Changes in Medical Charges Following Intensive Multidisciplinary Intervention for Pediatric Gastrostomy Tube Dependence

Objective:Intensive multidisciplinary intervention (IMI) is the most evidence-based approach to treat pediatric feeding disorders. The goal of this exploratory study was to assess changes in health care charges for patients with gastrostomy tube dependence following participation in IMI compared to a waitlist control. Methods:Medical charges were assessed for 9 families who participated in IMI compared to 6 control families on a multi-year waitlist for IMI. The IMI and control groups were compared on raw charges submitted as well as individual year-over-year changes in medical charges. Results:The IMI group decreased health care charges by 71% on average in the year following IMI compared to the control group increasing charges by 22% over the same period. Conclusions:IMI also holds potential cost-savings in the year following treatment compared to children who do not receive treatment and adds to previous research focusing on long-term cost effectiveness of IMI.