Predictive validity of the Pra instrument among older recipients of managed care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the validity of the Pra instrument in predicting the use of health-related services by older enrollees in a managed care plan.


METHODS
Cohort study. At baseline, a survey was administered by mail. Responses were entered into the Pra formula to estimate each person's probability of using health-related services heavily in the future. The subjects' use of services during the following year was monitored through claims submitted to their managed care organization.


METHODS
Urban and suburban areas of Southern California.


METHODS
Persons aged 65 years and older enrolled in a Medicare risk health plan (n = 6802).


METHODS
Baseline data included demographic, health-related, social, functional, and previous-use-of-service characteristics. Follow-up data included the use of and claims for payment for inpatient hospital care, emergency room services, nursing home services, home care, ambulance services, outpatient surgery, and durable medical equipment.


RESULTS
High-risk subjects (highest quartile of Pra values) incurred hospital admissions and claims that were 2.5 and 2.7 times greater than those of low-risk subjects (lower three quartiles).


CONCLUSIONS
The Pra formula is recommended for screening older adults enrolled in managed care organizations (as well as for screening those in the fee-for-service environment). It identifies older people who may benefit from interventions designed to avert health crises and the need for expensive care.
Pacala
J T
JT
Department of Family Practice and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55414-3034, USA.
Boult
C
C
Reed
R L
RL
Aliberti
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000379:methods