Hospitalizations and transgender patients in the United States.

It is known that transgender people experience health inequalities. Disparities in hospital outcomes impacting transgender individuals have been inadequately explored. We conducted this retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample (01/2018-12/2019) to compare in-hospital mortality and utilization variables between cisgender and transgender individuals using regression analyses. Approximately two-thirds of hospitalizations for transgender patients (n = 10,245) were for psychiatric diagnoses. Compared to cisgender patients, there were no significant differences in adjusted means differences (aMD) in length of stay (LOS) (aMD = -0.29; p = .16) or total charges (aMD = -$486; p = .56). An additional 4870 transgender patients were admitted for medical diagnoses. Transgender and cisgender individuals had similar adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for in-hospital mortality (aOR = 0.96; p = .88) and total hospital charges (aMD = -$3118; p = .21). However, transgender individuals had longer LOS (aMD = +0.46 days; confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.90; p = .04). When comparing mortality and resource utilization between cisgender and transgender individuals, differences were negligible.

The impact of different co-morbidities on clinical outcomes and resource utilization in critically ill burn and surgical patients: A population-based analysis of social determinants of health.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to establish the significance of social determinants of health and prevalent co-morbidities on multiple indicators for quality of care in patients admitted to the Burn and Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of population group data for patients admitted at the Burn and Surgical ICU from January 1, 2016, to November 18, 2019. The primary outcomes were length of hospital stay (LOS), mortality, 30-day readmission, and hospital charges. Pearson's chi-square test for categorical variables and t-test for continuous variables were used to compare population health groups. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 487 burn and 510 surgical patients. When comparing ICU patients, we observed significantly higher mean hospital charges and length of stay (LOS) in BICU v. SICU patients with a history of mental health ($93,259.40 v. $50,503.36, p = 0.013 and 16.28 v. 9.16 days, p = 0.0085), end-stage-renal-disease (ESRD) ($653,871.05 v. $75,746.35, p = 0.0047 and 96.15 v. 17.53 days, p = 0.0104), sepsis ($267,979.60 v. $99,154.41, p = <0.001 and 39.1 v. 18.42 days, p = 0.0043), and venous thromboembolism (VTE) ($757,740.50 v. $117,816.40, p = <0.001 and 93.11 v. 20.21 days, p = 0.002). Also, higher mortality was observed in burn patients with ESRD, ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), sepsis, VTE, and diabetes mellitus. 30-day-readmissions were greater among burn patients with a history of mental health, drug dependence, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides new insights into the variability of outcomes between burn patients treated in different critical care settings, underlining the influence of comorbidities on these outcomes. By comparing burn patients in the BICU with those in the SICU, we aim to highlight how differences in patient backgrounds, including the quality of care received, contribute to these outcomes. This comparison underscores the need for tailored healthcare strategies that consider the unique challenges faced by each patient group, aiming to mitigate disparities in health outcomes and healthcare spending. Further research to develop relevant and timely interventions that can improve these outcomes.

Unveiling the evolving landscape of stroke care costs: A time-driven analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is a common cause of mortality in the United States. However, the economic burden of stroke on the healthcare system is not well known. In this study, we aim to calculate the annual cumulative and per-patient cost of stroke. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS). We calculate annual trends in cost for stroke patients from 2006 to 2019. A multivariate linear regression with patient characteristics (e.g. age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index) as covariates was used to identify factors for higher costs. RESULTS: In this study time-period, 2,998,237 stroke patients presented to the ED and 2,481,171 (83 %) were admitted. From 2006 to 2019, the cumulative ED cost increased by a factor of 7.0 from 0.49 ± 0.03 to 3.91 ± 0.16 billion dollars (p < 0.001). The cumulative inpatient (IP) cost increased by a factor of 2.7 from 14.42 ± 0.78 to 37.06 ± 2.26 billion dollars (p < 0.001. Per-patient ED charges increased by a factor of 3.0 from 1950 ± 64 to 7818 ± 260 dollars (p < 0.001). Per-patient IP charges increased by 89 % from 40.22 +/- 1.12 to 76.06 ± 3.18 thousand dollars (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Strokes place an increasing financial burden on the US healthcare system. Certain patient demographics including age, male gender, more comorbidities, and insurance type were significantly associated with increased cost of care.

