scholarly journals Association Between Medicare Star Ratings for Patient Experience and Medicare Spending per Beneficiary for US Hospitals

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Trzeciak ◽  
John P Gaughan ◽  
Joshua Bosire ◽  
Mark Angelo ◽  
Adam S Holzberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Experience ◽  
Hospital Patient ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Hospital Level ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Case Mix Index ◽  
Episode Of Care ◽  
Lower Health ◽  
Hospital Compare ◽  
Medicare Spending

Objective: To test the association between patient experience and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) spending at the hospital level. Methods: Using CMS Hospital Compare data set, we analyzed 2014 data for CMS patient experience star ratings and the hospital Medicare Spending per Beneficiary (MSPB) Measure, which assesses price-standardized, risk-adjusted payments for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries for an episode of care from 3 days before hospital admission to 30 days following discharge. We tested the association using linear regression, adjusting for complexity of care using hospital Case Mix Index (CMI) and for socioeconomic status of the hospital patient population using Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) status. Results: The MSPB decreased with increasing hospital patient experience ratings. After adjustment for CMI and DSH, better hospital patient experience was associated with lower spending per episode (5.6% decrease from the lowest to highest patient experience star rating). Conclusion: We found that better hospital patient experience was associated with lower health-care spending. Further research is needed to define what specific elements and phases of the episode of care are driving the association.

Abstract 2707: The Magnitude of Health Care Resource Utilization by Medicare Beneficiaries with Heart Failure

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L Page ◽  
Kara B Strongin ◽  
Roger M Mills ◽  
Christopher Hogan ◽  
JoAnn Lindenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Health Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hospital Inpatient ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Physician Visits ◽  
Hospital Outpatient ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Medicare Spending

Introduction: By 2010, the number of individuals ≥ 65 years with a heart failure (HF) diagnosis should increase by an additional 700,000. As the financial burden of HF is expected to substantially increase, we examined health care expenditures of Medicare beneficiaries with HF to estimate the current healthcare costs and resource allocation. Methods: An analysis of 2005 Medicare claims was conducted, using a 5% sample standard analytic and denominator file, limited data set version to extrapolate the 34,150,200 Medicare beneficiaries. The cohort was defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hierarchical Condition Categories Model which requires one HF diagnosis from a physician or hospital outpatient department/inpatient bill. HMO enrollees, persons without Part A and Part B coverage, and those outside the United States were excluded. Results: Based on inclusion criteria, 260,076 beneficiaries were identified. Beneficiaries with HF accounted for 13% of the total beneficiary population and 37% of all Medicare spending. Reimbursement for hospital inpatient admissions, physician visits, and hospital outpatient visits accounted for $12,556; $5,875; and $2,753 per-capita, respectively. In one year, 22% of all beneficiaries required hospitalization compared to 59% of beneficiaries with HF. Thirty-one percent of beneficiaries with HF had ≥ 2 inpatient admissions. Twenty-four percent of all hospital discharges were for HF, either as a principal diagnosis or co-morbidity, accounting for $30.4 billion. On average, 8.3 different outpatient and inpatient providers ordered services for a single beneficiary. Beneficiaries with at least two prior HF hospitalizations within the index period had on average 3.04 physician visits every three months. Only 26% of these visits were conducted by a cardiologist. Conclusion : Medicare beneficiaries with HF impose a tremendous burden on Medicare, consisting of over one-third of Medicare spending. It will be important to determine how much of this burden is due to HF and how much to comorbid conditions. Development of specialized Medicare HF Management Programs, also providing comprehensive care for co-morbidities, could curtail these admissions and potentially reduce costs.

Abstract 15: Trends in Performance and Outcomes of Carotid Endarterectomy Among Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries, 2003-2010

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith H Lichtman ◽  
Michael R Jones ◽  
Alice J Sheffet ◽  
George Howard ◽  
Yun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Endarterectomy ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Annual Number ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Hospital Level ◽  
Medicare Patients ◽  
Annual Reduction ◽  
Service Data

