaid expansion (Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New Mexico) and 4 nonexpansion (Florida, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Texas) states. Interventions/Exposure Policy implementation in January 2014. Main Outcomes and Measures Changes in insurance coverage, outcomes (mortality, morbidity, failure to rescue, and length of stay), and discharge to rehabilitation. Results A total of 283 878 patients from Medicaid expansion states and 285 851 patients from nonexpansion states were included (mean age [SD], 41.9 [14.1] years; 206 698 [36.3%] women). Adults with injuries in expansion states experienced a 13.7 percentage point decline in uninsured individuals (95% CI, 14.1-13.3; baseline: 22.7%) after Medicaid expansion compared with nonexpansion states. This coincided with a 7.4 percentage point increase in discharge to rehabilitation (95% CI, 7.0-7.8; baseline: 14.7%) that persisted across inpatient rehabilitation facilities (4.5 percentage points), home health agencies (2.9 percentage points), and skilled nursing facilities (1.0 percentage points). There was also a 2.6 percentage point drop in failure to rescue and a 0.84-day increase in average length of stay. Rehabilitation changes were most pronounced among patients eligible for rehabilitation coverage under the 2-midnight (8.4 percentage points) and 60% (10.2 percentage points) Medicaid payment rules. Medicaid expansion increased rehabilitation access for patients with the most severe injuries and conditions requiring postdischarge care (eg, pelvic fracture). It mitigated race/ethnicity-, age-, and sex-based disparities in which patients use rehabilitation. Conclusions and relevance This multistate assessment demonstrated significant changes in insurance coverage and discharge to rehabilitation among adult trauma patients that were greater in Medicaid expansion than nonexpansion states. By targeting subgroups of the trauma population most likely to be uninsured, rehabilitation gains associated with Medicaid have the potential to improve survival and functional outcomes for more than 60 000 additional adult trauma patients nationally in expansion states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl K Zogg
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.,Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.,Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - John W Scott
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David Metcalfe
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.,Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Abbe R Gluck
- Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Gregory D Curfman
- Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy, Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - Justin B Dimick
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Adil H Haider
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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24
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The potential impact of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion on reducing colorectal cancer screening disparities in African American males. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0226942. [PMID: 31978084 PMCID: PMC6980570 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Few investigations have explored the potential impact of the Affordable Care Act on health disparity outcomes in states that chose to forgo Medicaid expansion. Filling this evidence gap is pressing as Congress grapples with controversial healthcare legislation that could phase out Medicaid expansion. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a commonly diagnosed, preventable cancer in the US that disproportionately burdens African American men and has substantial potential to be impacted by improved healthcare insurance coverage. Our objective was to estimate the impact of the Affordable Care Act (increasing insurance through health exchanges alone or with Medicaid expansion) on colorectal cancer outcomes and economic costs among African American and White males in North Carolina (NC), a state that did not expand Medicaid. We used an individual-based simulation model to estimate the impact of ACA (increasing insurance through health exchanges alone or with Medicaid expansion) on three CRC outcomes (screening, stage-specific incidence, and deaths) and economic costs among African American and White males in NC who were age-eligible for screening (between ages 50 and 75) during the study period, years of 2013–2023. Health exchanges and Medicaid expansion improved simulated CRC outcomes overall, though the impact was more substantial among AAs. Relative to health exchanges alone, Medicaid expansion would prevent between 7.1 to 25.5 CRC cases and 4.1 to 16.4 per 100,000 CRC cases among AA and White males, respectively. Our findings suggest policies that expanding affordable, quality healthcare coverage could have a demonstrable, cost-saving impact while reducing cancer disparities.
