Question 1

What is MS-DRG 556?

Accepted Answer

MS-DRG 556 is a Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Group for "SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE WITHOUT MCC". DRGs are used by Medicare to classify hospital cases into groups for payment purposes. Each DRG has a payment weight based on the average resources used to treat patients in that group.

Question 2

How many hospitalizations were there for SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE WITHOUT MCC in 2023?

Accepted Answer

There were 7,830 Medicare hospitalizations classified under MS-DRG 556 in 2023. This represents a +14.6% change from 2022.

Question 3

What is the average cost for SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE WITHOUT MCC?

Accepted Answer

The average hospital charges for MS-DRG 556 were $37,838 in 2023. Note that charges represent what hospitals bill, which is typically higher than what Medicare actually pays.

Question 4

How have hospitalizations for this DRG changed over time?

Accepted Answer

Medicare hospitalization data for MS-DRG 556 is available from 2013 to 2023. The charts above show the historical trends in hospitalizations and average charges over this period.