Trends of medicare reimbursement for breast cancer and reconstructive surgery.

Siotos, Charalampos; Seu, Michelle Y; Frauchiger-Ankers, Reilly; Delmastro, Lauren E; O'Donoghue, Cristina; Madrigrano, Andrea; Alvarado, Rosalinda; Perez, Claudia B et al. · J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg · 2024

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Abstract

This study evaluated trends in Medicare reimbursement for commonly performed breast oncologic and reconstructive procedures. Average national relative value units (RVUs) for physician-based work, facilities, and malpractice were collected along with the corresponding conversion factors for each year. From 2010 to 2021, there was an overall average decrease of 15% in Medicare reimbursement for both breast oncology (-11%) and reconstructive procedures (-16%). Based on these findings, breast and reconstructive surgeons should advocate for reimbursement that better reflects the costs of their practice.

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