Hospital charges for adolescent scoliosis surgery up

(HealthDay)—Over the last decade, the number of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) fusion procedures has remained constant, although hospital charges for the procedure have increased substantially, according to a study published in the Sept. 15 issue of Spine.

Christopher T. Martin, M.D., from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, and colleagues used data from the National Inpatient Service to identify 29,594 AIS fusion cases (2001 to 2011). In addition, a single institution's billing system was used to identify average charges from 40 cases over four years.

The researchers found that utilization rates for AIS fusions have remained constant, while utilization of adult spinal fusions increased by 64 percent. From 2001 to 2011, mean hospital charges for AIS spinal fusions increased from $72,780 to $155,278 (113 percent increase), averaging 11.3 percent annually, with charges for adult spinal procedures increasing at a similar rate (13.4 percent annually). For other nonspine conditions, charges increased to a lesser degree (range of 4.5 to 6 percent annually). At the researchers' institution, spinal implant charges increased 27.6 percent annually, with implant charges as a portion of the total hospital bill increasing from 28 percent in 2003 to 53 percent in 2012. At the same time, surgeon charges decreased 0.5 percent annually, and all other charges increased only 5.2 percent annually.

"Spinal implants may be the primary driver of increased charges. Strategies directed toward implant cost savings may thus have the largest impact," conclude the authors.

Relevant financial activities outside the submitted work were disclosed: board membership, consultancy, grants, royalties.

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