Predictors of Price Transparency for Cataract Surgery and Laser Posterior Capsulotomy at Academic Hospitals in the United States

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of United States (US) academic hospitals that predict transparency of cash and commercial payer-negotiated prices for cataract surgery (CS) and laser posterior capsulotomy (LPC).

Methods: A systematic review of websites for hospitals affiliated with ophthalmology residency programs was conducted to determine price transparency. Hospital characteristics were extracted from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey and Turquoise Health. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, χ2 tests, and logistic regression analyses were used to compare hospitals based on price transparency for CS and LPC.

Results: There were no differences in price transparency for CS and LPC based on net income, urban-rural classification, region, hospital beds, or surgical operations. Having more full-time personnel was associated with cash price transparency. No differences were identified between hospitals based on payer-negotiated price transparency.

Conclusions: Academic hospitals for ophthalmology with more full-time personnel had greater cash price transparency for CS and LPC. However, price transparency did not vary for other characteristics.

Keywords: cataract surgery; cost; laser posterior capsulotomy; price transparency.