Compensation claims following anterior cruciate ligament injuries reported to the patient insurance company in Sweden in 2005-2014.

Background and purpose - Patients in the Swedish healthcare system are insured against avoidable adverse events via Landstingens Ömsesidiga Försäkringsbolag (LÖF). We assessed the reasons for compensation claims reported to LÖF following an ACL injury. Patients and methods - We searched the LÖF database for compensation claims related to ACL injuries reported in 2005-2014, and cross-matched claims with the Swedish National Knee Ligament Register. We then performed a review of the medical records. Results - We identified 530 eligible claims in 2005-2014. 352 (66%) claims were accepted by LÖF and 178 claims were rejected. Accepted claims corresponded to fewer than 1% of ACL surgeries performed in the same period. The most common reasons for an accepted claim were postoperative septic arthritis followed by suboptimal surgery and delay in diagnosis and treatment. Interpretation - There are different reasons for accepting a compensation claim following an ACL injury, which represents different treatment errors that can be avoided.

Change in Colorectal Cancer Tests Submitted for Reimbursement in Switzerland 2012-2018: Evidence from Claims Data of a Large Insurance.

Objectives: Guidelines recommend colorectal cancer (CRC) screening by fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or colonoscopy. In 2013, Switzerland introduced reimbursement of CRC screening by mandatory health insurance for 50-69-years-olds, after they met their deductible. We hypothesized that the 2013 reimbursement policy increased testing rate. Methods: In claims data from a Swiss insurance, we determined yearly CRC testing rate among 50-75-year-olds (2012-2018) and the association with socio-demographic, insurance-, and health-related covariates with multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models. We tested for interaction of age (50-69/70-75) on testing rate over time. Results: Among insurees (2012:355'683; 2018:348'526), yearly CRC testing rate increased from 2012 to 2018 (overall: 8.1-9.9%; colonoscopy: 5.0-7.6%; FOBT: 3.1-2.3%). Odds ratio (OR) were higher for 70-75-year-olds (2012: 1.16, 95%CI 1.13-1.20; 2018: 1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.08). Deductible interacted with changes in testing rate over time (p < 0.001). The increase in testing rate was proportionally higher among 50-69-years-olds than 70-75-year-olds over the years. Conclusions: CRC testing rate in Switzerland increased from 2012 to 2018, particularly among 50-69-years-olds, the target population of the 2013 law. Future studies should explore the effect of encouraging FOBT or waiving deductible.

Review of the Accident Compensation Corporation's radiation therapy injury claims, 1 July 2009-30 June 2019.

AIM: The aim of this study was to review and report on radiation therapy injury claims lodged with the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand in the last decade. METHODS: ACC's treatment injury database was used to identify injury claims decided between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2019. The associated structured and unstructured data, including claim lodgement information and medical records, were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 121,168 treatment injuries, only 975 (0.8%) were radiation therapy injury claims, with 519 claims accepted for cover. Most declined claims were considered "ordinary consequences of treatment" rather than treatment injuries. Of the 519 accepted claims, ACC classified 21 as fatal and eight as serious, which indicates a need for lifelong ACC support. Injuries correlated with the age and gender of the most common cancers treated with radiation therapy in New Zealand. More treatment injury claims were submitted and accepted for New Zealand European patients compared with Maori and Pasifika patients. CONCLUSION: Radiation therapy injury claims make up a very small proportion of the total number of ACC treatment injury claims. A better understanding of the claim process may assist injured individuals better by improving appropriate claim lodgement and claim acceptance rates.

Real-world data and treatment patterns of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia in Germany: an observational study using health insurance claims data.

