Study on Trauma Patient Reimbursement at Brooke Army Medical Center

摘要

The purpose of this retrospective study is to provide financial analysis of the difference between regular trauma patients and Trauma Medcom patients treated at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). BAMC treats over 800 trauma patients annually; therefore, third party collections (termed Medical Savings Account for civilian emergencies) are significant in maintaining financial viability of this service. In July 1996, BAMC along with Wilford Hall and the University of Texas System, began a demonstration project called Trauma Medcom. As such, this program was designed to have an organized approach to treating trauma patients. The program allows 22 South Texas counties to use a 1- 800 number for a pre-authorized acceptance of trauma patients. BAMC received 58 Trauma Medcom patients during the demonstration year which equates to seven percent of all trauma patients treated. Excluding military beneficiaries, BAMC treated 47 Trauma Medcom patients equating to eight percent of all trauma patients treated. Trauma Medcom patients account for nearly eight hundred thousand dollars of billed charges which is 11 percent of all trauma charges. This analysis provides insight to the total amount charged and reimbursed from third party agencies for both Trauma Medcom and regular trauma patients treated at BAMC. Using ANOVA, this study found no difference in reimbursements for the two categories of trauma patients, the type of insurance (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.), or the county of injury.