1
|
Torabi SJ, Tsang C, Patel RA, Nguyen TV, Manes RP, Kuan EC, Trask DK. Medicare volume and reimbursement trends in lingual and hyoid procedures for obstructive sleep apnea. Am J Otolaryngol 2024; 45:104361. [PMID: 38729015 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104361] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to analyze utilization and reimbursement trends in lingual and hyoid surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS Annual retrospective data on lingual and hyoid OSA surgeries was obtained from the 2000-2021 Medicare Part B National Summary Datafiles. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes utilized included 21,685 (hyoid myotomy and suspension [HMS]), 41,512 (tongue base suspension [TBS]), 41,530 (radiofrequency ablation of the tongue [RFT]) and 42,870 (lingual tonsillectomy [LT]). RESULTS The number of lingual and hyoid OSA surgeries rose 2777 % from 121 in 2000 to 3481 in 2015, before falling 82.9 % to 594 in 2021. Accordingly, Medicare payments rose 17,899 % from an inflation-adjusted $46,958 in 2000 to $8.45 million in 2015, before falling drastically to $341,011 in 2021. As the number of HMSs (2000: 91; 2015: 84; 2021: 165), TBS (2009: 48; 2015: 31; 2021: 16), and LTs (2000: 121; 2015: 261; 2021: 234) only experienced modest changes in utilization, this change was largely driven by RFT (2009: 340; 2015: 3105; 2021: 179). Average Medicare payments for RFT rose from $1110 in 2009 to $2994 in 2015, before falling drastically to $737 in 2021. CONCLUSION Lingual and hyoid surgery for OSA has overall fallen in utilization among the Medicare population from 2000 to 2021. However, there was a brief spike in usage, peaking in 2015, driven by the adoption (and then quick dismissal) of RFT. The rise and fall in RFT use coincide with the rise and fall in reimbursement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sina J Torabi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia Tsang
- School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Rahul A Patel
- Frank H. Netter M.D. School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, North Haven, CT, USA
| | - Theodore V Nguyen
- School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - R Peter Manes
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Edward C Kuan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Douglas K Trask
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Conic J, Reske T. Trends in Medicare utilization and reimbursement for hematology/oncology procedures from 2012 to 2023: A geriatric oncology perspective. Aging Med (Milton) 2024; 7:171-178. [PMID: 38725700 PMCID: PMC11077331 DOI: 10.1002/agm2.12298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Given the scarcity of data exploring reimbursement trends in the field of hematology/oncology, we sought to characterize these trends for common procedures in this field from 2012 to 2023. Methods Using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool we collected reimbursement data for 40 hematology/oncology procedure codes from 2012 to 2023. Data was adjusted to 2023 United States (US) dollars using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Results From 2012 to 2023 gross reimbursement for the facility price decreased 4.4% and increased 9.2% for the non-facility price. When adjusted for inflation, compensation decreased 96.1% and 96.6%, respectively. None of the 40 examined Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes increased in net reimbursement over the study period. Conclusions Medicare reimbursement for common hematology/oncology procedures decreased from 2012 to 2023. Further research is necessary to explore the implications of these trends on the delivery of patient care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Conic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatric MedicineLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - T. Reske
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatric Medicine and Section of Hematology/OncologyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Patel RA, Torabi SJ, Izreig S, Peter Manes R. Trends in Medicare Reimbursements for Commonly Performed Laryngeal Procedures from 2000 to 2021. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 170:1109-1116. [PMID: 38219740 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.640] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Numerous studies among different specialties have suggested that inflation-adjusted Medicare reimbursements have steadily declined in the last few decades. The objective of this study is to investigate whether this is true within the field of laryngology. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. SETTING Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Physician Fee Schedule. METHODS 2000-2021 fees for laryngeal surgeries (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] codes 31530, 31531, 31535, 31536, 31540, 31541, 31545, 31546, 31551-31554, 31560, 31561, 31570), and laryngectomies (CPTs 31360, 31365, 31367, 31368, 31370, 31375, 31380, 31382, 31390, 31395) were gathered. United States consumer price index (CPI) was used to adjust all gathered data for inflation to 2021 US dollars. RESULTS During the study period, unadjusted reimbursement for non-facility and facility laryngeal surgeries decreased an average of 6.1% and 6.6%, respectively. When adjusting for inflation, non-facility and facility laryngeal surgeries saw an average decrease of 17.8% (p < 0.001) and 28.5% (p < 0.001), respectively. Unadjusted reimbursement for facility laryngectomies saw an average increase of 40.2%, correlating to an inflation-adjusted decline of 8.9% (p < 0.001). Among laryngeal procedures overall, there was an average nominal increase of 17.0%, correlating to a 20.3% inflation-adjusted decline. CONCLUSION In terms of inflation-adjusted dollars, reimbursements for laryngeal procedures have seen a large decrease in the last two decades. Understanding reimbursement trends is critical for sustainability of otolaryngology practices, and can be used by surgeons, hospital systems, and policymakers to guide future healthcare legislation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul A Patel