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the leading procedure for carotid stenosis, yet national data on trends in rates and outcomes are limited. We determined CEA rates among Medicare beneficiaries and evaluated mortality and readmission over 8 years. Methods: We used Medicare fee-for-service data to identify beneficiaries aged ≥65y who had their first CEA (ICD-9 38.12) from 2003-2010 and calculated annual rates per 100,000 person-years (PY). We fit mixed models to assess trends in patient-level outcomes, adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and symptomatic status. We also evaluated hospital-level trends by calculating risk-standardized mortality (RSMR) and readmission (RSRR) rates. A spatial mixed model adjusted for age, sex, and race was fit to calculate county-specific risk-standardized CEA rates in 2003-2004. Results: There were 505,966 unique CEA hospitalizations. The annual number of CEA discharges decreased from 81,604 in 2003 to 47,597 in 2010 (42% decrease), though the patient characteristics remained largely similar. The national CEA rate was 283 per 100,000 PY in 2003, and there was considerable geographic variability (Figure A). This rate decreased each year to a low of 172 per 100,000 PY in 2010. The rate of stroke or death within 30 days decreased from 3.2 to 2.7%, with a significant adjusted annual reduction of 3% (Figure B). Annual reductions in other short- and long-term outcomes were similar, ranging from 2-3%. The median hospital-level 30-day RSMR decreased over time from 0.99 to 0.57%, while the variation between hospitals increased (interquartile range of 0.7-1.67 percentage points). The 30-day RSRR decreased from 11.0 to 10.1%, but there was more homogeneity across hospitals and years. Conclusions: CEA use among Medicare patients decreased dramatically from 2003-2010, while mortality and readmission outcomes improved. The relative importance of biological and sociological mechanisms for these trends merits further study.

Abstract 5921: Medicare Beneficiaries with Mild to Severe Heart Failure See 15–23 Different Providers Annually

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L Page ◽  
Christopher Hogan ◽  
Kara Strongin ◽  
Roger Mills ◽  
JoAnn Lindenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Severe Heart Failure ◽  
The United States ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Hospital Inpatient ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Mild Disease

In fiscal year 2003, Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure (HF) accounted for 37% of all Medicare spending and nearly 50% of all hospital inpatient costs. On average, each beneficiary had 10.3 outpatient and 2 inpatient visits specifically for HF. Despite significant improvements in medical care for HF, mortality and hospital admissions remain high. No data exist regarding the number of providers ordering and providing care for this population. An analysis of fiscal year 2005 Medicare claims was conducted, using a 5% sample standard analytic and denominator file, limited data set version to extrapolate the 34,150,200 Medicare beneficiaries. Three cohorts were defined according to mild, moderate, severe HF employing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hierarchical Condition Categories Model and Chronic Care Improvement Program definitions. HMO enrollees, persons without Part A and Part B coverage, and those outside the United States were excluded. We identified physicians by using the unique physician identification number of performing physicians. Based on inclusion criteria, 173,863 beneficiaries were identified. The average number of providers providing care in all sites were 15.9, 18.6, 23.1 for beneficiaries with mild, moderate, and severe HF, respectively; and 10.1, 11.5, and 12.1 in the outpatient setting, respectively. The average number of providers ordering care in all sites consisted of 8.3, 9.6, and 11.2 for beneficiaries with mild, moderate, and severe HF, respectively; and 6.5,7.3, and 7.8 in the outpatient setting, respectively. For beneficiaries with mild disease, only 10% of all office visits were specifically for HF, while those with moderate or severe disease, only 20% were specifically for HF. Medicare beneficiaries with HF, even those with mild disease, have a large number of providers ordering and providing care. These data highlight the importance for developing systems and processes of coordinated care for this population.

scholarly journals Does a Reduction in Readmissions Result in Net Savings for Most Hospitals? An Examination of Medicare’s Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Yakusheva ◽  
Geoffrey J. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Hospital Readmissions ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Medicare Reimbursement ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Average Hospital ◽  
Reduction Program ◽  
Program Costs ◽  
Hospital Compare ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed (1) to estimate the impact of an incremental reduction in excess readmissions on a hospital’s Medicare reimbursement revenue, for hospitals subject to penalties under the Medicare’s Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program and (2) to evaluate the economic case for an investment in a readmission reduction program. For 2,465 hospitals with excess readmissions in the Fiscal Year 2016 Hospital Compare data set, we (1) used the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program statute to estimate hospital-specific Medicare reimbursement gains per an avoided readmission and (2) carried out a pro forma analysis of investment in a broad-scale readmission reduction program under conservative assumptions regarding program effectiveness and using program costs from earlier studies. For an average hospital, avoiding one excess readmission would result in reimbursement gains of $10,000 to $58,000 for Medicare discharges. The economic case for investments in a readmission reduction effort was strong overall, with the possible exception of hospitals with low excess readmissions.