Financial toxicity among patients undergoing resectional surgery for inflammatory bowel disease in the United States.

AIM: Financial toxicity describes the financial burden and distress that patients experience due to medical treatment. Financial toxicity has yet to be characterized among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergoing surgical management of their disease. This study investigated the risk of financial toxicity associated with undergoing surgery for IBD. METHODS: This study used a retrospective analysis using the National Inpatient Sample from 2015 to 2019. Adult patients who underwent IBD-related surgery were identified using the International Classification of Diseases (10th Revision) diagnostic and procedure codes and stratified into privately insured and uninsured groups. The primary outcome was risk of financial toxicity, defined as hospital admission charges that constituted 40% or more of patient's post-subsistence income. Secondary outcomes included total hospital admission cost and predictors of financial toxicity. RESULTS: The analytical cohort consisted of 6412 privately insured and 3694 uninsured patients. Overall median hospital charges were $21 628 (interquartile range $14 758-$35 386). Risk of financial toxicity was 86.5% among uninsured patients and 0% among insured patients. Predictors of financial toxicity included emergency admission, being in the lowest residential income quartile and having ulcerative colitis (compared to Crohn's disease). Additional predictors were being of Black race or male sex. CONCLUSION: Financial toxicity is a serious consequence of IBD-related surgery among uninsured patients. Given the pervasive nature of this consequence, future steps to support uninsured patients receiving surgery, in particular emergency surgery, related to their IBD are needed to protect this group from financial risk.

Same day discharge colon surgery: is it financially worth it?

AIM: Same day discharge (SDD) for colorectal surgery shows increasing promise in the era of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and minimally invasive surgery. It has become increasingly relevant due to the constraints posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to compare SDD and postoperative day 1 (POD1) discharge to understand the clinical outcomes and financial impact on factors such as cost, charge, revenue, contribution margin and readmission. METHOD: A retrospective review of colectomies was performed at a single institution over a 2-year period (n = 143). Two populations were identified: SDD (n = 51) and POD1 (n = 92). Patients were selected by International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems-10 (ICD-10) and Diagnosis Related Grouper (DRG) codes. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference favouring SDD in total hospital cost (p < 0.0001), average direct costs (p < 0.0001) and average charges (p < 0.0016). SDD average hospital costs were $8699 (values in USD throughout) compared with $11 652 for POD 1 (p < 0.0001), and average SDD hospital charges were $85 506 compared with $97 008 for POD1 (p < 0.0016). The net revenue for SDD was $22 319 while for POD1 it was $26 173 (p = 0.14). Upon comparison of contribution margins (SDD $13 620 vs. POD1 $14 522), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.73). There were no identified statistically significant differences in operating room time, robotic console time, readmission rates or surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Amidst the pandemic-related constraints, we found that SDD was associated with lower hospital costs and comparable contribution margins compared with POD1. Additionally, the study was unable to identify any significant difference between operating time, readmissions, and surgical complications when performing SDD.