PURPOSE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), representing one of the most common urological conditions. However, insights into the actual healthcare of this patient cohort in Germany are scarce. We aimed to retrospectively analyse management patterns of patients with LUTS in Germany using health insurance claims databases. METHODS: A retrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis was conducted obtaining claims data from the German InGef health insurance database containing approximately five million member-records from over 60 nationwide statutory health insurances. First, a cross-sectional prevalence analysis was performed on all individuals with a diagnosis on LUTS (ICD-10 GM N40) in 2018. Second, a longitudinal analysis of individuals with either a newly started BPH medication or initial BPH surgery who were indexed in 2014 and followed-up for 4 years. RESULTS: In 2018, 132,386 (6.7%) prevalent BPH patients were identified from 1,979,916 continuously insured males. A potential overcoding bias could not be assessed which may influence the outpatient sector estimation. 10,361 (0.7%) patients were identified with incident BPH medication and 1768 (0.1%) patients with incident BPH surgery out of 1,575,604 males (2013-2018). Alpha-blockers were the drug of choice (95.6%) in the first year. Half of patients received specific BPH medications four years after index, while almost 98% of initial BPH surgeries were performed within the inpatient setting. TURP was the most frequent surgical intervention (76%). CONCLUSIONS: A widespread diffusion of alternative individualized minimally invasive approaches in the outpatient sector might address pharmacotherapy discontinuation and patient-access barriers to other treatments.

The incidence of prostate cancer is increased in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: Results from the national insurance claim data 2007-2014.

ABSTRACT: Some studies have demonstrated an increased risk of prostate cancer in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the relationship is unclear and the results are conflicting. This study aims to investigate associations between OSA and prostate cancer using the Korea National Health Insurance Service database.A total of 152,801 men (≥ 20 years of age) newly diagnosed with OSA between 2007 and 2014 were included. A control group of 764,005 subjects was selected using propensity score matching by age and sex. The mean follow-up time was 4.6 years (range 2.3-6.9). The primary endpoint was newly diagnosed prostate cancer. The prostate cancer hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) was calculated for patients with OSA and compared to the control group.The incidence of prostate cancer among patients with OSA was significantly higher than that in controls (1.34 [1.23-1.49]). In particular, the incidence of prostate cancer was highest in patients aged 40-65 years (1.51 [1.32-1.72]).This study provides additional evidence for a link between OSA and prostate cancer.

Estimated Frequency of Psychodermatologic Conditions in Alberta, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Psychodermatologic disorders are difficult to identify and treat. Knowledge about the prevalence of these conditions in dermatological practice in Canada is scarce. This hampers our ability to address potential gaps and establish optimal care pathways. OBJECTIVES: To provide an estimate of the frequencies of psychodermatologic conditions in dermatological practice in Alberta, Canada. METHODS: Two administrative provincial databases were used to estimate the prevalence of potential psychodermatological conditions in Alberta from 2014 to 2018. Province-wide dermatology claims data were examined to extract relevant International Classification of Disease codes as available. Claims were linked with pharmacy dispensation data to identify patients who received at least 1 psychoactive medication within 90 days of the dermatology claim. RESULTS: Of 243 963 patients identified, 28.6% had received at least 1 psychotropic medication (mean age: 47.9 years; 67.5% female). Rates of concurrent psychotropic medications were highest for pruritus and related conditions (46.7%), followed by urticaria (44.5%) and hyperhidrosis (32.8%). Among patients with psychotropic medications, rates of antidepressants were highest (56.3%), followed by anxiolytics (37.1%). Across billing codes, besides hyperhidrosis (71.2%), diseases of hair (61.4%) and psoriasis (59.1%) had the highest rates of antidepressant dispensations. Patients with atopic dermatitis had the highest rates for anxiolytic prescriptions (54.3%). CONCLUSION: In a 5-year window, more than a quarter of the identified dermatology patients in Alberta received at least 1 psychotropic medication, pointing to high rates of potential psychodermatologic conditions and/or concurrent mental health issues in dermatology. Diagnostic and care pathways should include a multidisciplinary approach to better identify and treat these conditions.

Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in Japanese Patients with Cancer: A Matched Cohort Study Using Employer-Based Health Insurance Claims Data.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with cancer are at high risk of major depressive disorder (MDD), but little is known about their MDD treatment. We investigated the use of antidepressants and other drugs for MDD after cancer diagnosis, and patient characteristics associated with their use. METHODS: Adults with a new cancer diagnosis were matched to cancer-free patients using a Japanese employee health insurance database (JMDC); this exploratory analysis included only cohort patients diagnosed with MDD between 6 months before and 12 months after the cancer diagnosis index month. Initial prescription frequencies of antidepressants and other MDD medications were compared between cancer and cancer-free groups and analyzed according to age, sex, and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: Compared with the cancer-free group (n = 4097), significantly fewer patients in the cancer group (n = 1199) were prescribed antidepressants {622 (51.9%) [95% CI 49.0-54.7] vs 2385 (58.2%) [95% CI 56.7-59.7]}, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In contrast, prescription of other medications, especially antipsychotics and anxiolytics (tandospirone, hydroxyzine), was more frequent in the cancer group than in the cancer-free group. In the cancer group, women were prescribed antidepressants (mostly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and other medications (mostly benzodiazepines) more than men. Antidepressant prescription decreased with age; patients aged < 40 years had the highest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and the lowest conventional antidepressant prescription rate compared with patients aged 40-64 years and ≥ 65 years. Lower selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and benzodiazepine prescription rates were seen in large (≥ 100 beds) hospitals and in hospitals where patients received their cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest Japanese patients with cancer may be undertreated for MDD compared with cancer-free patients. However, when prescribed, medications may be chosen according to patient needs, including avoiding adverse effects and drug-drug interactions.

Economic burden of alcohol-related cancers in the Republic of Korea.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a major burden of disease and alcohol consumption is one of the major risk factors of cancer. This study aimed to estimate the economic burden of cancer types attributable to alcohol consumption in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: This study estimates the direct and indirect costs of cancer types attributable to alcohol consumption by applying cost-of-illness methods using the human capital approach and prevalence-based estimates. Claims data from the National Health Insurance Service for 2011-2016 were used. RESULTS: In Korea, there were 297,304 alcohol consumption-related cancer cases, of which 14,186 (4.8 %) were attributable to alcohol consumption in 2016. From 2011-2016, the socioeconomic burden of cancer attributable to alcohol consumption in Korea has increased steadily, even considering inflation adjustment. The total economic burden of cancer attributable to alcohol consumption in 2016 in Korea was approximately $476 million, of which $119 million were direct costs and $357 million were indirect costs. According to our analysis of annual cost per patient, the average costs were $37,432 for men and $11,930 for women. CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of cancer types attributable to alcohol consumption in Korea is substantial and has increased between 2011 and 2016, mainly due to an increased number of patients.

Predictors of Insurance Claim Rejection in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Insurance claim rejections represent a challenge for healthcare providers because of the potential for lost revenue and administrative costs of reworking claims. METHODS: The billing records of five hand and upper extremity surgeons at a tertiary academic center were queried for all patient billing activity over a 1-year period yielding a total of 14,421 unique patient encounters. RESULTS: A total of 11,839 unique patient encounters were included, and the overall claim rejection rate was 19.3%. Claim rejection rate varied significantly by payer (P < 0.0001) and was lowest in private insurance (14.0%) and highest in Medicare (31.2%). The use of multiple Current Procedure Terminology codes for an encounter was independently associated with an increased risk of claim rejection for both office (25.6%, relative risk [RR] 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03 to 1.49, P = 0.0032) and surgical (25.6%, RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.18, P = 0.0002) settings. After multivariate regression adjustment, modifier 25 was associated with a decreased risk of claim rejection (23.3%, RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.85, P < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: Insurance claim rejection occurs frequently (19.3%) in hand/upper extremity surgery and varies by insurance type, with the highest rejection rate occurring in Medicare (31.2%). For a given encounter, the use of multiple Current Procedure Terminology codes and specific modifiers are predictive of rejection risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic.

Nationwide claims database analysis of treatment patterns, costs and survival of Japanese patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Limited data are available regarding treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), treatment costs and clinical outcomes for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in Japan. This retrospective database study analyzed the Medical Data Vision database for DLBCL patients who received treatment during the identification period from October 1 2008 to December 31 2017. Among 6,965 eligible DLBCL patients, 5,541 patients (79.6%) received first-line (1L) rituximab (R)-based therapy, and then were gradually switched to chemotherapy without R in subsequent lines of therapy. In each treatment regimen, 1L treatment cost was the highest among all lines of therapy. The major cost drivers i.e. total direct medical costs until death or censoring across all regimens and lines of therapy were from the 1L regimen and inpatient costs. During the follow-up period, DLBCL patients who received a 1L R-CHOP regimen achieved the highest survival rate and longest time-to-next-treatment, with a relatively low mean treatment cost due to lower inpatient healthcare resource utilization and fewer lines of therapy compared to other 1L regimens. Our retrospective analysis of clinical practices in Japanese DLBCL patients demonstrated that 1L treatment and inpatient costs were major cost contributors and that the use of 1L R-CHOP was associated with better clinical outcomes at a relatively low mean treatment cost.

