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Lee KC, Yau V, Khoshnevisan MA, Eisig SB. Dental Rehabilitation of the Unilateral Cleft Dental Gap: A Single Institution Experience With Long-Term Follow-Up. J Craniofac Surg 2024; 35:199-202. [PMID: 37934972 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000009802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the management of the cleft dental gap after alveolar bone grafting. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with unilateral cleft lip and alveolus or palate who had successful alveolar bone grafting. Our primary study outcome was alveolar cleft management (orthodontic closure or space maintenance). Our secondary study outcome was the rate of fixed dental rehabilitation. Univariate comparisons were made with SAS 9.4. RESULTS The final study sample consisted of 54 patients. Most patients were treated with orthodontic closure (55.6%). Patients missing multiple teeth ( P < 0.01) were less likely to receive orthodontic closure. Orthodontic closure was not associated with differences in intermaxillary midline coincidence ( P = 0.22) or the need for LeFort advancement ( P = 0.15). Only 41.7% of patients who were managed with space maintenance obtained a fixed prosthesis. Hispanic ethnicity ( P < 0.01) and Medicaid insurance ( P < 0.01) were associated with lower rates of fixed dental rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS Orthodontic closure was the most common approach, and it did not result in significant maxillary midline distortion. Less than half of patients treated with space maintenance obtained fixed restorations. Socioeconomic barriers are likely preventing access to definitive dental rehabilitation in patients with unilateral cleft lip and alveolus or palate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Lee
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
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2
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Rochlin DH, Rizk NM, Flores RL, Matros E, Sheckter CC. The Reality of Commercial Payer-Negotiated Rates in Cleft Lip and Palate Repair. Plast Reconstr Surg 2023; 152:476e-487e. [PMID: 36847669 PMCID: PMC11240862 DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000010329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Commercial payer-negotiated rates for cleft lip and palate surgery have not been evaluated on a national scale. The aim of this study was to characterize commercial rates for cleft care, both in terms of nationwide variation and in relation to Medicaid rates. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis was performed of 2021 hospital pricing data from Turquoise Health, a data service platform that aggregates hospital price disclosures. The data were queried by CPT code to identify 20 cleft surgical services. Within- and across-hospital ratios were calculated per CPT code to quantify commercial rate variation. Generalized linear models were used to assess the relationship between median commercial rate and facility-level variables and between commercial and Medicaid rates. RESULTS There were 80,710 unique commercial rates from 792 hospitals. Within-hospital ratios for commercial rates ranged from 2.0 to 2.9 and across-hospital ratios ranged from 5.4 to 13.7. Median commercial rates per facility were higher than Medicaid rates for primary cleft lip and palate repair ($5492.20 versus $1739.00), secondary cleft lip and palate repair ($5429.10 versus $1917.00), and cleft rhinoplasty ($6001.00 versus $1917.00; P < 0.001). Lower commercial rates were associated with hospitals that were smaller ( P < 0.001), safety-net ( P < 0.001), and nonprofit ( P < 0.001). Medicaid rate was positively associated with commercial rate ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Commercial rates for cleft surgical care demonstrated marked variation within and across hospitals, and were lower for small, safety-net, or nonprofit hospitals. Lower Medicaid rates were not associated with higher commercial rates, suggesting that hospitals did not use cost-shifting to compensate for budget shortfalls resulting from poor Medicaid reimbursement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle H. Rochlin
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine
| | - Nada M. Rizk
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center
| | - Roberto L. Flores
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine
| | - Evan Matros
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
| | - Clifford C. Sheckter
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center
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Azizollahi R, Hubacek L, Oberoi S, Kearns C. Third-party Compliance With State-Mandated Orthodontic Coverage for Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Care in California: An Insurance Claim Thematic Analysis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2022; 60:780-783. [PMID: 35354333 PMCID: PMC10170562 DOI: 10.1177/10556656221074523] [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] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND California Senate Bill 630 (SB630) enacted statutorily mandated health plan coverage for orthodontic care of patients with cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies in 2009, which was effective from July 1, 2010. In this qualitative analysis, third-party compliance with SB630 in a university-based cleft and craniofacial orthodontic program is evaluated. METHODS Privately insured patients that experienced a coverage delay or denial of orthodontic treatment for cleft lip and palate in the University of California, San Francisco Cleft and Craniofacial Orthodontic Program between July 1, 2010 and October 28, 2020 were identified. A thematic analysis of reasons for delay or denial was conducted. RESULTS Nearly three quarters of patients experienced coverage delay and/or denials. The most common reason given was that services were not covered. CONCLUSIONS Despite state-mandated coverage, inappropriate denials of orthodontic care for patients with cleft lip and palate by private insurers persist in California.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Hubacek
