Cost and reimbursement for three fibroid treatments: abdominal hysterectomy, abdominal myomectomy, and uterine fibroid embolization.
OBJECTIVE
To compare costs and reimbursements for three different treatments for uterine fibroids.


METHODS
Costs and reimbursements were collected and analyzed from the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital decision support database from 540 women who underwent abdominal hysterectomy (n = 299), abdominal myomectomy (n = 105), or uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) (n = 136) for uterine fibroids during 2000-2002. We used the chi-square test and ANOVA, followed by Fisher's Least Significant Difference test, for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The mean total hospital cost (US dollar) for UFE was 2,707 dollars, which was significantly less than for hysterectomy (5,707 dollars) or myomectomy (5,676 dollars) (p < 0.05). The mean hospital net income (hospital net reimbursement minus total hospital cost) for UFE was 57 dollars, which was significantly greater than for hysterectomy (-572 dollars) or myomectomy (-715 dollars) (p < 0.05). The mean professional (physician) reimbursements for UFE, hysterectomy, and myomectomy were 1,306 dollars, 979 dollars, and 1,078 dollars, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
UFE has lower hospital costs and greater hospital net income than abdominal hysterectomy or abdominal myomectomy for treating uterine fibroids. UFE may be more financially advantageous than hysterectomy or myomectomy for the insurer, hospital, and health care system. Costs and reimbursements may vary amongst different hospitals and regions.
Goldberg
Jay
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College, 834 Chestnut Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. jaygoldbergmd@yahoo.com
Bussard
Anne
A
McNeil
Jean
J
Diamond
James
J
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015143:Philadelphia; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*