Quote:
Originally Posted by classicman
Trauma reimbursement is along the 80% of what the private insurers pay.
|
And among the most expensive care not covered because of lack of insurance and other issues. It is a huge issue in our state and the topic of much discussion as of late as we try to address the holes in care.
http://grady.healthstatgeorgia.org/f...aumaSystem.pdf
Quote:
Deteriorating Trauma Medical Staff Support
Maintaining medical staff participation in trauma
care is increasingly difficult in both community
and academic hospitals. There are many
contributing factors:
• Reductions in resident support
• Shortage of trauma surgical specialists
• Incompatibility with private practice
• Increasing burden of uninsured patients
• Undesirable lifestyle due to trauma call
• Demise of community ED call panels
• Specialty hospital trend
• Increasing physician sub-specialization
• Malpractice market turmoil
• EMTALA changes encourage dumping
• Physician payments penalize trauma
• Managed Care does not pay its share
Inadequate Trauma Center Financing
Trauma centers collectively experience a
$1 billion loss, and with increasing costs, this
problem will worsen over time. Key factors in this
crisis:
• A disproportionate and increasing share of
patients without the means to pay.
• Cost shifting to finance Trauma Center
operations is no longer working.
• Problematic relationships with Managed Care.
• Medicare does not cover high standby costs.
• Poor reimbursement rates under state
Medicaid programs.
• Auto insurance does not pay its share.
Trauma Centers Already Under Siege
The fundamental economic threats faced by
trauma centers need to be addressed to assure
they are available in the event of a terrorist
attack. These threats are continuing and will
result in a significant portion of the nation’s
trauma centers closing unless they receive
increased support.
Without corrective action, the current rate of
closures among the nation’s 600 regional trauma
centers will increase and 10-20% will close
within 3 years. Trauma centers provide an
essential public service that affects everyone.
They treat all patients within a common system
of care, so if a trauma center closes, it closes to
all.
|
http://www.traumacare.com/download/N...port_May04.pdf