1. How Might Identification of Payer Mix in Palliative Care and Supportive Oncology Affect Resource Allocation for Hospital Systems in the SE
Kimberly Curseen1, Karen Armstrong1, Ali John Zarrabi1, Tammie Quest1,
1 Emory Palliative Care Center
Introduction
Research suggests that payer mix impacts hospital quality outcomes. outpatient palliative/supportive oncology practice in an urban Southern academic medical center.
Results
We found significant differences (p < 0.05) for patients with LOS ≥ 30 days, discharge disposition to hospice or other, readmissions and payer mix for private insurance compared to government insurance. Our patients with government insurance were more likely to have LOS < 30 days, more than five readmissions, and discharge to hospice compared to patients with commercial insurance. 
Results
Supportive Oncology Cohort
Table 1. Characteristics of SOC Patients (N = 3137)
Payer Mix
Government
23.32%
Commercial
76.05%
Discharge Disposition
Expired
10.45%
Discharged hospice
89.55%
Length of Stay mean SD (15.63)
Demographics
white
48.39%
Non-white
51.61%
Age mean SD (15.23)
17.9%
9.1%
10.6%
Other
7.1%
SD = standard deviation
Study Objective
We investigated how payer mix informs financial planning important to developing and sustaining programs for new Palliative/Supportive oncology programs in the Southeast.
Methods
Study Design, Setting and Population
We conducted a chart review of supportive oncology patients from (n=3137) using data restricted to ICD10 codes for solid tumors.
We performed Chi Squared tests to examine readmissions, insurance status, and discharge disposition in a Supportive Oncology Cohort.
Summary and Conclusions
The findings provide evidence that we need further investigation to examine potential interactions of sociodemographic factors on payer mix and discharge disposition. Findings may inform financial planning important to developing and sustaining programs for new Palliative/Supportive oncology programs in the Southeast.