This instrumental variables analysis estimates that Medicare would realize $362 million in annual savings if all patients with newly diagnosed low back pain were managed conservatively.
By enrolling selected high-risk elderly patients into the intervention, then empowering and educating them, this study successfully reduced hospital readmission rates.
Service quality (appointment lags and wait times) of primary care physician practices varies tremendously across the country and is associated with the organization of practices.
High-risk drug use increased slightly among seniors gaining Medicare Part D coverage; however, high-risk drugs account for a small share of total drug use.
Lipid levels can remain controlled with electronic laboratory reminder letters for most patients with coronary artery disease discharged from a cardiovascular disease management program.
Providing at-home hemoglobin A1c test kits increases testing rates and facilitates hemoglobin A1c reduction over time among members of a large commercial health plan with diabetes.
This study demonstrates a major influence of prehypertension and hypertension on healthcare costs in a large cohort of children, independent of body mass index.
The authors developed a model to identify participants in a home- and community-based services program who are at highest risk for long-term nursing home placement.
Perception of reimbursement was associated with electrocardiography but not with other common outpatient procedures. Future research should investigate how associations change with perceived reimbursement amount.
The 30-day readmission risk was reduced 25% by a collaborative program model employing discharge planning and telephonic follow-up for high-risk patients with CMS penalty diagnoses.
A higher proportion of veterans who use VA pharmacy services are black, have no alternative insurance, have lower incomes, are disabled, and report poorer health.
We studied contextual factors and found that locality, availability of primary care, and HMO membership influenced use of colorectal cancer screening in California.
Many older veterans do not receive appropriate nephrology care before beginning dialysis. Dual use of Veterans Affairs and Medicare-covered services was associated with better patterns of care.
Commonly used measures of performance for assessing patient access do not reflect PCMH-encouraged strategies to improve access that may be preferentially used by part-time physicians.
Acute sinusitis is a common acute illness and offers an opportunity to eliminate low-value care. The authors describe current practices, comparing primary care, urgent care, and the emergency department.