A Survey of Charge Sensitivity and Charge Awareness Among Intensive Care Unit Providers in a Large Academic Medical Center. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kingeter, Adam J.; Shotwell, Matthew S.; Parmley, C. Lee; Pandharipande, Pratik P.; Buntin, Melinda B.
• Is Part Of: Anesthesia & analgesia. Volume 129:Number 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Anesthesiology -- Periodicals; Anesthesia; Anesthesiology; Analgesia; Analgesics; Anesthesiology -- Periodicals; 617.9605
• DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000003679
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2999

Abstract

Abstract : Little is known about charge sensitivity or charge awareness among intensive care unit (ICU) providers in the United States. In a survey of 295 ICU providers at a large, academic medical center, 92.5% of respondents agreed that controlling health care expenses is partly their responsibility. However, 87.4% of respondents reported that they did not know the charges for most of the tests and medications they prescribe. Among surveyed participants, the correct charge for a medical procedure or test was selected only 35% of the time. While ICU providers overwhelmingly agree that controlling expenses is their responsibility, charge awareness is low and likely limits their ability to make value-based decisions.