A Survey of Charge Sensitivity and Charge Awareness Among Intensive Care Unit Providers in a Large Academic Medical Center

Little is known about charge sensitivity or charge awareness among intensive care unit (ICU) providers in the United States. In a survey of 295 ICU providers at a large, academic medical center, 92.5% of respondents agreed that controlling health care expenses is partly their responsibility. However, 87.4% of respondents reported that they did not know the charges for most of the tests and medications they prescribe. Among surveyed participants, the correct charge for a medical procedure or test was selected only 35% of the time. While ICU providers overwhelmingly agree that controlling expenses is their responsibility, charge awareness is low and likely limits their ability to make value-based decisions. Accepted for publication June 19, 2018. Funding: None. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal's website (https://ift.tt/KegmMq). Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Adam J. Kingeter, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 21st Ave S MAB 422, Nashville, TN 37232. Address e-mail to Adam.Kingeter@vanderbilt.edu. © 2018 International Anesthesia Research Society

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