[Home health resource utilization measures using a case-mix adjustor model].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to measure home health resource utilization using a Case-Mix Adjustor Model developed in the U.S.


METHODS
The subjects of this study were 484 patients who had received home health care more than 4 visits during a 60-day episode at 31 home health care institutions. Data on the 484 patients had to be merged onto a 60-day payment segment. Based on the results, the researcher classified home health resource groups (HHRG).


RESULTS
The subjects were classified into 34 HHRGs in Korea. Home health resource utilization according to clinical severity was in order of Minimum (C0) < 'Low (C1) < 'Moderate (C2) < 'High (C3), according to dependency in daily activities was in order of Minimum (F0) < 'High (F3) < 'Medium (F2) < 'Low (F1) < 'Maximum (F4). Resource utilization by HHRGs was the highest 564,735 won in group C0F0S2 (clinical severity minimum, dependency in daily activity minimum, service utilization moderate), and the lowest 97,000 won in group C2F3S1, so the former was 5.82 times higher than the latter.


CONCLUSIONS
Resource utilization in home health care has become an issue of concern due to rising costs for home health care. The results suggest the need for more analytical attention on the utilization and expenditures for home care using a Case-Mix Adjustor Model.
You
Sun-Ju
SJ
Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Seoul, Korea. sunju@khidi.or.kr
Chang
Hyun-Sook
HS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020379:Risk Adjustment