Influence of shunt surgery on healthcare expenditures of elderly fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with hydrocephalus.

Object: The goal in this study was to determine the percentage of patients with hydrocephalus who were treated with shunt surgery and to assess Medicare expenditures for those with and without shunt surgery.

Methods: Retrospective cost analyses were performed using the Standard Analytic Files of paid claims for beneficiaries enrolled in both Parts A (Inpatient) and B (Outpatient) of the Medicare program for 1997 through 2001. The main outcome measures were 5-year total payments and 5-year payments for separate types of service; for example, acute hospital (inpatient and outpatient), skilled nursing facility, home health, and physician/supplier services.