Posts Tagged ‘DRG’
Capitated Consumable Contracts
Just a couple of years ago when I was doing research on the costs of implants, several forward-thinking providers discussed [...] Read More »
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy 19% increase
Since severely adjusted DRGs came into effect in 2007, the non-surgical treatment of BPH has been assigned to DRG 725 (benign prostatic hyperplasia W MCC) and DRG 726 (benign prostatic hyperplasia W/O MCC). Reimbursement for DRG 725 has increased over 30% in the last two years to $6,580 while DRG 726 has been stable. But, this dramatic increase does not represent a windfall for hospitals unless hospitals can focus on reducing the length of stay. Read More »
CMS Sends a Message on Stents
Reimbursement for drug-coated stents (DRG 246, 247) equals out to less than a 2% increase for 2010. In comparison, bare metal stents rose over 4% (DRG 249, 250). Considering the unadjusted consumer price index for hospitals and related service rose 7.5% in the last 12 months, maybe CMS is trying to tell us something. Read More »
Artificial Spinal Disc, Stable Reimbursement & Lower Cost
Although new technologies, such as nucleus repair devices, have helped extend the life of spinal discs, over 200,000 spinal surgeries are still performed each year. Artificial discs (CHARITÉ), first FDA approved in 2004, are an alternative to spinal fusion, and clinical trials have shown that there is no statistical difference between artificial discs and anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Studies revealed that the overall success rate was 57.8% for artificial discs versus 51.2% for anterior lumbar interbody fusion, and patient satisfaction was also similar at 78% versus 72%, respectively. However, data indicated that artificial disc patients recovered faster and returned to normal life sooner than fusion procedures. Read More »
A Good Year for Cath Lab Financial Incentives
What a difference a year makes in cath lab reimbursement! I was updating one of our cath lab calculators for projecting revenue and was surprised; the 2011 inpatient rates for both diagnostic and therapeutic cath lab reimbursement will increase between 3% and 5%. Although this doesnt seem too dramatic, it reverses the 2009 to 2010 .03% and .5% increases. Read More »
Good Outcomes and Good Business
Considering that we have seen the IBV implant offered for between $2,750 and $3,000, the additional $3,437.50 payment is good news. This add-on payment combined with the technologys ability to lower a patients length of stay while improving outcomes makes this technology excellent for both the patient and the hospital. Read More »