Insurance reimbursement in a university-based pediatric weight management clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To compare third-party payor reimbursement for patients evaluated in a university-based pediatric weight management clinic in central Kentucky.


METHODS
Demographic and reimbursement data were reviewed for 120 patients evaluated January to December 2004. Statistical analysis included Kruskal-Wallis test and Friedman's test.


RESULTS
Overall, median reimbursement was 60%. For new appointments, contracted (56%) and capitated (60%) reimbursements were higher than Medicaid (55%). For established appointments, Medicaid reimbursement (100%) was higher than contracted (37%) and capitated (58%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that reimbursement is influenced by regional factors and is improving in central Kentucky.
Griffith
Joan
J
University of Kentucky, Department of Pediatrics, Lexington, KY, USA. joanrgriffith@earthlink.net
Gantz
Starr
S
Lowry
Jill
J
Dai
Hongying
H
Bada
Henrietta
H
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D009765:Obesity / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D050177:Overweight; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000191:economics*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012577:Schools, Medical