Hospital Prices for Physician-Administered Drugs for Patients with Private Insurance.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals can leverage their position between the ultimate buyers and sellers of drugs to retain a substantial share of insurer pharmaceutical expenditures. METHODS: In this study, we used 2020-2021 national Blue Cross Blue Shield claims data regarding patients in the United States who had drug-infusion visits for oncologic conditions, inflammatory conditions, or blood-cell deficiency disorders. Markups of the reimbursement prices were measured in terms of amounts paid by Blue Cross Blue Shield plans to hospitals and physician practices relative to the amounts paid by these providers to drug manufacturers. Acquisition-price reductions in hospital payments to drug manufacturers were measured in terms of discounts under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. We estimated the percentage of Blue Cross Blue Shield drug spending that was received by drug manufacturers and the percentage retained by provider organizations. RESULTS: The study included 404,443 patients in the United States who had 4,727,189 drug-infusion visits. The median price markup (defined as the ratio of the reimbursement price to the acquisition price) for hospitals eligible for 340B discounts was 3.08 (interquartile range, 1.87 to 6.38). After adjustment for drug, patient, and geographic factors, price markups at hospitals eligible for 340B discounts were 6.59 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.02 to 7.16) as high as those in independent physician practices, and price markups at noneligible hospitals were 4.34 times (95% CI, 3.77 to 4.90) as high as those in physician practices. Hospitals eligible for 340B discounts retained 64.3% of insurer drug expenditures, whereas hospitals not eligible for 340B discounts retained 44.8% and independent physician practices retained 19.1%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that hospitals imposed large price markups and retained a substantial share of total insurer spending on physician-administered drugs for patients with private insurance. The effects were especially large for hospitals eligible for discounts under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program on acquisition costs paid to manufacturers. (Funded by Arnold Ventures and the National Institute for Health Care Management.).

Association of ICD-10 Clinical Modification Codes for Social Determinants of Health with Surgical Outcomes and Hospital Charges Among Cancer Patients.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to characterize the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH)-related codes on outcomes among patients with a cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with lung, pancreas, colon, or rectal cancer between 2017 and 2020 were identified in the California Department of Healthcare Access and Information Patient Discharge Database. Data on concomitant SDOH-related codes (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision [ICD-10] Z55-Z65) designating health hazards related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances were obtained. The association of these SDOH codes with postoperative outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: Among 10,421 patients who underwent an operation from 2017 to 2020, median age was 66 years (interquartile range [IQR] 56-75) and nearly half of the cohort was male (n = 551,252.9%). In total, 102 (1%) patients had a concurrent ICD-10 SDOH diagnosis. After controlling for competing risk factors, the risk-adjusted probability of in-hospital death was 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-7.2) among patients with an SDOH diagnosis compared with 2.9% (95% CI 2.5-3.2) among patients without an SDOH diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 1.52, 95% CI 0.63-3.66; p = 0.258); postoperative complications were 27.0% (95% CI 20.0-34.1) compared with 24.9% (95% CI 24.1-25.6) among patients without an SDOH diagnosis (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.73-1.82; p = 0.141), and length of stay was 10.6 days (95% CI 10.0-11.2) compared with 9.4 days (95% CI 9.3-9.5) among patients without an SDOH diagnosis. Patients with an SDOH diagnosis had a 5.19 (95% CI 3.23-8.34; p < 0.005) higher odds of being discharged to a skilled nursing facility versus patients without an SDOH diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Uptake and utilization of ICD-10 SDOH was 1% among California patients with lung, pancreas, colon, or rectal cancer. Patients with a concomitant ICD-10 SDOH code had longer length of stay and had higher odds of being discharged to a skilled nursing facility.

Trends in Volume and Charges of Retinal Tear Patients in the Emergency Department.

PURPOSE: To characterize retinal tears (RTs) and calculate the economic burden of RTs that present to the emergency department (ED) in the US. METHODS: We used a large national ED database to retrospectively analyze RTs that presented to the ED from 2006 to 2019. Using extrapolation methods, national of the RT patient ED volume, demographics, comorbidities, disposition, inpatient (IP) charges, and ED charges were calculated. RESULTS: During the period between 2006 and 2019, 15841 ED encounters had RT listed as the primary diagnosis. The average annual RT ED encounters was 2,640 ± 856 and comprised an average of 6.4 × 10-5% of all ED visits annually. The number and ED percentage of RT encounters did not change during this time period (p = .22, p = .67, respectively). Most patients were males, Caucasian, paid with private insurance, and admitted to EDs in the Northeast. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (19%), a history of cataracts (15%), and diabetes (7.2%). During this time period, RTs charges added up to more than $79 million and $33 million in the ED and IP settings, respectively. Mean per-encounter ED and IP charges increased by 145% (p = .0008) and 86% (p = .0047), respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite the stable number of RT patients presenting to the ED, RTs place a significant economic burden to the healthcare system, which increases yearly. We recommend physicians and policy makers to work together to pass laws that could prevent the increasing healthcare charges.