Abstract T P274: Accreditation Status of Outpatient Cerebrovascular Testing Facilities Among Medicare Beneficiaries: The VALUE (Vascular Accreditation, Location & Utilization Evaluation) Study

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott C Brown ◽  
Kefeng Wang ◽  
Chuanhui Dong ◽  
Mary B Farrell ◽  
Gary V Heller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Total N ◽  
Testing Procedures ◽  
Outpatient Procedures ◽  
The Us

OBJECTIVE: Accreditation of cerebrovascular ultrasound laboratories by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) or equivalent bodies is supported by The Joint Commission certification of stroke centers. Limited information exists on the accreditation status and geographic distribution of these testing facilities in the US. The aims were to: (1) Identify the proportion of IAC accredited vascular testing facilities used by Medicare beneficiaries for outpatient cerebrovascular testing services; (2) Describe the geographical distribution of these facilities; and (3) Identify variation in the types and volumes of cerebrovascular testing procedures by accreditation status. METHODS: As a part of the VALUE (Vascular Accreditation, Location & Utilization Evaluation) Study, we examined the proportion of IAC accredited facilities that conducted cerebrovascular testing in a 5% CMS random Outpatient Limited Data Set (LDS) for the US in 2011 and investigated their geographical distribution using the Medicare Provider of Services (POS) file. RESULTS: Of the 7,864 total facilities billing Medicare for cerebrovascular testing procedures, only 22% (n=1,723) were IAC accredited. The percentage of facilities conducting cerebrovascular testing that were IAC accredited varied by region (Χ2[3]=400.4, p<0.0001), with 43%, 21%, 17% and 13% located in the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West, respectively. However, when examining the total number of cerebrovascular outpatient procedures conducted in 2011 (total n=38,646), 41% (15,729) were conducted in IAC accredited facilities. Moreover, when examining procedure type across all sites, 98% (38,011) of all cerebrovascular testing procedures conducted were carotid duplex, of which 41% (15,417) were conducted in IAC accredited facilities. In contrast, 1% (n=315) of all cerebrovascular procedures were transcranial (TCD), of which 56% (n=177) were conducted in IAC accredited facilities. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of IAC accredited facilities conducting outpatient cerebrovascular testing is low and varies by region. The growing number of certified stroke centers should be accompanied by more accredited vascular testing facilities that could potentially improve quality of stroke care.

Factors Impacting Physical Therapy Utilization for Patients With Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Retrospective Analysis of a Clinical Data Set

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (9) ◽  
pp. 1502-1515
Author(s):  
Janet Dolot ◽  
Matthew Hyland ◽  
Qiuhu Shi ◽  
Hae-Young Kim ◽  
Deborah Viola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Individual Patient Level ◽  
Episode Of Care ◽  
Out Of Pocket Payments ◽  
Provider Organization

Abstract Objective Factors predicting physical therapy utilization for lower back pain (LBP) remain unclear, limiting the development of value-based initiatives. The purpose of this study was to identify important factors that impact the number of physical therapist visits per episode of care for US adults with nonspecific LBP. Methods This study was a retrospective observational cohort study of a clinical dataset derived from 80 clinics of a single physical therapy provider organization. Research variables were categorized at the individual (patient) level and the organization (therapist, clinic) level. A hierarchical regression model was designed to identify factors influencing the number of physical therapist visits per episode of care. Results Higher out-of-pocket payments per visit, receipt of “active” physical therapy, longer average visit length, earlier use of physical therapy, and sex of the therapist (male) were found to predict fewer visits per episode of care. Percent change of function, prior receipt of physical therapy by the same provider organization, self-discharge from physical therapy, level of starting function, and therapist certification were found to predict more visits. Of the variance in number of visits, 8.0% was attributable to the health care organization. Conclusions Individual factors, such as higher out-of-pocket payment, have a significant impact on reducing visits per episode of care and should be considered when developing value-based initiatives to optimize clinical and utilization outcomes. Impact Payers use consumer-directed healthcare to reduce costs by discouraging utilization of low value services and encouraging use of low-cost providers. LBP is a costly condition for which physical therapy is a high-value treatment. This study shows that non-need factors predict the number of physical therapy visits per episode of care for patients with nonspecific LBP. Insurance benefit plans with lower out-of-pocket payments for physical therapy and higher reimbursement for active physical therapist interventions may facilitate appropriate utilization of high-value treatment for LBP.

