A new study recently published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery shows that coexisting medical conditions could increase treatment costs as well as the length of hospitalization following a hip fracture.
With more than 250,000 hip fractures occurring in the United States every year, these conditions generally require hospitalization, surgery and, in some cases, even nursing home care and long-term rehab and disability care. The likelihood of more intensive care being required is greatly increased for hip fracture patients who also suffer from another condition, known as a comorbidity. The study found some of the most common comorbidities in hip fracture cases are anemias and uncomplicated diabetes.
“The purpose of our investigation was to gain a better understanding of the coexisting medical conditions that impact the cost of treating patients with hip fractures and how those conditions affect the overall cost and duration of hospitalization,” said Kevin Black, one of the authors of the study and an orthopedic surgeon.
Hip fractures and the medical fallout are an unfortunate fact of life for many senior citizens. Although healthcare coverage and Medicare can go a long way in paying for an individual's care, the financial well-being of that individual's loved ones is at stake if a quality life insurance policy isn't in place. Consumers interested in coverage should compare life insurance quotes online.