Cios K, Janjua H, Rogers MP, Read M, Docimo S, Kuo PC. Determining the value proposition of surgical care in CMS star rated hospitals.
Am J Surg 2023;
225:541-544. [PMID:
36462958 DOI:
10.1016/j.amjsurg.2022.11.022]
[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: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
CMS Hospital Quality Star ratings reflect the quality of care given to patients. It is hypothesized that increased Star-rating is associated with higher cost and that the value proposition is diminished.
METHODS
This study used the Florida AHCA inpatient dataset, CY2019. Partial colectomy was selected as a representative inpatient surgical procedure. Analysis was performed on this data to compare high and low Star-rated hospitals.
RESULTS
Total costs were equivalent among all Star levels on initial analysis. In a propensity matched comparison with 1 Star, 5 Star hospitals had significantly lower length-of-stay and ICU, anesthesia, radiology and lab costs, and conversely, had higher total (+2%), operating room and med-surg supply costs.
CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that total colectomy costs are functionally equivalent among the CMS 1- and 5- Star categories. The results indicate that higher CMS Star ratings fulfill the value proposition and indeed offer higher quality without significantly increased cost.
Collapse