Understanding the Composition of a Comprehensive Otolaryngologist's Practice Through Medicare Reimbursements.

Objective: With a rising number of otolaryngology (ORL) graduates completing a fellowship, the number of generalists (also known as comprehensive ORLs [c-ORLs]), arguably the group of ORLs most needed, is likely to decrease. However, the practice and reimbursement patterns of c-ORLs have yet to be examined.

Study Design: Cross-sectional retrospective analysis.

Trends in Medicare Utilization and Reimbursement of Tracheostomy From 2000 to 2022.

Objective: To analyze the utilization and reimbursement for tracheostomy.

Study Design: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Setting: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data (2013 and 2021) and Part B Medicare Fee-For-Service National Summary Data (2000-2022).

Assessment of conflicts of interest in literature on monoclonal antibodies for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis using the Open Payments Database.

Background: Accurate conflict of interest (COI) information is essential for promoting transparency and trust in research. We aim to assess COI disclosure patterns in monoclonal antibodies (MABs) research for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) using the Open Payments Database (OPD).

Methods: Studies on FDA-approved MABs for CRSwNP (dupilumab, omalizumab, mepolizumab) published between 2019 and 2021 with at least one US author were identified through PubMed.

How Variable are Patient Comorbidity Profiles Among Practicing Otolaryngologists?

Objective: To determine whether certain groups of otolaryngologists (ORLs) are treating cohorts of patients with more comorbidities.

Study Design: Cross-sectional population-based analysis.

Setting: 2019 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Dataset.

Medicare volume and reimbursement trends in lingual and hyoid procedures for obstructive sleep apnea.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze utilization and reimbursement trends in lingual and hyoid surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: Annual retrospective data on lingual and hyoid OSA surgeries was obtained from the 2000-2021 Medicare Part B National Summary Datafiles. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes utilized included 21,685 (hyoid myotomy and suspension [HMS]), 41,512 (tongue base suspension [TBS]), 41,530 (radiofrequency ablation of the tongue [RFT]) and 42,870 (lingual tonsillectomy [LT]).

Taste dysfunction after endoscopic endonasal resection of olfactory groove meningioma: Case series and review of the literature.

Purpose: The incidence of ageusia and dysgeusia after endoscopic endonasal (EEA) resection of olfactory groove meningioma (OGM) is not well established despite recognized impairment in olfactory function.

Methods: We retrospectively administered a validated taste and smell survey to patients undergoing EEA for resection of OGM at two institutions. Demographics and clinical characteristics were collected and survey responses were analyzed.

Medicaid Acceptance Varies by Physician Seniority and Specialty in California.

Given varied insurance acceptances and differing pay between insurances, our objective was to examine the number of California physicians enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal), stratified by specialty and graduation year. Medi-Cal and Medicare providers were extracted from publicly available databases (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and California Health and Human Services) and were subsequently merged into one dataset using National Provider Identifier. From there, we stratified physicians by specialty and graduation year.

Restarting Antithrombotic Therapies After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Antithrombotic therapies, comprised of both anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents, are routinely paused prior to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) to reduce the risk of perioperative hemorrhage. At present, no clear guidelines exist to guide otolaryngologists on when to resume these agents after ESS. Our goal was to systematically review the existing literature related to this topic.

ChatGPT for Automated Cross-Checking of Authors' Conflicts of Interest Against Industry Payments.

Objective: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services "OpenPayments" database tracks industry payments to US physicians to improve research conflicts of interest (COIs) transparency, but manual cross-checking of articles' authors against this database is labor-intensive. This study aims to assess the potential of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to automate COI data analysis in medical publications.

Study Design: An observational study analyzing the accuracy of ChatGPT in automating the cross-checking of COI disclosures in medical research articles against the OpenPayments database.

Trends in Medicare Reimbursements for Commonly Performed Laryngeal Procedures from 2000 to 2021.

Objective: Numerous studies among different specialties have suggested that inflation-adjusted Medicare reimbursements have steadily declined in the last few decades. The objective of this study is to investigate whether this is true within the field of laryngology.

Study Design: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Treatment, Management, and Otolaryngology Consultation for Epistaxis in the Emergency Room: An Institutional Experience.

Background: Epistaxis is a common reason for emergency department (ED) visits, accounting for approximately 1 of every 200 ED visits in the United States annually and up to one-third of all otolaryngology (ENT)-related ED encounters.

