Healthcare utilization and costs of Veterans screened and assessed for traumatic brain injury Journal Article

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Authors: Stroupe, K. T.; Smith, B. M.; Hogan, T. P.; St Andre, J. R.
Article Title: Healthcare utilization and costs of Veterans screened and assessed for traumatic brain injury
Abstract: Approximately 15% of casualties in the Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF]) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF]) conflicts received mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). To identify Veterans who may benefit from treatment, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented a national clinical reminder in 2007 to screen for TBI. Veterans who screen positive are referred for a comprehensive TBI evaluation. We conducted a national retrospective study of OIF/OEF Veterans receiving care at VA facilities between 2007 and 2008. We examined the association of the TBI screen with healthcare costs over a 12 mo period following the initial evaluation. Of the Veterans, 164,438 met inclusion criteria: 31,627 screened positive, 118,545 screened negative, and 14,266 received no TBI screening. Total healthcare costs of Veterans who screened positive, screened negative, or had no TBI screening were $9,610, $5,184, and $3,399, respectively (p 0.001). Understanding these healthcare utilization and cost patterns will assist policymakers to address the ongoing and future healthcare needs of these returning Veterans.
Journal Title: Journal of Rehabilitation Research Development
Volume: 50
Issue: 8
ISSN: 1938-1352
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2013
Start Page: 1047
End Page: 1068
Language: eng
DOI/URL:

10.1682/JRRD.2012.06.0107

10.1682/JRRD.2012.06.0107
Notes: JID: 8410047; OTO: NOTNLM; 2012/06/05 [received]; 2013/01/31 [revised]; ppublish