Impact of Medicare payment policy on home health resources utilization.
In this study, the association between Medicare regulations and the provision of public home health care is examined. Medicare clients were compared with non-Medicare groups of those 65 years of age or over and those under 65. Results suggested that both age- and payer-related factors contribute to utilization of services. Older patients showed greater need for chronic illness care relative to younger patients; however, Medicare patients used fewer resources and had poorer outcomes relative to older non-Medicare patients.
Blue Ridge Hospital, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22903.
A
A
Irvine
E K
EK
Phillips
P
P
Cloonan
J C
JC
Torner
M E
ME
Fisher
G A
GA
Chase
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000191:economics*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014768:Virginia