|
Abstract
|
BACKGROUND: Workers Compensation claims have been previously associated with inferior clinical outcomes. However, variation in inpatient stays for orthopedic trauma injuries according to insurance type has not been previously examined.
METHODS: We investigated the differences according to insurance for tibial shaft fractures in regard to length of stay and disposition. Using the New York SPARCS database, we identified 1,856 adult non-elderly patients with an isolated tibial shaft fracture who underwent surgery. Patients were stratified by insurance type, including private, Medicaid, Workers Compensation, and no-fault, which covers medical expenses related to automobile or pedestrian accidents.
RESULTS: Compared to private insurance (mean: 2.7 days), length of stay was longer for no-fault (mean: 3.9 days; adjusted difference +33%, p < 0.001) and Medicaid (mean: 3.5 days; adjusted difference +22%, p < 0.001), but not significantly different for Workers Compensation (mean: 3.5 days; adjusted difference +4%, p = 0.474). Compared to private insurance (rate: 3.5%), disposition to a facility was significantly higher for no-fault (rate: 10.1%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.3, p < 0.001) and Medicaid (rate: 7.6%; OR = 2.2, p = 0.003), but was not significantly different for Workers Compensation (rate: 6.3%; OR = 1.8, p = 0.129).
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with no-fault insurance, but not Workers Compensation, are subject to longer hospital stays and are more likely to be discharged to a facility following operative fixation of an isolated tibial shaft fracture. These findings suggest that financial, social, and legal factors influence medical care for patients involved in automobile accidents with no-fault insurance.
Language: en |