The Variation of Chargemaster Price Listings for Urogynecologic Procedures.

IMPORTANCE: A 2018 Executive Order calling for price transparency required hospitals to publicly provide chargemasters, which are detailed lists of standard price listings for billable medical procedures. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate price listing variations in common urogynecology procedures. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study of chargemasters obtained between February and April 2020 from hospitals across 5 states chosen to reflect the diversity of health systems in the United States. Hospital characteristic and quality metric data were obtained from the Homeland Infrastructure Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services websites. Current Procedural Terminology codes and procedure names for 9 urogynecologic procedures were used to search each chargemaster and extract price listings. Price listings were compared with data on quality, population demographics, and hospital characteristics to determine if any significant relationships existed. RESULTS: Eight hundred thirty-four chargemasters were identified. Price listings for most procedures differed significantly across the 5 states, including colpocleisis, cystoscopy with chemodenervation, diagnostic cystoscopy, diverticulectomy, sacral neuromodulation, midurethral sling, and sacrospinous ligament fixation. Price listings were significantly higher in urban hospitals than rural hospitals for 6 procedures. No significant association was seen with price listing and quality measures for most procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Listed prices varied for several urogynecologic procedures. Some of this variation is associated with hospital characteristics such as urban setting. However, notably, price listing was not associated with quality. Further investigation of chargemaster price listings with hospital characteristics and quality metrics and with what is actually paid by patients is imperative for patients to navigate charges.

Reported Variation in Hospital Billing Quality.

This study examines how US hospitals perform on billing quality measures, including legal actions taken by a hospital to collect medical debt, the timeliness of sending patients an itemized billing statement, and patient access to a qualified billing representative.

Ongoing Challenges With Price Transparency in Hospital Charges for Hand Procedures.

In 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a historic rule on price transparency that aimed to better inform Americans about their health care costs by requiring hospitals to publicly provide pricing information on their items and services. In this review article, we describe the current gaps in transparency that persist after the implementation of the rule, from incomplete pricing files to noncompliance despite the issuance of monetary penalties by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Price transparency is vital for hand and upper extremity procedures, given their cost variation and patient desire for more financial discussions with their physicians regarding these procedures. Further improvements and interventions by various stakeholders are necessary to improve the current state of hospital price transparency and cost information for these patients and for anyone who seeks to make informed health care decisions. Policymakers should enforce stronger financial interventions and penalties and promote the use of bundled payments to facilitate better compliance by hospitals through a more expanded and accessible display of health care service costs. To help increase health care financial literacy among consumers, hand surgeons and hospital staff should engage in more dialog regarding health care prices and financial considerations with their patients.

Regional differences in the utilization and outcomes of cerebral embolic protection during transcatheter aortic valve replacement: an analysis of the National Inpatient Sample from 2017 through 2019.