Treatment sequence of first and second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor followed by osimertinib in EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer: a real life study.

Background: We aimed to assess the effectiveness and cost of patients with first line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) sequence of first (1G) and second generation (2G) followed by osimertinib. Materials & methods: Using the French nationwide claims and hospitalization database, we analyzed non-small-cell lung cancer patients who had been treated with osimertinib between April 2015 and December 2017, after a first line treatment with a TKI-1G/2G. Results: The median time on treatment for sequential TKI-1G/2G followed by osimertinib was 34 months (95% CI: 31-46); 13 and 12months, respectively for TKI 1G or 2G and TKI 3G, respectively. The median overall survival for sequential TKI 1G or 2G followed by osimertinib was 37 months (95% CI: 34-42). The mean monthly costs per patient was €5162. Conclusion: These results, in line with those observed during clinical trials, confirm the effectiveness of the sequence TKI-1G/2G followed by osimertinib in EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer.

Increased risk of severe maternal morbidity among infertile women: analysis of US claims data.

BACKGROUND: Severe maternal morbidity continues to be an issue of national and global concern and is increasing in incidence. The incidence of infertility is also on the rise, and infertile women experience a higher risk of incident chronic medical disease and cancer, suggesting that fertility may serve as a window to a woman's overall health. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of severe maternal morbidity by maternal fertility status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort analysis using Optum's de-identifed Clinformatics Data Mart Database between 2003 and 2015. Infertile women stratified by infertility diagnosis, testing, or treatment were compared to fertile women seeking routine gynecologic care. In both groups, only women who underwent pregnancy and delivery of a singleton during the follow-up period were included. Main outcomes were severe maternal morbidity indicators, defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and identified by International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision and Common Procedural Technology codes within 6 weeks of each delivery. Results were adjusted for maternal age, race, education, nulliparity, smoking, obesity, delivery mode, preterm birth, number of prenatal visits, and year of delivery. RESULTS: A total of 19,658 women comprised the infertile group and 525,695 women comprised the fertile group. The overall incidence of any severe maternal morbidity indicator was 7.0% among women receiving fertility treatment, 6.4% among women receiving a fertility diagnosis, 5.5% among women receiving fertility testing, and 4.3% among fertile women. Overall, infertile women had a significantly higher risk of developing any severe maternal morbidity indicator (adjusted odds ratio, 1.22; confidence interval, 1.14-1.31, P < .01) as well as a significantly higher risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation (adjusted odds ratio, 1.48; confidence interval, 1.26-1.73, P < .01), eclampsia (adjusted odds ratio, 1.37; confidence interval, 1.05-1.79, P < .01), heart failure during procedure or surgery (adjusted odds ratio, 1.54; confidence interval, 1.21-1.97, P < .01), internal injuries of the thorax, abdomen, or pelvis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.59; confidence interval, 1.12-2.26, P < .01), intracranial injuries (adjusted odds ratio, 1.77; confidence interval, 1.20-2.61, P < .01), pulmonary edema (adjusted odds ratio, 2.18; confidence interval, 1.54-3.10, P < .01), thrombotic embolism (adjusted odds ratio, 1.58; confidence interval, 1.14-2.17, P < .01), and blood transfusion (adjusted odds ratio, 1.50; confidence interval, 1.30-1.72, P < .01) compared to fertile women. Fertile women did not face a significantly higher risk of any maternal morbidity indicator compared to infertile women. In subgroup analysis by maternal race/ethnicity, the likelihood of severe morbidity was significantly higher among fertile black women compared to fertile white women. There was no difference between infertile black women and infertile white women after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSION: Using an insurance claims database, we report that women diagnosed with infertility and women receiving fertility treatment experience a significantly higher risk of multiple indicators of severe maternal morbidity compared to fertile women. The increased risk of severe maternal morbidity noted among fertile black women compared to fertile white women is attenuated among infertile black women, who face risks similar to those of infertile white women.

