A projected 5.2 percent decrease in reimbursement for cardiovascular surgery for the third quarter of FY 2008 as compared to the third quarter of FY 2007 has shifted more than $621 million to other medical services nationwide, according to the study. Orthopedic surgery, on the other hand, saw a 6.3 percent increase in reimbursement during this time period, resulting in a shift to this service of more than $579 million nationwide.
A few other notable shifts include urology (increasing 5.0 percent with a gain of $359 million in reimbursement) and vascular surgery (decreasing 5.1 percent with a drop of $122 million).
While these reimbursement shifts may not have a significant net effect on a hospital’s bottom line, organizations should consider how such shifts could affect other aspects of operations, including physician relationships and capital investments and planning.
View the preliminary study from the American Hospital Directory on 2008 hospital reimbursement (pdf).
Visit the American Hospital Directory.
