Real-World Peripheral Embolization Characteristics Among Medicare Patients
Author(s)
Anna Ratiu, MPH, Alissa Doth, BS, Kael Wherry, MS, PhD.
Medtronic, Mounds View, MN, USA.
Medtronic, Mounds View, MN, USA.
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: The use of peripheral embolization procedures has been used by a variety of physicians to treat multiple conditions. In recent years, additional embolization devices have become available allowing expansion of conditions for which embolization is used. Our goal was to characterize real-world practice patterns for embolization procedures and the and patients receiving embolization treatment.
METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, we utilized Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) (2021 and 2022) and Medicare Advantage (MA) data (2021) to identify embolization procedures using CPT codes 37241, 37242, 37243, and 37244. We identified visit characteristics associated with the procedure, along with patient demographic information.
RESULTS: A total of 113955 procedures were identified in this analysis. Counts of embolization were similar between years and payer type (2021 FFS: N=37927; 2022 FFS: N=38103; 2021 MA: N= 37925). Embolization for tumors, organ ischemia, or infarction (37243); and embolization for arterial or venous hemorrhage or lymphatic extravasation (37244) were the most frequently occurring CPT code, 38% and 37%, respectively.Liver-related cancers (23%), hemorrhage (14%) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (6%) were the most commonly occurring diagnoses associated with an embolization claim. Many procedures were performed in an inpatient hospital (30%), outpatient hospital (28%) or physician office (4%). Procedures were predominately performed in the Southern region (39%) compared to the Midwest (20%), Northeast (19%) and West (22%). Among the FFS embolization claims (N=76030), 81% of procedures were performed by radiologists.77% of procedures were performed on White patients, compared to Black, Asian, and Hispanic patients (12%, 3%, and 3%, respectively). Most embolization patients were male (63%).
CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to identify whether any of the procedure characteristics vary based upon the condition for which embolization is performed. Future characterizing of the patient population will identify whether inequities exist between embolization use based on patient characteristics.
METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, we utilized Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) (2021 and 2022) and Medicare Advantage (MA) data (2021) to identify embolization procedures using CPT codes 37241, 37242, 37243, and 37244. We identified visit characteristics associated with the procedure, along with patient demographic information.
RESULTS: A total of 113955 procedures were identified in this analysis. Counts of embolization were similar between years and payer type (2021 FFS: N=37927; 2022 FFS: N=38103; 2021 MA: N= 37925). Embolization for tumors, organ ischemia, or infarction (37243); and embolization for arterial or venous hemorrhage or lymphatic extravasation (37244) were the most frequently occurring CPT code, 38% and 37%, respectively.Liver-related cancers (23%), hemorrhage (14%) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (6%) were the most commonly occurring diagnoses associated with an embolization claim. Many procedures were performed in an inpatient hospital (30%), outpatient hospital (28%) or physician office (4%). Procedures were predominately performed in the Southern region (39%) compared to the Midwest (20%), Northeast (19%) and West (22%). Among the FFS embolization claims (N=76030), 81% of procedures were performed by radiologists.77% of procedures were performed on White patients, compared to Black, Asian, and Hispanic patients (12%, 3%, and 3%, respectively). Most embolization patients were male (63%).
CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to identify whether any of the procedure characteristics vary based upon the condition for which embolization is performed. Future characterizing of the patient population will identify whether inequities exist between embolization use based on patient characteristics.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
HSD93
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
STA: Surgery