The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that in both the Medicare and privately insured populations, the proportion of procedures using anesthesia services increased from about 14 percent in 2003 to more than 30 percent in 2009. Regional variation was significant, with anesthesia services used least frequently in the West (around 13 percent) and most frequently in the Northeast (59 percent).
The expense of anesthesia services rose with the frequency of the procedure, the study found. The cost of a procedure increased by $150 if the patient received Medicare and by $500 if the patient was privately insured. Researchers estimated that the use of anesthesia services for these procedures amounted to $1.1 billion in 2009.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
90% of Surgery Centers Experiencing Drug Shortage At Least Weekly
Anesthesiology Plays a Role in Coordinating Management of Knee Replacement Patients, Contributing to Better Outcomes
Tennessee Anesthesiologist Dies in Florida Fishing Accident
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
