Massachusetts was among the first states to implement a healthcare overhaul, which became the model for the national Affordable Care Act.
The changes had several implications on orthopedic trauma care, according to a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. The researchers found:
1. There was a decrease in uninsured orthopedic trauma patients who received medical treatment. There was a 63 percent reduction in the odds of being uninsured in Massachusetts as compared to surrounding states.
2. Fewer patients opted not to undergo care. There was a 49 percent reduction in those forgoing care because of cost and 51 percent for lack of a personal physician.
3. The state's advertised uninsured rate may not predict payer mix, which could mean seeking hospital support to provide consistent care for the orthopaedic trauma population.
4. There are sometimes uninsured patients who are not citizens of the state and don't qualify for the state's subsidized insurance, and out-of-state care provided even in urgent cases hold the patient responsible for payment. The study recommends serving these patients by performing urgent care when they present and then referring them to one of their state-supported institutions.
5. Practitioners who rely on these procedures for income are aligning with hospitals for patient-centered outcome metrics and goals to add value to the injured patients. Outcomes and hospital length of stay are also positively impacted.
"It is essential to emphasize the synergy that will be required between orthopedic trauma surgeons and their hospitals to provide universal care to those in need," concluded the study authors.