Trends in Medicare Utilization and Reimbursement for Traumatic Brain Injury: 2003–2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health issue among Medicare beneficiaries, with many specialties reporting consistent annual decreases in utilization and reimbursement. This study investigates the trends in Medicare utilization and rates of reimbursement for neurosurgical proced...

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Main Authors: Sean Inzerillo, Salazar Jones
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Trauma Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-866X/4/4/24
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author Sean Inzerillo
Salazar Jones
author_facet Sean Inzerillo
Salazar Jones
author_sort Sean Inzerillo
collection DOAJ
description Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health issue among Medicare beneficiaries, with many specialties reporting consistent annual decreases in utilization and reimbursement. This study investigates the trends in Medicare utilization and rates of reimbursement for neurosurgical procedures related to TBI from 2003 to 2021, aiming to provide insights into the economic aspects of TBI care. Utilizing the Medicare Part B National Summary Data files, we analyzed 14 neurosurgical procedures over the 18-year period, assessing the changes in procedural volume and mean reimbursement per procedure, adjusted for inflation to the 2021 USD using the Consumer Price Index. From 2003 to 2021, TBI-related neurosurgical interventions showed a total percent change of −15.39% in procedural volume and −3.11% in inflation-adjusted mean reimbursement per procedure. Linear regression analyses indicated a significant downward trend in the overall procedural volume (<i>p</i> < 0.001) but no significant trend in the inflation-adjusted mean reimbursement rates (<i>p</i> = 0.585). Subgroup analyses did not reveal significant changes in the reimbursement rates for decompressive craniotomy/craniectomy, cranioplasty, intracranial pressure management, and traumatic fracture/penetration procedures. Our study indicates a significant decrease in neurosurgical TBI procedural volumes, while reimbursement rates remained stable when adjusted for inflation, highlighting the need for policy adjustments to ensure adequate resources for TBI care.
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spelling doaj-art-4ff39f4d177e4db89962dbece2cde9192024-12-27T14:57:05ZengMDPI AGTrauma Care2673-866X2024-10-014428229310.3390/traumacare4040024Trends in Medicare Utilization and Reimbursement for Traumatic Brain Injury: 2003–2021Sean Inzerillo0Salazar Jones1Medical School, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, New York, NY 11203, USANeurological Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY 10029, USATraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health issue among Medicare beneficiaries, with many specialties reporting consistent annual decreases in utilization and reimbursement. This study investigates the trends in Medicare utilization and rates of reimbursement for neurosurgical procedures related to TBI from 2003 to 2021, aiming to provide insights into the economic aspects of TBI care. Utilizing the Medicare Part B National Summary Data files, we analyzed 14 neurosurgical procedures over the 18-year period, assessing the changes in procedural volume and mean reimbursement per procedure, adjusted for inflation to the 2021 USD using the Consumer Price Index. From 2003 to 2021, TBI-related neurosurgical interventions showed a total percent change of −15.39% in procedural volume and −3.11% in inflation-adjusted mean reimbursement per procedure. Linear regression analyses indicated a significant downward trend in the overall procedural volume (<i>p</i> < 0.001) but no significant trend in the inflation-adjusted mean reimbursement rates (<i>p</i> = 0.585). Subgroup analyses did not reveal significant changes in the reimbursement rates for decompressive craniotomy/craniectomy, cranioplasty, intracranial pressure management, and traumatic fracture/penetration procedures. Our study indicates a significant decrease in neurosurgical TBI procedural volumes, while reimbursement rates remained stable when adjusted for inflation, highlighting the need for policy adjustments to ensure adequate resources for TBI care.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-866X/4/4/24Medicareneurosurgerytraumatrendsutilizationreimbursement
spellingShingle Sean Inzerillo
Salazar Jones
Trends in Medicare Utilization and Reimbursement for Traumatic Brain Injury: 2003–2021
Trauma Care
Medicare
neurosurgery
trauma
trends
utilization
reimbursement
title Trends in Medicare Utilization and Reimbursement for Traumatic Brain Injury: 2003–2021
title_full Trends in Medicare Utilization and Reimbursement for Traumatic Brain Injury: 2003–2021
title_fullStr Trends in Medicare Utilization and Reimbursement for Traumatic Brain Injury: 2003–2021
title_full_unstemmed Trends in Medicare Utilization and Reimbursement for Traumatic Brain Injury: 2003–2021
title_short Trends in Medicare Utilization and Reimbursement for Traumatic Brain Injury: 2003–2021
title_sort trends in medicare utilization and reimbursement for traumatic brain injury 2003 2021
topic Medicare
neurosurgery
trauma
trends
utilization
reimbursement
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-866X/4/4/24
work_keys_str_mv AT seaninzerillo trendsinmedicareutilizationandreimbursementfortraumaticbraininjury20032021
AT salazarjones trendsinmedicareutilizationandreimbursementfortraumaticbraininjury20032021