Abstract
Objectives
To describe health-care spending and utilization for infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Study design
Retrospective cohort analysis of 4973 NICU graduates in the Truven MarketScan Medicaid database, with follow-up to the third birthday. Health-care spending and utilization after NICU discharge were assessed. Using logistic regression, we assessed clinical characteristics associated with hospitalization and emergency department (ED) visits.
Results
Most (69.5%) post-NICU spending occurred within the first year [$33,276 per member per year]. Inpatient care accounted for most (71.6%) of the 3-year spending. The percentages of infants with a 1-year readmission or ED visit were 36.8% and 63.7%, respectively. Medical technology was associated with the highest likelihoods of hospital [aOR 17.8 (95%CI 12.2–26.0)] and ED use [aOR 2.3 (95%CI 1.8–3.0)].
Conclusions
Hospital care accounts for the majority of spending for NICU graduates. Infants with medical technology have the highest risk of hospital and ED use.
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Acknowledgements
DZK and CJS were supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number R40MC23626. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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Kuo, D.Z., Berry, J.G., Hall, M. et al. Health-care spending and utilization for children discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol 38, 734–741 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0055-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0055-5
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