- 224026University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Chonnapasatid W, Viwattanatipa N, Manopatanakul S, Jaruratanasirikul S. Thai Universal Health Care Coverage scheme promotes the accessibility to cleft lip/palate treatment: the result of cleft care provision assessment using modified Geographic Information System. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:416. [PMID: 35351111 PMCID: PMC8966314 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07784-y] [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: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study assessed the cleft lip/palate (CL/P) healthcare provision using data from the Thailand National Health Security Office from fiscal years 2012-2016. METHODS Four national databases of Thailand comprising 1) admitted patient visit, 2) non-admitted patient visit, 3) birth defects registry and 4) civil registration databases were analyzed. All duplicate records were removed by a matching process using national identity number and date of birth prior to data extraction. Modified Geographic Information System was also used to compare each provincial patients with CL/P of Thailand to the number of provincial live births with CL/P. RESULTS The results showed that the number of live births with CL/P during this period was 7,775 cases (1,555 cases/fiscal year). While the number of cases with CL/P registered under the Universal Health Care Coverage with hospital stay was 6,715 (86.37%), 927 cases (11.92%) visited hospitals without a stay, and the remaining 133 cases (1.71%) never visited any hospital. Modified Geographic Information System result showed that the provincial CL/P healthcare was relatively well-balanced with the provincial live births with CL/P (r = 0.92, p < 0.05). Moreover, provinces with CL/P tertiary care centers attracted more patients from the surrounding provinces. CONCLUSION This study showed that the percentage of patients with CL/P receiving hospital treatment was 98. The Thai Universal Health Care Coverage scheme has promoted the accessibility to CL/P treatment. In order to achieve the best possible comprehensive cleft care coverage, periodical assessment and improvement of the function and accuracy of the national database registry are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wannapong Chonnapasatid
- Samutprakan Provincial Public Health Office, Mueang Samutprakan District, 20 Phoem Toem 2 Alley, Samutprakan, 10270, Thailand
| | - Nita Viwattanatipa
- Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, 6 Yothi Street, Ratchthewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Somchai Manopatanakul
- Department of Advanced General Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, 6 Yothi Street, Ratchthewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Preston K, Chen L, Brennan T, Sheller B. Diagnostic Protocols for Alveolar Clefting and Barriers to Acquiring Imaging: A Survey of ACPA-Approved Cleft Teams in the United States. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2022; 60:671-678. [PMID: 35099307 DOI: 10.1177/10556656221075938] [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: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report current diagnostic protocols, practices, and barriers related to imaging of alveolar clefting among American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA)-approved cleft/craniofacial teams. METHODS An electronic survey was sent to 162 ACPA-approved teams in the United States. Key items were team location, venue of orthodontic treatment, imaging modality(s) and access, barriers to imaging, billing, imaging protocols including team members involved in decisions pre- and post-alveolar bone grafting (ABG), and craniofacial fellowship status of team orthodontist(s). RESULTS A total of 66 responses were received (40.7%). Responding teams were university-based (47%), hospital-based (42.4%), and independent clinics (10.6%). Orthodontic treatment for most patients was in private practice (53%). On-site 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) dental imaging capabilities were reported by 42% of teams; 29% have no on-site imaging. One or more barrier(s) to acquiring imaging were reported by 67%, with insurance challenges reported by 47%. Most teams bill medical payors for cleft-related dental imaging (58%). Pre- and post-ABG imaging was most frequently 3D (35% and 36%, respectively). Surgeons and orthodontists commonly evaluate ABG timing and outcome together (53%-65%). Periapical radiographs were included significantly more often in cleft imaging protocols by orthodontists with versus without fellowship training (P = .011, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS Barriers to acquiring imaging are frequent. 3D is the most common imaging pre- and post-ABG. Our study endorses multi-level advocacy for improved medical insurance coverage of diagnostic cleft-related dental imaging to decrease barriers to providing timely care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Preston
- Section of Orthodontics, 49038UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lucia Chen
- Department of Medicine Statistics Core, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Barbara Sheller