scholarly journals Impact of Travel Time on Health Care Costs and Resource Use by Phase of Care for Older Patients With Cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (22) ◽  
pp. 1935-1945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle B. Rocque ◽  
Courtney P. Williams ◽  
Harold D. Miller ◽  
Andres Azuero ◽  
Stephanie B. Wheeler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Travel Time ◽  
Health Care Costs ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Patient Cost ◽  
Hospitalization Rates ◽  
Care Costs ◽  
Medicare Spending

PURPOSEMany community cancer clinics closed between 2008 and 2016, with additional closings potentially expected. Limited data exist on the impact of travel time on health care costs and resource use.METHODSThis retrospective cohort study (2012 to 2015) evaluated travel time to cancer care site for Medicare beneficiaries age 65 years or older in the southeastern United States. The primary outcome was Medicare spending by phase of care (ie, initial, survivorship, end of life). Secondary outcomes included patient cost responsibility and resource use measured by hospitalization rates, intensive care unit admissions, and chemotherapy-related hospitalization rates. Hierarchical linear models with patients clustered within cancer care site (CCS) were used to determine the effects of travel time on average monthly phase-specific Medicare spending and patient cost responsibility.RESULTSMedian travel time was 32 (interquartile range, 18-59) minutes for the 23,382 included Medicare beneficiaries, with 24% of patients traveling longer than 1 hour to their CCS. During the initial phase of care, Medicare spending was 14% higher and patient cost responsibility was 10% higher for patients traveling longer than 1 hour than those traveling 30 minutes or less. Hospitalization rates were 4% to 13% higher for patients traveling longer than 1 hour versus 30 minutes or less in the initial (61 v 54), survivorship (27 v 26), and end-of-life (310 v 286) phases of care (all P < .05). Most patients traveling longer than 1 hour were hospitalized at a local hospital rather than at their CCS, whereas the converse was true for patients traveling 30 minutes or less.CONCLUSIONAs health care locations close, patients living farther from treatment sites may experience more limited access to care, and health care spending could increase for patients and Medicare.

Association of Hospital Characteristics With Early SEP-1 Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Liao ◽  
Emily Aaronson ◽  
Jungyeon Kim ◽  
Xiu Liu ◽  
Colleen Snydeman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Mix ◽  
Linear Modeling ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Case Mix Index ◽  
Teaching Status ◽  
Acute Hospitals ◽  
Patient Complexity ◽  
Hospital Compare ◽  
Teaching Intensity ◽  
Hospital Characteristics

A variety of hospital characteristics, including teaching status, ownership, location, and size, have been shown to be associated with quality measure performance. The association of hospital characteristics, including teaching intensity, with performance on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) SEP-1 sepsis measure has not been well studied. Utilizing a statewide, all-payer database and the CMS Hospital Compare database, this study investigated the association of various hospital characteristics with early SEP-1 performance in 48 acute hospitals in Massachusetts. Hospital teaching intensity and Magnet designation did not have a statistically significant association with SEP-1 performance in multivariable linear modeling. However, SEP-1 performance was higher in smaller, for-profit hospitals with higher case mix index. This finding suggests that emergency department activity, hospital ownership, and patient complexity should be studied further across a larger geographic spectrum and longitudinally as hospitals implement efforts to reduce morbidity associated with sepsis.

scholarly journals COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF HEARING CARE SERVICES AMONG MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES WITH HEARING AIDS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S43-S44
Author(s):  
Amber Willink ◽  
Amber Willink ◽  
Nicholas S Reed ◽  
Frank R Lin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Skilled Nursing Facility ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Medicare Program ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Medicare Spending

Abstract Hearing care services for older adults with hearing aids are underutilized and are not covered by the Medicare program. Little information exists to the value of hearing care services for older adults with hearing aids. Using the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the impact of hearing care services use on Medicare spending among those with hearing aids. Older Medicare beneficiaries with hearing aids that received hearing care services in the previous 12 months were propensity score matched to those who did not receive services. Average annual Medicare spending was $8196 (CI:$6670-$9723) among Medicare beneficiaries who used hearing care services and $10,709 (CI:$8878-12541) among matched controls. Spending differences were driven by higher skilled nursing facility and home health spending among matched controls. Increasing access to hearing care services among Medicare beneficiaries with hearing aids may provide value to the health care system and Medicare program.

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