6914 Footing the Bill: Analysis of DFU-related amputation cost expenditure in a sample of HealthFirst Insured Patients

Abstract Disclosure: M. Hashmi: None. C. Schechter: None. A. Herrera Chancay: None. H. Tabassum: None. N. Shiraliyeva: None. J. Daily: None. A.K. Myers: None. Objective Diabetes complications, especially diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), are a leading cause of health care expenditures. This study examined the total cost of amputations and subsequent procedures in Health First insured (HF) patients initially treated at Montefiore Medical Center (MMC) for DFU. Using the database of HF, a large-scale Medicaid managed insurance organization, we captured healthcare utilization beyond the scope of one hospital system, obtaining a more comprehensive understanding of expenditures. We also explored the associations of demographic and lab values with expenditures. Methods The HF data extraction covered calendar years 2021 and 2022 plus YTD 2023. Amputations were identified by CPT codes 27880, 27590, 28810, and 28820. One hundred twenty patients were included in the sample as they had HF insurance and their initial admission for DFU was at one of three hospitals at MMC. Demographic and laboratory data were extracted from the EHR. Demographics, lab values within 3 months of the index admission, and total costs were summarized, and paid amounts per capita per year were calculated. Expenditures included amputation, labs, wound care, surgery, hyperbaric therapy, interpreter services, emergency department visits, home care visits, and outpatient follow-up (in-person and telehealth). We explored demographic, comorbidity, and lab values as predictors of expenditure levels using a bivariate analysis. Results The mean age was 60.6 ± 12 years with majority being male (n=79, 65.3%) and having Type 2 Diabetes (n=103, 96.3%). A significant portion identified their race as other (n=58, 53.7%) or ethnicity as Hispanic-Latino (n=60, 56.1%). Common comorbidities in this group were current or former tobacco use (n=64, 59.2%), chronic kidney disease (n=62, 57.9%), and hypertension (n=94, 86.2%). Glycemic control was suboptimal with an average Hemoglobin A1c of 9.1% (SD 3.1%) and average admission glucose of 232.2 mg/dL. C-reactive protein 17.1 (SD 34.1) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate 88.8 (SD 36.3) were both elevated for most patients. The DFU-related amputation cost was higher for Hispanic-Latino individuals, RR 1.97 (CI 1.04, 3.71) and for those with chronic kidney disease, RR 1.36 (1, 1.86). Female sex, serum glucose and BMI were moderately associated with increased relative cost. The study was limited by not having access to subsequent visits outside our health system and the retrospective nature of the study. Conclusions Our study highlights disparities among patients who underwent a DFU related amputation, with higher costs for Hispanic-Latino individuals, those with chronic kidney disease , and women, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions for these populations to ameliorate the high cost of DFU-related care. Presentation: 6/2/2024