Technology and outpatient review: a preliminary evaluation.
Most health care utilization and cost control programs focus on inpatient care or on high-cost, catastrophic illnesses or injuries. Recently, however, Parkside Health Management Corporation has developed a utilization review program that targets treatments and high-technology procedures performed primarily in an outpatient setting, as well as specific inpatient procedures not included in other review programs. These include chiropractic, podiatric, and physical therapy treatments; cesarean section; and endoscopy, ultrasound in pregnancy, and lithotripsy. The treatments/procedures examined in this program, called Technology and Outpatient Review (TOR), account for approximately 6% of claims expenses. Bigel Institute for Health Policy researchers are evaluating a pilot test to determine TOR's effect on health care costs and utilization, appropriateness, and patient satisfaction.
Bergman
A
A
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA.
Henderson
M
M
Cline
J L
JL
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013675:Technology, High-Cost / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000191:economics*