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Trends in Costs of Birth Hospitalization and Readmissions for Late Preterm Infants
Rebecca R Speer1, Eric W Schaefer2, Mahoussi Aholoukpe3
1Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Insights
Late preterm infants (LPIs) incur higher birth hospitalization and readmission costs than term infants (TIs). However, these costs for LPIs have declined since 2014, suggesting potential for cost reduction through standardized care.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Economics
- Neonatal Care
- Public Health
Background:
- Late preterm infants (LPIs) represent a significant proportion of births and face unique healthcare challenges.
- Understanding cost trends for LPIs is crucial for resource allocation and policy development.
- Previous research has not fully explored the economic impact of LPI birth hospitalizations and readmissions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate trends in birth hospitalization and readmission costs for LPIs compared to term infants (TIs) in the U.S. from 2005-2016.
- To analyze the factors influencing these cost differences and identify regional variations.
- To assess the impact of care practices on LPI healthcare expenditures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a large private insurance claims database (2005-2016).
- Comparison of healthcare costs between LPIs and TIs for birth hospitalization and readmissions.
- Utilized generalized linear regression models to analyze cost trends and significance.
Main Results:
- LPIs had significantly higher mean birth hospitalization costs ($25,700 vs. $3,300) and readmission costs ($25,800 vs. $14,300) compared to TIs.
- LPI readmission rates (4.2%) were double that of TIs (2.1%).
- Birth hospitalization costs for LPIs decreased after 2014, while TI costs steadily increased; the West region had higher LPI costs.
Conclusions:
- LPIs incur substantially higher healthcare costs related to birth hospitalization and readmissions than TIs.
- A downward trend in LPI costs since 2014 indicates potential for cost-saving interventions.
- Standardizing care for LPIs may improve outcomes and reduce overall healthcare expenditures.
Abstract:
Background: The objective is to study previously unexplored trends of birth hospitalization and readmission costs for late preterm infants (LPIs) in the United States between 2005 and 2016. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of claims data to study healthcare costs of birth hospitalization and readmissions for LPIs compared to term infants (TIs) using a large private insurance database. We used a generalized linear regression model to study birth hospitalization and readmission costs. Results: A total of 2,123,143 infants were examined (93.2% TIs; 6.8% LPIs). The proportion of LPIs requiring readmission was 4.2% compared to 2.1% of TIs, (p < 0.001). The readmission rate for TIs decreased during the study period. LPIs had a higher mean cost of birth hospitalization (25,700 vs. 3300 USD; p < 0.001) and readmissions (25,800 vs. 14,300 USD; p < 0.001). For LPIs, birth hospitalization costs increased from 2007 to 2013, and decreased since 2014. Conversely, birth hospitalization costs of TIs steadily increased since 2005. The West region showed higher birth hospitalization costs for LPIs. Conclusions: LPIs continue to have a higher cost of birth hospitalization and readmission compared to TIs, but these costs have decreased since 2014. Standardization of birth hospitalization care for LPIs may reduce costs and improve quality of care and outcomes.
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