Decision for Carpal Tunnel Surgery: High-deductible Health Plans versus Traditional Health Plans

Delay in surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may result in long-term decreased functional outcomes. Few investigators have examined the relationship between type of health insurance plan and time to definitive treatment of CTS following diagnosis. We investigated the relationship between insurance type, treatment decision, and the time between diagnosis and surgery across groups.

This was a retrospective cohort study using the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database 2011-2020. We used χ² tests, linear regression, and logistic regression models to analyze demographic data and the time lag interval between CTS diagnosis and treatment.

Overall, 28% of high-deductible health plan (HDHP) patients underwent carpal tunnel release, compared with 20% of traditional insurance patients (P < 0.001). HDHPs are defined by the internal revenue service as a deductible of $1400 for an individual or $2800 for a family per year. The odds of undergoing surgery versus no treatment for HDHP patients were 47% higher than traditional patients (P < 0.001). Among the patients who underwent surgery, HDHP patients underwent surgery 65 days earlier on average following diagnosis compared with traditional patients (P < 0.001).

Patients with HDHPs who receive a diagnosis of CTS are more likely to undergo surgery, with a shorter time lag between diagnosis and surgery. The results from this study call attention to differences in surgical decision-making between patients enrolled in different insurance plans.