1098 Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Program Analysis and Financial Impact over 6 Months

Abstract Introduction Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is being increasingly utilized as an alternative treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in select patients who fail positive airway pressure therapy. There is substantial cost and effort in developing an HNS program. We report on a programmatic and financial analysis in a non-academic, community-based sleep center 2 years into its HNS program. Methods A retrospective review of all clinic visits was performed for a 6-month period from January 2022 through June 2022. Visits were reviewed as being referred for, or discussing HNS as a treatment option, for inclusion in the analysis. Included visits were categorized as new or follow up visit, and data was extracted including referring provider specialty, insurer, and if the visit resulted in ordering of a sleep study, referral to ENT, if the patient qualified for HNS, and billing for interrogation/programming of the stimulator. Financial impact was estimated by multiplying the average reimbursement rate for associated CPT codes by the number of CPT's generated. Results During this study period, our HNS program generated 215 patient visits, which accounted for 9% of total clinical volume. 81 were new evaluations and 134 were follow-ups. Of the new patients, 77 were referred for interest in HNS, most commonly from primary care or self-referred (33% each). Forty-four polysomnograms and 18 home sleep apnea tests were performed related to these visits. A total of 93 HNS programming/interrogation services were performed. The total revenue generated across all services was estimated at 83, 276. Conclusion This observational program analysis revealed that offering HNS services generated a significant number of clinic visits, sleep studies ordered, and device interrogation services, accounting for increased clinical and study revenue. Marketing appears to have generated a significant number of self-referrals. Future research could include further analysis over a longer period of time and at other sleep clinic settings in an effort to make the results more generalizable. Support (if any) None.