[Effect of ambulatory geriatric rehabilitation on polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication-an observational study]. / Effekt der ambulanten geriatrischen Komplexbehandlung auf Polypharmazie und potenziell inadäquate Arzneimittel ­ eine Beobachtungsstudie.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory geriatric rehabilitation (AGR) is a prevention program for multimorbid patients with the contractual agreement to prevent the need for care and hospital admissions and to promote self-sufficiency. It provides an opportunity to reduce the prevalence of polypharmacy and to discontinue potentially inadequate medication (PIM). AIM: The study investigated the effect of AGR on the number of drugs and PIM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The observational longitudinal study was based on claims data from the statutory health insurance AOK Nordost. A comparison of the prescribed drugs with the PRISCUS list was performed. The study investigated the effect of AGR on the number of drugs prescribed and PIM in the period of two quarterly periods before and two quarterly periods after AGR. The numbers of prescribed statins, opioids, antidementia drugs, proton pump inhibitors and antidepressants were assessed and grouped into further prescriptions, new prescriptions and discontinued drug prescriptions. RESULTS: Out of 699 participants 682 (73% women, mean age 79 years, SD ± 5 years) were analyzed. The number of substances and PIM remained at the same levels after AGR. Psycholeptic, antiphlogistic and psychoanaleptic drugs were the most frequently prescribed PIM. The majority of statins, opioids, antidementia drugs, proton pump inhibitors and antidepressants were prescribed further. Antidementia drugs were the medication with the most newly started prescriptions. CONCLUSION: The AGR has no influence on the number of prescribed drugs and PIM. A structured drug review and a conversation with the general practitioner should be strengthened to improve drug safety and reduce polypharmacy as well as undertreatment.

Predictors of Reduced Opioid Use With Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients With Chronic Opioid Use.

OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has gained traction as an alternative to chronic opioid therapy in light of the opioid crisis. Prior reports vary widely in their estimates of its effect on opioid consumption. We therefore aimed to address the following questions: 1) Does chronic opioid use change after SCS? 2) Which patient characteristics predict reduced opioid consumption after SCS? MATERIALS AND METHODS: Claims from a private health insurance company were used to identify patients with SCS implantation from 2003 to 2014. We required 12 months of continuous data before and after surgery (i.e., a minimum total observation period of two years), and at least two opioid prescription fills in the six months before surgery. Daily morphine equivalent dose (MED) was calculated from prescription medication claims. Diagnosis codes identified common comorbidities. RESULTS: Hundred forty-five patients met inclusion criteria. MED of 65 was the most statistically meaningful preoperative dose threshold. Approximately half of patients decreased opioid use >20% after SCS implantation. Logistic regression analysis revealed age (p = 0.0362), gender (p = 0.0076), and preoperative daily MED < 65 (p = 0.0322) as predictors of meaningful reduction, which was defined as a 20% reduction in MED. CONCLUSIONS: With only half of chronic opioid users demonstrating meaningful opioid reduction after SCS implantation, we demonstrate that current SCS technology does not reliably help a larger number of patients reduce opioid usage. Women, older age, and preoperative MED < 65 are predictive of meaningful opioid reduction but only one of these is modifiable. As not all patients saw benefit from their therapies, there is still much room for improvement in the treatment of refractory chronic pain that is associated with failed back surgery syndrome and chronic regional pain syndrome.

Economic impact of disease prevention in a morbidity-based financing system: does prevention pay off for a statutory health insurance fund in Germany?