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Impact of the Affordable Care Act on trauma and emergency general surgery: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma systematic review and meta-analysis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2020; 87:491-501. [PMID: 31095067 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000002368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trauma and emergency general surgery (EGS) patients who are uninsured have worse outcomes as compared with insured patients. Partially modeled after the 2006 Massachusetts Healthcare Reform (MHR), the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010 with the goal of expanding health insurance coverage, primarily through state-based Medicaid expansion (ME). We evaluated the impact of ME and MHR on outcomes for trauma patients, EGS patients, and trauma systems. METHODS This study was approved by the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Guidelines Committee. Using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology, we defined three populations of interest (trauma patients, EGS patients, and trauma systems) and identified the critical outcomes (mortality, access to care, change in insurance status, reimbursement, funding). We performed a systematic review of the literature. Random effect meta-analyses and meta-regression analyses were calculated for outcomes with sufficient data. RESULTS From 4,593 citations, we found 18 studies addressing all seven predefined outcomes of interest for trauma patients, three studies addressing six of seven outcomes for EGS patients, and three studies addressing three of eight outcomes for trauma systems. On meta-analysis, trauma patients were less likely to be uninsured after ME or MHR (odds ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-0.66). These coverage expansion policies were not associated with a change in the odds of inpatient mortality for trauma (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-1.05). Emergency general surgery patients also experienced a significant insurance coverage gains and no change in inpatient mortality. Insurance expansion was often associated with increased access to postacute care at discharge. The evidence for trauma systems was heterogeneous. CONCLUSION Given the evidence quality, we conditionally recommend ME/MHR to improve insurance coverage and access to postacute care for trauma and EGS patients. We have no specific recommendation with respect to the impact of ME/MHR on trauma systems. Additional research into these questions is needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Review, Economic/Decision, level III.
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Featherall J, Bhattacharyya T. The Dedicated Orthopaedic Trauma Room Model: Adopting a New Standard of Care. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2019; 101:e120. [PMID: 31764372 PMCID: PMC7001767 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.19.00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The dedicated orthopaedic trauma room (DOTR) has emerged over the last decade as an effective approach to improving workflow while reducing the complications and costs that are associated with musculoskeletal trauma care. We surveyed the top 20 hospitals in the United States and found that 14 (70%) utilize a DOTR. Coupled with recent data on improved outcomes and patient flow, we see evidence that the availability of a DOTR has become a best practice for orthopaedic trauma care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Featherall
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Timothy Bhattacharyya
- Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Daly CA, Cho BH, Desale S, Aliu O, Mete M, Giladi AM. The Effects of Medicaid Expansion on Triage and Regional Transfer After Upper-Extremity Trauma. J Hand Surg Am 2019; 44:720-727. [PMID: 31311682 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2019.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Underinsured hand trauma patients are more likely to be transferred to quaternary care centers, which burdens these patients and centers. By increasing insurance coverage, care for less severe upper-extremity injuries may be available closer to patients' homes. We evaluated whether the 2014 expansion of Medicaid in Maryland under the Affordable Care Act decreased the number of uninsured upper-extremity trauma patients and the volume of unnecessary emergency trauma visits at our hand center. METHODS We identified all upper-extremity trauma patients between 2010 and 2017 at our hand trauma referral center. Injury severity was classified based on the need for subspecialty care. Bivariate relations between insurance status and demographic covariates, including injury type and distance, both before and after Medicaid expansion were evaluated. We used patient-level and multinomial logistic regression models to evaluate changes in payer and transfer appropriateness. RESULTS We studied 12,009 acute upper-extremity trauma patients. With Medicaid expansion, the percentage of trauma patients with Medicaid coverage increased from 15% to 24%, with a decrease in uninsured from 31% to 24%. After Medicaid expansion, non-transfer patient appropriateness decreased and appropriateness of transfers remained consistent across all payers. The average distance patients traveled for care remained similar before and after expansion. CONCLUSIONS Medicaid expansion significantly decreased the proportion of uninsured upper-extremity trauma patients. We identified no significant changes in the distances these patients traveled for specialized care. In addition, the appropriateness of transferred patients did not change significantly after expansion, whereas appropriateness of nontransferred patients actually declined after Medicaid expansion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study indicates no notable change in adherence to transfer guidelines after expansion, and a possible increase in use of emergency services by newly insured patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Oluseyi Aliu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
| | - Mihriye Mete
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD
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28
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Acus KE, Indrakanti DL, Miller JL, Parikh PP, Cheslik TG, McCarthy MC. The Affordable Care Act: Long-Term Financial Impact on a Level I Trauma Center. J Surg Res 2019; 243:488-495. [PMID: 31377488 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2019.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies of the impact of the Affordable Care Act on reimbursement for inpatient trauma care do not include disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding. Because trauma centers and other safety-net hospitals are sensitive to any changes in financial support, it is essential to include DSH funding in evaluating overall reimbursement. This study analyzes the long-term financial trends, including DSH, of a level I trauma center in Ohio, a state that expanded Medicaid. METHODS Charges, reimbursement, sources of insurance coverage, Injury Severity Scores, and DSH funding for the trauma patient population of an Ohio American College of Surgeons level 1 trauma center were studied from 2012 to 2017. Data were collected from Transition Systems, Inc. RESULTS During 2012-2017, self-pay patient cases decreased from 15.0% to 4.1% and commercial insurance patients decreased from 34.2% to 27.6%. The percentage of Medicaid patients increased from 15.5% to 27.1%; however, Medicaid reimbursement average per case declined from $17,779 in 2012 to $10,115 in 2017 (a decline of 43.1%). Self-pay charges decreased from $22.0 million to $6.7 million. Total DSH funding, compensation given to hospitals that disproportionately treat underserved populations, decreased 17.4%. CONCLUSIONS Self-pay charges and self-pay patients decreased dramatically; Medicaid patients and charges increased substantially in the years after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act at our trauma center. However, there was a decrease in commercial insurance, which had the highest reimbursement for our hospital, and a significant decline in DSH, a critical supplemental source of funding for safety-net hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin E Acus
- Department of Surgery, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Divya L Indrakanti
- Department of Surgery, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Jon L Miller
- Department of Surgery, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Priti P Parikh
- Department of Surgery, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Thomas G Cheslik
- Department of Surgery, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Mary C McCarthy
- Department of Surgery, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio.
