Fibroid embolization pays off for radiologists, insurers.(Gynecology)

SAN FRANCISCO -- Compared with hysterectomy and myomectomy, uterine fibroid embolization actually bolsters rather than bleeds the health care system, Anne Bussard, M.D., reported.

"Fibroid embolization is financially advantageous for the health care system, the insurer, and the radiologist. The only economic loser is the gynecologist, who loses a $1,000 surgical fee every time a woman chooses an embolization over a myomectomy or hysterectomy," said Dr. Bussard of the Jefferson Fibroid Center at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.

The study, which she presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, analyzed the costs and reimbursements associated with 299 women at her center who underwent abdominal hysterectomy, 105 who had abdominal myomectomy, and 136 who had uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) for symptomatic fibroids.

The baseline characteristics of all patients did not differ significantly except for their mean age, which was oldest in the hysterectomy group (48 years), followed by the UFE group (44 years) and then the myomectomy group (37 years).

The study looked at direct costs (such as nursing costs and operating room time), indirect costs (such as administrative costs) and hospital and physician reimbursements for each procedure and then calculated a net hospital income. "This is the first study of these treatments of which we are aware that calculated the net hospital income, defined as the total ...