DRG 560 Overview

DRG 560 covers inpatient admissions for aftercare related to musculoskeletal system and connective tissue conditions when a Complication or Comorbidity is present, typically involving follow-up care, wound management, rehabilitation needs, prosthetic or orthotic adjustments, or related procedures after a primary treatment or surgery. This Diagnosis-Related Group groups patients whose resource use is driven by ongoing care needs rather than initial operative management. It matters for Medicare payment because it defines average resource intensity and supports prospective payment rates for hospitals treating these post-procedural or chronic musculoskeletal care cases. Accurate clinical documentation of the Complication or Comorbidity is essential to ensure the admission is assigned to this Diagnosis-Related Group.

Across payers the observed mean payment range spans from $10K to $18K, with individual payer medians ranging roughly $10K to $20K; the widest spread between minimum and maximum observed values is Anthem (min $390 to max $39K). See the table and chart below for payer-level details and distribution. Payer labels in the charts use full names such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealth Group, Cigna, Aetna, and Anthem.

The CMS 2023 data represents national Medicare fee-for-service inpatient payments published under the CMS Provider Utilization and Payment Data program. The table below shows the average total payment ($12.4k), average submitted covered charges ($42.8k), average Medicare payment amount ($10.7k), and total discharges (4.7k).

• Studies evaluating rehabilitation intensity and modality after hospital admission for musculoskeletal aftercare with complications (CC), such as randomized or pragmatic trials comparing early intensive inpatient physical therapy versus standard therapy for patients with postoperative complications or complex connective tissue disorders. These trials focus on patients admitted for sequelae of prior musculoskeletal surgery, fractures with delayed healing, or flare/complication of connective tissue disease who have a CC that prolongs recovery; investigators measure functional recovery, readmission, and length of stay. Results are highly relevant to providers planning individualized inpatient care pathways and to payers assessing which rehabilitation approaches reduce costly prolonged stays and downstream utilization.
• Comparative effectiveness research on wound, infection, and pain management strategies in aftercare populations with comorbidities (for example, studies comparing antibiotic stewardship protocols, negative-pressure wound therapy versus standard dressings, or multimodal pain control algorithms). These observational cohorts or cluster-randomized designs enroll medically complex patients receiving aftercare for surgical sites or chronic musculoskeletal wounds with CCs (such as diabetes or immunosuppression) to determine which approaches lower complication rates and rehospitalization. Findings inform clinicians on best practices to prevent recurrent interventions and help payers identify interventions that safely reduce complications and total episode cost.
• Longitudinal outcomes and care-coordination trials assessing post-discharge management and readmission prevention for patients with musculoskeletal aftercare needs and CCs, including studies of transitional care models, tele-rehabilitation, or case-management interventions. These trials target patients at high risk for readmission due to comorbid conditions, mobility limitations, or social determinants impacting recovery, measuring 30- and 90-day readmissions, functional status, and total cost of care. Evidence from these studies guides hospitals and payers on effective discharge planning, resource allocation, and bundled-payment strategies to improve outcomes and limit avoidable utilization.