The cost-effectiveness of Indian Health Service Optometry.
BACKGROUND
In this time of federal government cutbacks, federal agencies are looking at the cost effectiveness of their programs. This pilot study is a first attempt at quantifying the cost effectiveness of Indian Health Service (IHS) optometry.


METHODS
Using a super bill system and the Indian Health Service's own value figures per procedure, the cost of providing optometry services at one clinic was compared with the value of the care given in terms of dollars.


RESULTS
The Indian Health Service receives about $2.44 in care for each dollar spent on optometric services at the clinic studied.


CONCLUSIONS
If the results found are typical of all the IHS clinics, then the optometry program saves U.S. taxpayers more than $14 million per year. Further studies at multiple IHS sites should be performed to confirm these figures.
Jaworski
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Nova/Southeastern University, N. Miami Beach, FL 33162, USA.
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009907:Optometry / Q000191:economics*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States; D016549:United States Indian Health Service / Q000191:economics*