Lumbar/SIJ Fusion Cost Model

The interface shown below is based on a decision analytic model for comparing two strategies, one that considers the SIJ in the diagnostic workup and one that does not. For further details see published manuscript. All costs are modeled from Medicare rates and inflated by 30% to be consistent with private health insurer payments.

Assumptions		Difference in Costs
SI joint prevalence Probability of a positive SI joint block: SI joint fusion: Success rate for SI joint fusion: Cost of SI joint fusion: Lumbar fusion: Success rate for lumbar fusion: Cost of lumbar fusion: Consequences of unsuccessful lumbar fusion Cost of FBSS (failed back surgery syndrome) over 2 years:	⇒	Cost of consider strategy including the SIJB: Cost of proceeding directly to LF: Considering SIJ saves per patient over the first 2 years.