Aim: To evaluate the utilization and outcomes of cerebral embolic protection (CEP) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) by USA region, using discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Patients & methods: All TAVR discharge encounters from June 2017-2019 were included in the analysis. Discharge encounters with bicuspid anatomy were excluded. Regional CEP utilization rates were reported. For TAVR cases performed with the Sentinel CEP device (Boston Scientific, MA, USA), multivariable logistic regression was performed to model regional differences in TAVR outcomes including: stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke/TIA combined, and in-hospital all-cause mortality. Generalized linear regression models were used to assess regional differences in length of stay (LOS) and hospital charges. Results: The Northeast had the greatest overall CEP utilization rate (11.3%), followed by the Midwest (11.1%), West (8.7%), then South (3.1%). Compared with the Northeast, the South was associated with a lower risk of stroke (OR: 0.267, 95% CI: 0.106-0.673; p = 0.005), and the West a higher risk of stroke (OR: 1.583, 95% CI: 1.044-2.401; p = 0.031). Compared with the Northeast, the West was associated with a higher risk of stroke/TIA combined (OR: 1.618, 95% CI: 1.107-2.364; p = 0.013). Compared with the Northeast, the Midwest (OR: 4.501, 95% CI: 2.229-9.089; p < 0.001) and West (OR: 5.316, 95% CI: 2.611-10.824; p < 0.001) were associated with a higher risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality. Adjusted charges and LOS were highest in the West. Conclusion: Within the USA, there are regional differences in the utilization and outcomes of CEP use during TAVR. To prevent regional disparities and ensure consistent quality of care in the USA, further research is needed to determine what variable(s) may be responsible for regional differences in TAVR outcomes, with or without CEP.

Laser enucleation of the prostate (LEP) vs. simple prostatectomy: an analysis of hospital charges and comparison of practice trends.

PURPOSE: Laser enucleation of the prostate (LEP) and simple prostatectomy (SP) are surgical treatment options for large gland Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. While multiple studies compare clinical outcomes of these procedures, there are limited data available comparing hospital charges in the United States. Here, we present current practice trends and a hospital charge analysis on a national level using an annual insurance claims data repository. METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample and Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample databases for 2018 were queried. CPT and ICD-10PCS codes identified patients undergoing LEP or SP, who were then compared for practice setting, total hospital charges, and payor. Laser type for LEP and surgical approach for SP could not be differentiated. RESULTS: The median hospital charge of 5782 LEPs and 973 SPs is $26,689 and $51,250 (p < 0.001), respectively. LEP independently predicts a decreased hospital charge of $16,464 (p < 0.001) per case. Medicare is the primary payor for both procedures. More LEP procedures are completed in the outpatient setting (87.8%) vs. SPs (5.7%, p < 0.001). Median length of stay is longer for SP (LEP: 0, IQR: 0; SP: 3, IQR: 2-4; p < 0.001). In the Western region, LEP is least commonly performed (184, p < 0.001), most expensive ($43,960; p < 0.001), and has longer length of stay (2, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LEP should be considered a cost-effective alternative to SP. Regions of the U.S. that perform more LEPs have shorter length of stay and lower hospital charges associated with the procedure.

Comparisons between White and Black Patients Hospitalized with Postliver Transplant Complications/Failure.

OBJECTIVES: The impact of race on patients presenting to North American hospitals with postliver transplant complications/failure (PLTCF) has not been studied fully. We compared in-hospital mortality and resource utilization outcomes between White and Black patients hospitalized with PLTCF. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study that evaluated the years 2016 and 2017 from the National Inpatient Sample. Regression analysis was used to determine in-hospital mortality and resource utilization. RESULTS: There were 10,805 hospitalizations for adults with liver transplants who presented with PLTCF. White and Black patients with PLTCF made up 7925 (73.3%) hospitalizations from this population. Among this group, 6480 were White (81.7%) and 1445 were Black (18.2%). Blacks were younger than Whites (mean age ± standard error of the mean: 46.8 ± 1.1 vs 53.6 ± 0.39 years, P < 0.01). Blacks were more likely to be female (53.9% vs 37.4%, P < 0.01). Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were not significantly different (scores ≥3: 46.7% vs 44.2%, P = 0.83). Blacks had significantly higher odds for in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.9, confidence interval [CI] 1.4-6.1; P < 0.01). Hospital charges were higher for Blacks compared with Whites (adjusted mean difference $48,432; 95% CI $2708-$94,157, P = 0.03). Blacks had significantly longer lengths of hospital stays (adjusted mean difference 3.1 days, 95% CI 1.1-5.1, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with White patients hospitalized for PLTCF, Black patients had higher in-hospital mortality and resource use. Investigation into causes leading to this health disparity is needed to improve in-hospital outcomes.

