Introduction: With the increasing utilization of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients who have a high comorbidity burden (HCB), coinciding with modifications to reimbursement models over the past decade, an evaluation of the financial impact of HCB on THA over time is warranted. This study aimed to investigate trends in revenue and cost associated with THA in HCB patients.
Methods: Out of 13,439 patients who had primary, elective THA between 2013 and 2021 at our institution, we retrospectively reviewed 978 patients considered to have HCB (Charlson comorbidity index [CCI] ≥ 5 and American Society of Anesthesiology [ASA] scores 3 or 4). We collected patient demographics, perioperative data, revenue, cost, and contribution margin (CM) of the inpatient episode. We analyzed changes as a percentage of 2013 values over time for these financial markers. Linear regression determined trend significance. The final analysis included 978 HCB patients who had complete financial data.
Results: Between 2013 and 2021, direct costs increased significantly (P = 0.002), along with a non-significant increase in total costs (P = 0.056). While revenue remained steady during the study period (P = 0.486), the CM decreased markedly to 38.0% of 2013 values, although not statistically significant (P = 0.222). Rates of 90-day complications and home discharge remained steady throughout the study period.
Conclusion: Increasing costs for HCB patients undergoing THA were not matched by an equivalent increase in revenue, leading to dwindling CMs throughout the past decade. Re-evaluation of reimbursement models for THA that account for patients' HCB may be necessary to preserve broad access to care.
Keywords: Financial trends; High comorbidity burden; Reimbursement models; Total hip arthroplasty.
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