A cohort cost analysis of lumbar laminectomy - Current trends in surgeon and hospital fees distribution

Camilo A. Molina, Patricia L. Zadnik, Ziya L. Gokaslan, Timothy F. Witham, Ali Bydon, Jean Paul Wolinsky, Daniel M. Sciubba

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background context: Spine-related health-care expenditures accounted for $86 billion dollars in 2005, a 65% increase from 1997. However, when adjusting for inflation, surgeons have seen decreased reimbursement rates over the last decade. Purpose: To assess contribution of surgeon fees to overall procedure cost, we reviewed the charges and reimbursements for a noninstrumented lumbar laminectomy and compared the amounts reimbursed to the hospital and to the surgeon at a major academic institution. Study design/setting: Retrospective review of costs associated with lumbar laminectomies. Patient sample: Seventy-seven patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy for spinal stenosis throughout an 18-month period at a single academic medical center were included in this study. Outcome measures: Cost and number of laminectomy levels. Methods: The reimbursement schedule of six academic spine surgeons was collected over 18 months for performed noninstrumented lumbar laminectomy procedures. Bills and collections by the hospital and surgeon professional fees were comparatively analyzed and substratified by number of laminectomy levels and patient insurance status. Unpaired two-sample Student t test was used for analysis of significant differences. Results: During an 18-month period, patients underwent a lumbar laminectomy involving on average three levels and stayed in the hospital on average 3.5 days. Complications were uncommon (13%). Average professional fee billing for the surgeon was $6,889±$2,882, and collection was $1,848±$1,433 (28% overall, 30% for private insurance, and 23% for Medicare/Medicaid insurance). Average hospital billing for the inpatient hospital stay minus professional fees from the surgeon was $14,766±$7,729, and average collection on such bills was $13,391±$7,256 (92% overall, 91% for private insurance, and 85% for Medicare/Medicaid insurance). Conclusion: Based on this analysis, the proportion of overall costs allocated to professional fees for a noninstrumented lumbar laminectomy is small, whereas those allocated to hospital costs are far greater. These findings suggest that the current focus on decreasing physician reimbursement as the principal cost saving strategy will lead to minimal reimbursement for surgeons without a substantial drop in the overall cost of procedures performed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1434-1437
Number of pages4
JournalSpine Journal
Volume13
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013

Keywords

  • Health-care reform
  • Lumbar laminectomy
  • Spine surgery costs
  • Surgeon reimbursement

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A cohort cost analysis of lumbar laminectomy - Current trends in surgeon and hospital fees distribution'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this