PHYSICIAN AND CLINIC CHARGES FOR DIAGNOSING GROWTH-HORMONE DEFICIENCY

Physician and clinic charges for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children are not generally known, whereas the charges for pur chasing growth hormone (GH) are known, We recently surveyed the charge s submitted to third-party payers for diagnosing GHD in five pediatric endocrine clinics throughout the United States: the Albert Einstein C ollege of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Health Science Schools of the State University of New York at Buffalo, Oregon Health Science s University, and the University of Chicago, The financial data analyz ed included charges for physician services and for GH testing, Differe nt approaches to the medical examination of children with suspected GH D at these clinics prevented any comparison of physician or GH testing charges, However, the charges for diagnosing GHD could be determined for each pediatric endocrine clinic if the methods of examination were not considered, Contractual adjustments, net revenues, costs, and net margins were not surveyed, Subjective comments from the study sites s uggest significantly reduced reimbursement amounts, We conclude that t he total charges for diagnosing GHD submitted to third-patty payers at these institutions averaged $1719.