- 7274Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA.,114902Department of Orthodontics, University of Washington School of Dentistry, Seattle, WA, USA
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Constantin J, Wehby GL. Academic Outcomes of Children with Orofacial clefts: A Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Future Research. Oral Dis 2022; 28:1387-1399. [DOI: 10.1111/odi.14137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Constantin
- Department of Health Management and Policy University of Iowa Iowa City IA USA
| | - George L. Wehby
- Department of Health Management and Policy University of Iowa Iowa City IA USA
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Peck CJ, Parsaei Y, Lattanzi J, Gowda AU, Yang J, Lopez J, Steinbacher DM. The Geographic Availability of Certified Cleft Care in the United States: A National Geospatial Analysis of 1-Hour Access to Care. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2021; 79:1733-1742. [PMID: 33812798 DOI: 10.1016/j.joms.2021.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Children with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) require longitudinal multidisciplinary care. Travel distance to comprehensive cleft centers may be a barrier for some families. This study evaluated the geospatial availability of certified cleft teams across the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS A geographic catchment area within a 1-hour travel radius of each American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association-certified cleft center was mapped using TravelTime distance matrix programming. The proportion of children located within each catchment area was calculated using county-level data from the National Kids Count Data Center, with aggregate estimates of patients with CLP based on state-level data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One-hour access was compared across regions and based on urbanization data collected from the US Census. RESULTS There were 182 American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association-certified centers identified. As per study estimates, 28,331 (27.3%) children with CLP did not live within 1-hour travel distance to any center. One-hour access was highest in the Northeast (84.2% of children, P < .001) and lowest in the South (65.7%) and higher in states with the greatest urbanization in comparison with more rural states (85.1 vs 37.4%, P < .001). Similar patterns were seen for access to 2 or more cleft centers. The number of CLP children-per-center was highest in the West (775) and lowest in the Northeast (452). CONCLUSIONS Travel distances of more than 1 hour may affect more than 25,000 (1 of 4) CLP children in the US, with significant variation across geographic regions. Future studies should seek to understand the impact of and provide strategies for overcoming geographic barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor J Peck
- Medical Student, Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Yassmin Parsaei
- Medical Student, Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and Orthodontic Resident, Division of Orthodontics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT
| | - Jakob Lattanzi
- Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Arvind U Gowda
- Surgical Resident, Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Jenny Yang
- Surgical Resident, Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Joseph Lopez
- Craniofacial Fellow, Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Derek M Steinbacher
- Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Professor of Plastic Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
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Lyu W, Wanchek T, Wehby GL. The effects of state facial surgery mandates on timeliness of primary cleft repair surgery in the United States. Oral Dis 2021; 28:1620-1627. [PMID: 33586311 DOI: 10.1111/odi.13801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examines the effects of state facial surgery mandates on the timeliness of primary cleft repair surgery for privately insured children with oral clefts in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using IBM Health MarketScan® Database from 2001 to 2017, we estimate regression models separately for age at cleft lip repair and cleft palate repair by having a mandate while considering child-level factors and other state differences. The sample includes 1,451 children who had primary cleft lip repair by age 12 months, and 1,402 children who had primary cleft palate repair by age 18 months. RESULTS A mandate was associated with earlier cleft lip repair by 13 days (95% CI, -21.5 to -4.7 days) when controlling for state differences, regardless if the child had other birth defects. For children needing cleft palate repair, a mandate was associated with earlier surgery by 87 days (95% CI, -136.1 to -38.4 days) only when no other birth defects were present. CONCLUSIONS State facial surgery mandates were associated with earlier cleft lip repair for children with or without other birth defects, and earlier cleft palate repair for children without other birth defects (besides oral clefts). Findings suggest benefits to privately insured children with oral clefts from state mandates to cover needed services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lyu
- Division of Health Systems Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Tanya Wanchek
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - George L Wehby
- Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Economics, Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Public Policy Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
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