Preventable chronic diseases account for the greatest burden in the German health system and statutory health insurance (SHI) funds play a crucial role in implementing and financing prevention strategies. On the contrary, the morbidity-based scheme to distribute financial resources from the Central Reallocation Pool among the different sickness funds may counteract efforts of effective prevention from an economic perspective. We assessed financial impacts of prevention from a sickness funds perspective in a retrospective controlled study. Claims data of 6,247,275 persons were analyzed and outcomes between two propensity-matched groups (n = 852,048) of prevention users and non-users were compared in a 4-year follow-up. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we analyzed healthcare expenditures, the development of morbidity, financial transfers from the Central Reallocation Pool, and contribution margins. The group of prevention users develops less morbidity (incidences and disease aggravations) compared to the control group. Healthcare expenditures increase in both groups within 4 years, whereas the increase is lower for prevention users compared to non-users (€568.04 vs. €640.60, p < 0.0001). Taking morbidity-based financial transfers into account, the decrease in contribution margins is stronger for prevention users (- €188.44 vs. - €138.73, p < 0.0001). This study demonstrates an economic disincentive from a sickness funds' perspective. In the semi-competitive SHI market, sickness funds will be discouraged from effective prevention strategies if investments are not worth it financially. Their efforts and knowledge are, however, crucial for joint action to foster prevention over cure in the health system.

What Are the Costs of Cervical Radiculopathy Prior to Surgical Treatment?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study. OBJECTIVE: To examine the costs associated with nonoperative management (diagnosis and treatment) of cervical radiculopathy in the year prior to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: While the costs of operative treatment have been previously described, less is known about nonoperative management costs of cervical radiculopathy leading up to surgery. METHODS: The Humana claims dataset (2007-2015) was queried to identify adult patients with cervical radiculopathy that underwent ACDF. Outcome endpoint was assessment of cumulative and per-capita costs for nonoperative diagnostic (x-rays, computed tomographic [CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], electromyogram/nerve conduction studies [EMG/NCS]) and treatment modalities (injections, physical therapy [PT], braces, medications, chiropractic services) in the year preceding surgical intervention. RESULTS: Overall 12,514 patients (52% female) with cervical radiculopathy underwent ACDF. Cumulative costs and per-capita costs for nonoperative management, during the year prior to ACDF was $14.3 million and $1143, respectively. All patients underwent at least one diagnostic test (MRI: 86.7%; x-ray: 57.5%; CT: 35.2%) while 73.3% patients received a nonoperative treatment. Diagnostic testing comprised of over 62% of total nonoperative costs ($8.9 million) with MRI constituting the highest total relative spend ($5.3 million; per-capita: $489) followed by CT ($2.6 million; per-capita: $606), x-rays ($0.54 million; per-capita: $76), and EMG/NCS ($0.39 million; per-capita: $467). Conservative treatments comprised of 37.7% of the total nonoperative costs ($5.4 million) with injections costs constituting the highest relative spend ($3.01 million; per-capita: $988) followed by PT ($1.13 million; per-capita: $510) and medications (narcotics: $0.51 million, per-capita $101; gabapentin: $0.21 million, per-capita $93; NSAIDs: 0.107 million, per-capita $47), bracing ($0.25 million; per-capita: $193), and chiropractic services ($0.137 million; per-capita: $193). CONCLUSION: The study quantifies the cumulative and per-capital costs incurred 1-year prior to ACDF in patients with cervical radiculopathy for nonoperative diagnostic and treatment modalities. Approximately two-thirds of the costs associated with cervical radiculopathy are from diagnostic modalities. As institutions begin entering into bundled payments for cervical spine disease, understanding condition specific costs is a critical first step. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Identifying Smoking Status and Smoking Cessation Using a Data Linkage Between the Kentucky Cancer Registry and Health Claims Data.