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30
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Knowlton LM. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Geographic Access to Trauma Care-A Multiple-Methods Study of US Urban Trauma Deserts. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e190277. [PMID: 30848802 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.0277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Marie Knowlton
- Section of Trauma & Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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31
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Lack of Health Insurance Associated With Lower Probability of Head Computed Tomography Among United States Traumatic Brain Injury Patients. Med Care 2018; 56:1035-1041. [DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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32
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Scott JW, Shrime MG. Response to: "Reducing the Burden of Catastrophic Health Expenditures in the United States". Ann Surg 2018; 268:e21-e22. [PMID: 29889681 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000002463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John W Scott
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, Department of Otolaryngology and Office of Global Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA
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Knowlton LM, Morris AM, Tennakoon L, Spain DA, Staudenmayer KL. Financial Stability of Level I Trauma Centers Within Safety-Net Hospitals. J Am Coll Surg 2018; 227:172-180. [PMID: 29680414 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Level I trauma centers often exist within safety-net hospitals (SNHs), facilities servicing high proportions of low-income and uninsured patients. Given the current health care funding environment, trauma centers within SNHs may be at particular risk. Using California as a model, we hypothesized that SNHs with trauma centers vary in terms of financial stability. STUDY DESIGN We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from publicly available financial disclosure reports from California's Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Safety-net hospitals were identified from the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems. The primary outcomes metric for financial performance was operating margin. RESULTS California hospitals with Level I trauma centers were analyzed (11 SNH sites, 2 non SNH). The SNHs did not behave uniformly, and were clustered into county-owned SNHs (36%, n = 4) and nonprofit-owned SNHs (64%, n = 7). Mean operating margins for county SNHs, nonprofit SNHs, and non SNHs were -16.5%, 8.4%, and 9.5%, respectively (p < 0.001). From 2010 to 2015, operating margins improved for all hospitals, partly due to increases in the percent of insured patients and changes in payer mix. Nonprofit SNHs had a payer mix similar to that of non SNHs; county SNHs had the highest proportions of MediCal (California Medicaid) (45% vs 36% vs 12%, respectively, p < 0.001) and uninsured patients (17% vs 5% vs 0%, respectively, p < 0.001) compared with nonprofit SNHs and non SNHs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The majority (85%) of Level I trauma centers are within SNHs, whose financial stability is highly variable. A group of SNHs rely on infusions of government funds and are therefore susceptible to changes in policy. These findings suggest deliberate funding efforts are critical to protect the health of the US academic trauma system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Knowlton
- Department of Surgery, Section of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; Stanford - Surgery Policy Improvement Research & Education Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
| | - Arden M Morris
- Department of Surgery, Section of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; Stanford - Surgery Policy Improvement Research & Education Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Lakshika Tennakoon
- Department of Surgery, Section of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; Stanford - Surgery Policy Improvement Research & Education Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - David A Spain
- Department of Surgery, Section of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; Stanford - Surgery Policy Improvement Research & Education Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Kristan L Staudenmayer
- Department of Surgery, Section of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; Stanford - Surgery Policy Improvement Research & Education Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
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