Billing and Utilization Trends in Reconstructive Microsurgery Indicate Worsening Access to Care.

Our analysis of microsurgical procedures billed to Medicare Part B from 2013 to 2020 showed that hospital charges are increasing at faster rate than that of reimbursements. This may be in part due to increasing physician expenses, cost of advanced technology in microsurgical procedures, and inadequate reimbursement rates. Regardless, these increased markups may limit patients who are economically disadvantaged from accessing care. Policy makers should consider legislation aimed at updating Medicare reimbursement rates to reflect the increasing complexity and cost associated with microsurgical procedures, as well as regulating charge markups at the hospital level.