EXPAREL Cuts 365-Day Opioid Use by 24% and Saves $860 per Patient
In Medicare total hip arthroplasty patients, EXPAREL reduced 365-day opioid consumption by 614 MMEs (1962 vs 2576) and lowered 365-day medical costs by $860 ($8390 vs $9250). It also cut inpatient admissions by 185 (698 vs 883) and ED visits by 1073 (3309 vs 4382) over one year.
1. Study Design and Population
The retrospective study analyzed CMS data for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing outpatient total hip arthroplasty who received EXPAREL or standard non-liposome bupivacaine, tracking opioid use, healthcare utilization and costs for up to 12 months post-surgery.
2. Opioid Consumption Reductions
EXPAREL-treated patients had significantly lower opioid consumption at all time points: 333 vs 380 MMEs at 30 days, 637 vs 805 at 90 days, 1073 vs 1415 at 180 days and 1962 vs 2576 at 365 days.
3. Healthcare Utilization Impact
Patients receiving EXPAREL experienced fewer inpatient admissions (42 vs 79 at 30 days; 698 vs 883 at 365 days), reduced ED visits (1147 vs 1404 at 90 days; 3309 vs 4382 at 365 days) and lower outpatient admissions across most intervals.
4. Cost Savings Analysis
EXPAREL group and control had similar day-of-surgery costs, but EXPAREL achieved lower total medical costs at 30 days ($1233 vs $1627), 90 days ($2507 vs $3154), 180 days ($4422 vs $5333) and 365 days ($8390 vs $9250).