Objectives: To detail reasons for ENT consultation for epistaxis in the ED, understand how consultation impacts patient care, assess follow-up patterns after emergency care, and study patient care after transfer or referral into the ED.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 592 adult patients with epistaxis managed in a tertiary care ED setting between 2017 and 2018.

A Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Analysis of Reimbursement Trends in Laryngology from 2000 to 2021.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to characterize Medicare reimbursement trends for laryngology procedures over the last two decades.

Methods: This analysis used CMS' Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Look-Up Tool to determine the reimbursement rate of 48 common laryngology procedures, which were divided into four groups based on their practice setting and clinical use: office-based, airway, voice disorders, and dysphagia. The PFS reports the physician service reimbursement for "facilities" and global reimbursement for "non-facilities".

Incidence and Reimbursement Trends for Facial Fracture Repair in the Elderly: A Medicare Analysis.

Objectives: The aim was to describe incidence and reimbursement trends of surgical repair of facial fractures among the Medicare population.

Methods: The annual procedure data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service National Part B Data File from 2000 to 2019 were queried.

Results: The total number of surgically corrected facial fractures increased from 10,148 in 2000 to 19,631 in 2019 in a linear pattern (r = 0.

Portable MRI to assess optic chiasm decompression after endoscopic endonasal resection of sellar and suprasellar lesions.

Objective: Low-field portable MRI (pMRI) is a recent technological advancement with potential for broad applications. Compared with conventional MRI, pMRI is less resource-intensive with regard to operational costs and scan time. The application of pMRI in neurosurgical oncology has not been previously described.

3D printing for virtual surgical planning of nasoseptal flap skull-base reconstruction: A proof-of-concept study.

3D printing for virtual surgical planning of nasoseptal flap skull base reconstruction is a viable approach. Results indicate improved mucosal preservation but further research is needed to define impact on quality of life.

Adverse Events Associated With Bioabsorbable Nasal Implants: A MAUDE Database Analysis.

Bioabsorbable implants (eg, Latera) have recently been approved for addressing nasal valve collapse. The purpose of this study is to summarize adverse events and treatment sequelae associated with bioabsorbable nasal implants queried in the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database. Of the 26 device reports entered between March 2017 and April 2022, the most frequently reported complications included abscess (n = 13) and implant protrusion (n = 5).

Trends in clinical trials for olfactory dysfunction in the COVID-19 era.

Nearly half of all olfactory dysfunction (OD) clinical trials since 2010 are COVID-19-related. COVID-19-related OD trials are published significantly faster than COVID-19-unrelated trials. High-quality clinical trials and publications are crucial to discovering effective treatments.

Subdural empyema secondary to pansinusitis after coronavirus disease 2019 infection in an immunocompetent patient: illustrative case.

Background: Superimposed intracranial infection is an uncommon but clinically significant complication in patients with active coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly in those with predisposing immunocompromising conditions.

Observations: The authors describe a case of subdural empyema, secondary to extension from pansinusitis, in a 20-year-old otherwise healthy immunocompetent male who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19. Despite his critical condition at time of presentation, he made a full clinical recovery with aggressive multidisciplinary surgical management between neurosurgery and otolaryngology, despite negative cultures to guide directed antimicrobial therapy.

Dacryocystitis in a patient with Samter's triad.

Samter's triad, also known as aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, is characterized by nasal polyposis, bronchial asthma, and aspirin intolerance. Here, we present a case of a 36-year-old woman with a history of Samter's triad and recurrent dacryocystitis. After combined dacryocystorhinostomy and endoscopic sinus surgery, pathological specimens of the lacrimal sac showed respiratory fibrosis with chronic inflammation and eosinophilic infiltration.

Trends in Billing and Medicare Reimbursement for In-Office Cerumen Removal by Otolaryngologists and Other Providers.

Objectives: To analyze trends in billing patterns, Medicare reimbursement, and practice-setting for otolaryngologists (ORLs) and other provider types performing in-office cerumen removal.

Methods: This retrospective study included data on Medicare-billing providers from the Medicare Part B: Provider Utilization and Payment Datafiles (2012-2018). Number of providers performing in-office cerumen removal, total sums and medians for Medicare reimbursements and services, and services per patient were gathered along with geographic distributions.