The use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) therapy continues to be on the rise in the U.S. and worldwide. This is due in part to an aging population and increases in cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses. The most recent COVID-19 pandemic created a significant demand for ECMO across the globe. 

But that isn’t all: ECMO’s treatment indications have expanded over the years. Many more patient populations are now benefiting from this therapy, and it can be a revenue driver for hospitals. From a financial perspective, ECMO is one of the top five highest-paying DRG codes today, offering profitable returns and increased continuity of care. It’s time for health organizations to assess their opportunity with ECMO — and discover what it takes to run a successful program.

What’s Contributing to the Increased Use of ECMO?

For many years, ECMO has been seen as a salvage therapy for critically ill patients. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created a significant demand for ECMO across the globe, and evolving ECMO technologies are making it safer to perform, easier to transport to remote or rural areas, and more accessible in emergency situations. ECMO is becoming a promising long-term investment for hospitals and health organizations for many reasons, but primarily these three:

1. The Rise of Cardiac Disease. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one person dies of heart disease every 33 seconds. Over 900,000 cardiac surgeries  are performed across the nation every year, a trend which shows no signs of slowing. However, ECMO therapy may help reduce the mortality rate from heart disease. The Advisory Board reports that the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest could rise from 10% to 40% with the use of ECMO, saving 140,000 lives per year.

2. The Rise of Respiratory Diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic was a cautionary tale of how quickly viral respiratory diseases can spread and result in high casualties, and flu viruses continue to pose a serious concern. But viruses are only one part of the equation. Approximately 4.6% of adults live with COPD, the sixth leading cause of death in adults in 2022. Additionally, 190,000 people are diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) every year. But in a study of 429 patients with severe ARDS, Intensive Care Medicine reveals that “90-day mortality was significantly lowered by ECMO compared with conventional management.”

3. Expanding Use Cases for ECMO. The use of ECMO has evolved past its reputation as a “last resort” therapy and is now being utilized for everything from pneumonia to sudden cardiac arrest, pulmonary embolism, severe asthma, E-CPR, sepsis, and more. Moreover, ECMO can be used as a bridge to transplantation and organ donation.

The global ECMO market is currently valued at $504 million, and it’s estimated to reach a value of $793 million by 2033. Average reimbursements are well over $100K per patient and are reimbursable for up to 23 days. ECMO programs help hospitals avoid patient transfers to other hospitals, retaining revenue that otherwise would have been lost. However, building and maintaining an ECMO program is not a simple task. Support and experience can keep your program from leaking revenue and make it cost-efficient.

Avoiding Revenue Leaks in Your ECMO Program

SpecialtyCare conducted a case study of a mid-sized ECMO program that had a volume of 15-20 cases per year. Our team reviewed a total of 70 ECMO runs amassed over the previous four-year period. The hospital shared codes applied to each case, which we compared to our broader ECMO electronic medical record for each case. We discovered that inadequate documentation resulted in a loss of $74,000, or $1,000 per patient.

To retain ECMO revenue, we recommend the following:

1. Standardize Documentation Practices. Implement standardized documentation practices to ensure consistency and completeness.
2. Training and Education. Provide training and education to clinicians and physicians on the importance of accurate documentation.
3. Regular Audits and Feedback. Conduct regular audits of documentation and coding practices to identify areas for improvement.
4. Leverage Technology. Utilize technology to streamline documentation processes and reduce the risk of errors.

Working with an experienced ECMO partner is the most valuable component in your program’s success. Clinical research shows that experience in ECMO measurably affects mortality rates, so you should work with a seasoned ECMO partner that emphasizes high quality team training, education, and certification through ELSO.

Your Opportunity with ECMO

If you’re interested in finding out whether investing in ECMO is right for your hospital, you can assess your potential profitability with our ECMO revenue calculator. SpecialtyCare is the nation’s leading ECMO provider for a reason. Not only can we help you create your program, but we can help support its continued success with an unsurpassed level of expertise and service. We can place ECMO specialists at your hospital, provide training, and help you make your program valuable and cost-efficient. Contact us today to learn more!