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GAO: Orthopedic Implant Admissions Up
A Government Accountability Office analysis says that Medicare inpatient orthopedic implantable medical device (IMD) admission rates were substantially higher in 2009 when compared with 2003. By contrast, cardiac IMD admission rate patterns were mixed, perhaps reflecting a shift of some cardiac procedures to an outpatient setting.
Jim Dickinson
June 25, 2012
1 Min Read
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The analysis also found that even with an increase in admissions of IMD Medicare beneficiaries in poorer health, overall lengths of stay for the IMD procedures generally did not increase. Also, poorer health status and reductions in length of stay for inpatient IMD beneficiaries were not accompanied by an increase in discharges to rehabilitation facilities.
Rather, the report says, the proportion of orthopedic IMD beneficiaries discharged to home health care increased substantially, while the proportion discharged to a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility dropped sharply.
Commenting on the study, AdvaMed executive vice president for payment and healthcare delivery policy Ann-Marie Lynch said that “it’s clear implantable medical devices improve patient health, save lives, and deliver tremendous value to the overall health system…. The report repeatedly finds advancements in medical technology allow patients to recover more quickly, often in home settings. Shortening recovery times is not just good for patients but can help to reduce overall healthcare costs.”
This report may be accessed at www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-583R.
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