A Single-Institution's Experience With the CMS Noncervical Spine Fusion Bundle Payments
Abstract INTRODUCTION To reign in escalating healthcare costs, multiple cost-containment methodologies have been proposed. CMS has recently initiated bundle payments for certain DRGs during a 90 d global period. These include DRG codes 459 and 460: spinal fusion except cervical with and without major complications or comorbidity, respectively. METHODS The investigators reviewed patients who have been included in the CMS dataset for the aforementioned CMS trial. The data were utilized to analyze our performance in both quality and estimated cost metrics. Data not included in the CMS dataset were obtained via a retrospective chart review. RESULTS A total of 29 patients were included (25 with DRG 460 and 4 with DRG 459). Currently, there are no complete episodes, and final net episode payments are not known. Mean age was 68.9 (SD 9.7) yr. There were 17 males and 12 females. A total of 25 cases were elective and 4 were traumatic. Average length of stay (LOS) was 6 d (2-16 d) with a mean estimated cost of $30,631 (SD $6332). Six patients went to an inpatient rehab for a mean of 14 d (6-21 d) at a mean estimated cost of $28,089 (SD $7372). Two patients went to a skilled nursing facility for 8 and 23 d at a mean estimated cost of $21,906 (5091 and 38,721). Only 1 traumatic case went to rehab/SNF (25%) compared to 7 elective cases (32%). The estimated net episode payment (ENEP) for discharge to home was $36,726 versus that for discharge to facility of $73,100. CONCLUSION From these preliminary data, we conclude that being discharged to Rehab/SNF approximately doubled the ENEP. Of interest, being admitted as a trauma did not increase the risk of being discharged to Rehab/SNF. As patient data mature, we will be able to analyze the cost and expense relationship to obtain a variance to target in our population.