PURPOSE: Linkage of cancer registry data with complementary data sources can be an informative way to expand what is known about patients and their treatment and improve delivery of care. The purpose of this study was to explore whether patient smoking status and smoking-cessation modalities data in the Kentucky Cancer Registry (KCR) could be augmented by linkage with health claims data. METHODS: The KCR conducted a data linkage with health claims data from Medicare, Medicaid, state employee insurance, Humana, and Anthem. Smoking status was defined as documentation of personal history of tobacco use (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision [ICD-9] code V15.82) or tobacco use disorder (ICD-9 305.1) before and after a cancer diagnosis. Use of smoking-cessation treatments before and after the cancer diagnosis was defined as documentation of smoking-cessation counseling (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes 99406, 99407, G0375, and G0376) or pharmacotherapy (eg, nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, varenicline). RESULTS: From 2007 to 2011, among 23,703 patients in the KCR, we discerned a valid prediagnosis smoking status for 78%. KCR data only (72%), claims data only (6%), and a combination of both data sources (22%) were used to determine valid smoking status. Approximately 4% of patients with cancer identified as smokers (n = 11,968) and were provided smoking-cessation counseling, and 3% were prescribed pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: Augmenting KCR data with medical claims data increased capture of smoking status and use of smoking-cessation modalities. Cancer registries interested in exploring smoking status to influence treatment and research activities could consider a similar approach, particularly if their registry does not capture smoking status for a majority of patients.

Using healthcare claims data to analyze the prevalence of BCR-ABL-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in France: A nationwide population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Data on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) prevalence are scarce. Here we provide an estimation of the prevalence of CML in France for the year 2014 using French national health insurance data. METHODS: We selected patients claiming reimbursement for tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) or with hospital discharge diagnoses for CML, BCR/ABL-positive or with full reimbursement of health care expenses for myeloid leukemia. We built an algorithm which we validated on a random sample of 100 potential CML patients by comparing the results obtained using the algorithm and the opinion of two hematologists who reviewed the patient demographics and sequence of care abstracted from claims data (internal validity). For external validity, we compared the number of incident CML patients identified using the algorithm with those recorded in French population-based cancer registries in departments covered by such a registry. RESULTS: We identified 10 789 prevalent CML patients in 2014, corresponding to a crude prevalence rate of 16.3 per 100 000 inhabitants [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.0-16.6]: 18.5 in men [18.0-19.0] and 14.2 in women [13.8-14.6]. The crude CML prevalence was less than 1.6 per 100 000 [1.2-2.0] under age 20, increasing to a maximum of 48.2 [45.4-51.2) at ages 75-79. It varied from 10.2 to 23.8 per 100 000 across French departments. The algorithm showed high internal and external validity. Concordance rate between the algorithm and the hematologists was 96%, and the numbers of incident CML patients identified using the algorithm and the registries were 162 and 150, respectively. CONCLUSION: We built and validated an algorithm to identify CML patients in administrative healthcare databases. In addition to prevalence estimation, the algorithm could be used for future economic evaluations or pharmaco-epidemiological studies in this population.

Claims-Based Approach to Predict Cause-Specific Survival in Men With Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: Treatment decisions about localized prostate cancer depend on accurate estimation of the patient's life expectancy. Current cancer and noncancer survival models use a limited number of predefined variables, which could restrict their predictive capability. We explored a technique to create more comprehensive survival prediction models using insurance claims data from a large administrative data set. These data contain substantial information about medical diagnoses and procedures, and thus may provide a broader reflection of each patient's health. METHODS: We identified 57,011 Medicare beneficiaries with localized prostate cancer diagnosed between 2004 and 2009. We constructed separate cancer survival and noncancer survival prediction models using a training data set and assessed performance on a test data set. Potential model inputs included clinical and demographic covariates, and 8,971 distinct insurance claim codes describing comorbid diseases, procedures, surgeries, and diagnostic tests. We used a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator technique to identify predictive variables in the final survival models. Each model's predictive capacity was compared with existing survival models with a metric of explained randomness (ρ2) ranging from 0 to 1, with 1 indicating an ideal prediction. RESULTS: Our noncancer survival model included 143 covariates and had improved survival prediction (ρ2 = 0.60) compared with the Charlson comorbidity index (ρ2 = 0.26) and Elixhauser comorbidity index (ρ2 = 0.26). Our cancer-specific survival model included nine covariates, and had similar survival predictions (ρ2 = 0.71) to the Memorial Sloan Kettering prediction model (ρ2 = 0.68). CONCLUSION: Survival prediction models using high-dimensional variable selection techniques applied to claims data show promise, particularly with noncancer survival prediction. After further validation, these analyses could inform clinical decisions for men with prostate cancer.