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Total cost of initial admission for TKA significantly predicted total readmission cost
Total readmission cost after total knee arthroplasty among patients with Medicare or Medicaid or with private insurance was significantly predicted by total cost of initial admission, according to results.
Utilizing the Michigan State Inpatient Database of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, researchers identified 1,721 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in 2012. Of these patients, 1,358 patients were readmitted within 3 months of discharge. Researchers categorized patients into a Medicare-or-Medicaid group (n=949) or into a non-Medicare-nor-Medicaid group (n=409).
Results showed a mean readmission total cost of $9,335 and a median cost of $6,810. Length of stay, discharge disposition, number of chronic conditions and total cost of initial admission were significant predictors for all readmitted patients, according to results. However, researchers found only the total cost of initial admission remained significant in the non-Medicare-nor-Medicaid group, while all predictors remained significant in the Medicare-or-Medicaid group.
“Based on this finding, we recommend that health care providers improve value in health care by focusing improvement efforts on patients in the high-cost group,” the researchers wrote. “Such efforts may mitigate the readmission costs.” – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Chan reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.