Descriptions and Changes in Charge Master Pricings of US Children's Hospitals From 2019 to 2021.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A lack of price transparency may contribute to high healthcare costs. US hospitals were mandated to post their charge masters online in 2019. To compare changes in charge master prices of 3 common tests (complete blood count, complete metabolic panel, and chest radiograph) at US children's hospitals between 2019 and 2021. METHODS: Online search for charge master was conducted from July to December 2019 and October to December 2021. Descriptive statistics were reported for each test. Prices between years were adjusted for inflation and compared with paired t test. City-level variation was evaluated by comparing the coefficient of variation in 6 metropolitan areas: Baltimore, California Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and New York City. RESULTS: Of 847 hospitals, charge masters were found in 747 (88%) in 2021 and 728 (86%) in 2019. Complete blood count prices ranged from $5 to $1037 in 2019 and $5 to $1085 in 2021, with no difference between the 2 years (P = .17). Complete metabolic panel prices ranged from $10 to $2440 in 2019 and $6 to $2746 in 2021, with no difference in prices (P = .75). Chest radiograph prices ranged from $20 to $1900 in 2019 compared with $30 to $5800 in 2021. Prices were higher compared with 2019 ($392 vs. $365, P < .0006). City-level changes in the coefficient of variation showed only 2 cities with reduced coefficients of variation in all 3 tests. CONCLUSIONS: Two years after mandating hospitals post charge masters online, there continues to be tremendous variability in prices of common tests across US children's hospitals.

Financial analysis of minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy compared with native tissue vaginal repair with concomitant hysterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (MISCP) is increasingly used for uterovaginal prolapse, but comparative cost data of MISCP versus native tissue vaginal repair (NTR) are lacking. The objective was to determine the cost difference, from a hospital perspective, between MISCP and NTR performed with hysterectomy for uterovaginal prolapse. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care center of women who underwent NTR or MISCP with concomitant hysterectomy in 2021. Hospital charges, direct and indirect costs, and operating margin (revenue minus costs) were obtained from Strata Jazz and compared using SPSS. RESULTS: A total of 82 women were included, 33 MISCP (25 robotic, 8 laparoscopic) versus 49 NTR. Demographic and surgical data were similar, except that MISCP had younger age (50.5 vs 61.1 years, p<0.01). Same-day discharge and estimated blood loss were similar, but operative time was longer for MISCP (204 vs 161 min, p<0.01). MISCP total costs were higher (US$17,422 vs US$13,001, p<0.01). MISCP had higher direct costs (US$12,354 vs US$9,305, p<0.01) and indirect costs (US$5,068 vs US$3,696, p<0.01). Consumable supply costs were higher with MISCP (US$4,429 vs US$2,089, p<0.01), but the cost of operating room time and staff was similar (US$7,926 vs US$7,216, p=0.07). Controlling for same-day discharge, anti-incontinence procedures and smoking, total costs were higher for MISCP (adjusted beta = US$4,262, p<0.01). Mean charges (US$102,060 vs US$97,185, p=0.379), revenue (US$22,214 vs US$22,491, p=0.929), and operating margin (US$8,719 vs US$3,966, p=0.134) were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy had higher costs than NTR; however, charges, reimbursement, and operating margins were not statistically significantly different between the groups.

Demystifying hospital charges for hospital readmissions in 2017 in the United States for psychosis (DRG = 885).

Existing research on hospital charges is primarily focused on hospital admissions, but not on hospital readmissions. Our research fills this gap. We utilize the 2017 Hospital Readmissions database from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to empirically study factors that impact hospital charges for hospital readmissions. We focus on psychosis (DRG = 885) which has 609,360 records in 2017 in the AHRQ database. We employ regression analyses using patient demographics, inpatient care variables, and hospital characteristics to explain variance in hospital charges. Results show that inpatient care (diagnoses, procedures, length of stay), hospital ownership, and younger patients result in higher hospital charges.