Educational Exhibit Abstract No. 294 - Financial impact of a resident-run vascular and interventional radiology clinic

Abstract

Learning Objectives Resident-run Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR) resident clinics represent an emerging trend in the education of VIR trainees. As the concept is not widely adopted, the financial impact of a clinic on an existing training program has not been described. We present data regarding reimbursement over a three-year period at a resident-run VIR clinic at a single institution. We detail reimbursement patterns of the training institution and the private practice group staffing the VIR section. Background The Maine Medical Center Model and referral patterns of a resident-run VIR clinic has been presented previously. We believe the clinical access offered by direct patient care from referral through follow-up provides a means to maintain clinical competence. A clinic fosters the development of patient care skills specific to VIR and provides correlative experience relevant to VIR imaging. The clinic serves to improve access for patients with limited financial resources. Clinical Findings/Procedure Details The first 40 clinic referrals generated 34 consult visits with a total of 56 clinic visits. Consults generated 36 imaging studies and 31 unique procedures. Total professional charges for the VIR physician group were $126,642. Nearly half was categorized as free care ($58,333) under identical criteria for the hospital and radiology group. Of the remaining charges, 23.8% ($16,291, or 12.9% of total charges) were reimbursed. Total charges generated by Maine Medical Center were $347,264. Of available data, approximately 30.5% was reimbursed. Medicare and Medicaid (Maine Care) accounted for the majority of reimbursement. Conclusion and/or Teaching Points A resident-run VIR clinic represents an exceptional opportunity for trainees to build the clinical skills necessary for contemporary practice. With the introduction of the dual certificate training pathway, we expect that resident clinics will be explored at more institutions. Patients served within the institutional clinic environment traditionally have limited financial resources, and reimbursement is expected to be minimal. Our reimbursement data serves as a realistic benchmark for programs that wish to develop similar clinics at other training institutions.