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Patients with mandibular trauma in the greater Seattle region are frequently transferred to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) despite trained providers in the surrounding communities. HMC receives poor reimbursement for these services, creating a disproportionate financial burden on the hospital. In this study we aim to identify the variables associated with increased cost of care, measure the relative financial impact of these variables, and quantify the revenue loss incurred from the treatment of isolated mandibular fractures.

A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients treated at HMC for isolated mandibular fractures from July 1999 through June 2010, using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology coding. Data collected included demographics, injury, hospital course, treatment, outcomes, and billing.