- Frank H. Netter M.D. School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, North Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sina J Torabi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California, USA
| | - Said Izreig
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - R Peter Manes
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xu JR, Lorenz RR, Mulligan KM, Otteson TD, Maronian NC, Manes RP, Lerner MZ, Bryson PC. A Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Analysis of Reimbursement Trends in Laryngology from 2000 to 2021. Laryngoscope 2024; 134:247-256. [PMID: 37436137 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30874] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to characterize Medicare reimbursement trends for laryngology procedures over the last two decades. METHODS This analysis used CMS' Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Look-Up Tool to determine the reimbursement rate of 48 common laryngology procedures, which were divided into four groups based on their practice setting and clinical use: office-based, airway, voice disorders, and dysphagia. The PFS reports the physician service reimbursement for "facilities" and global reimbursement for "non-facilities". The annual reimbursement rate for each procedure was averaged across all localities and adjusted for inflation. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of each procedure's reimbursement was determined, and a weighted average of the CAGR for each group of procedures was calculated using each procedure's 2020 Medicare Part B utilization. RESULTS Reimbursement for laryngology procedure (CPT) codes has declined over the last two decades. In facilities, the weighted average CAGR for office-based procedures was -2.0%, for airway procedures was -2.2%, for voice disorders procedures was -1.4%, and for dysphagia procedures was -1.7%. In non-facilities, the weighted average CAGR for office-based procedures was -0.9%. The procedures in the other procedure groups did not have a corresponding non-facility reimbursement rate. CONCLUSION Like other otolaryngology subspecialties, inflation-adjusted reimbursements for common laryngology procedures have decreased substantially over the past two decades. Because of the large number of physician participants and patient enrollees in the Medicare programs, increased awareness and further research into the implications of these trends on patient care is necessary to ensure quality in the delivery of laryngology care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 134:247-256, 2024.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James R Xu
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Robert R Lorenz
- Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Todd D Otteson
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Nicole C Maronian
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - R Peter Manes
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael Z Lerner
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Paul C Bryson
- Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Torabi SJ, Abello EH, Haidar YM. In Response To: The RVU Compensation Model and Head and Neck Surgical Education. Laryngoscope 2024; 134:E1. [PMID: 37665105 DOI: 10.1002/lary.31008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sina J Torabi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Orange, California, U.S.A
| | - Eric H Abello
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Orange, California, U.S.A
| | - Yarah M Haidar
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Orange, California, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sampath AJ, Paci K, Carrasquillo OY, Maczuga S, Butt M, Merritt B, Helm M, Foulke GT. Retrospective analysis shows the cost of Mohs surgery decreases when adjusted for medical inflation. J Am Acad Dermatol 2023; 89:1001-1006. [PMID: 37422019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.06.041] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mohs surgery (MS) is the gold standard for treating nonmelanoma skin cancers in cosmetically sensitive areas. OBJECTIVE To investigate MS costs over time when adjusting for medical inflation while considering the perspective of patients, payers, and health care systems. METHODS A retrospective claim analysis using data from the International Business Machines MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database from 2007 through 2019 was performed. A query of the database for any instance of a MS-specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code in adults (17311, 17312, 17313, 17314, and 17315) was conducted. Aggregate data per claim regarding coinsurance, total cost, deductible, copay, and insurance payout were provided for each CPT code annually. RESULTS The total adjusted cost per claim decreased significantly (P < .001) for 4 of the 5 MS-specific CPT codes between 2007 and 2019: 17311 (-25%), 17312 (-15%), 17313 (-25%), and 17314 (-18%). The patient's adjusted out-of-pocket expense increased significantly (P < .0001) for 4 of the 5 MS-specific CPT codes: 17311 (33%), 17312 (45%), 17313 (34%), and 17314 (43%). CONCLUSION Among the 4 most used MS-specific CPT codes (17311, 17312, 17313, and 17314), the total cost per claim decreased and the patient's out-of-pocket expense increased from 2007 to 2019.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashwath J Sampath
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| | - Karina Paci
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Osward Y Carrasquillo
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Steven Maczuga
- Department of Dermatology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Melissa Butt
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Bradley Merritt
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Mathew Helm
- Department of Dermatology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Galen T Foulke
- Department of Dermatology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania; Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|