Ever since the introduction of Medicare Advantage plans and their predecessors, certain idealogues have tried to undermine and discredit the program. And while MA may cost more for a beneficiary than the fee-for-service program would spend, the beneficiary typically gets better benefits and according to most research, better quality and coordination of care. (HA Article) In a new study the authors looked at care between 2003 and 2009 for matched beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage and in the fee-for-service program. The primary measures were HEDIS data and CAHPS surveys of satisfaction. Even without accounting for spillover effects from Medicare Advantage to the fee-for-service population, MA plans shows a pretty wide gap in performance on several measures. Mammography rates were 13.5% higher; HbA1c testing for diabetic patients was 8.6% higher, eye exams for patients with diabetes were 17.1% greater, and cholesterol testing was 7% to 9% higher. Rates of flu and pneumonia vaccinations were similar. Ratings of physicians in the satisfaction surveys were basically the same, with a slight edge for MA for primary care physicians. Non-profit, larger and longer operating health plans showed the greatest gap in quality performance versus the fee-for-service program. The study used mostly process of care measures, not actual health outcomes, but it strongly suggests that fears that MA plans would be incented to skimp on care are unfounded and that it is the uncoordinated, unmanaged fee-for-service program that is delivering more sub-optimal care.
✅ Subscribe via Email
About this Blog
Healthy Skeptic Podcast
Research
MedPAC 2019 Report to Congress
June 18, 2019
Headlines
Tags
Access
ACO
Care Management
Chronic Disease
Comparative Effectiveness
Consumer Directed Health
Consumers
Devices
Disease Management
Drugs
EHRs
Elder Care
End-of-Life Care
FDA
Financings
Genomics
Government
Health Care Costs
Health Care Quality
Health Care Reform
Health Insurance
Health Insurance Exchange
HIT
HomeCare
Hospital
Hospital Readmissions
Legislation
M&A
Malpractice
Meaningful Use
Medicaid
Medical Care
Medicare
Medicare Advantage
Mobile
Pay For Performance
Pharmaceutical
Physicians
Providers
Regulation
Repealing Reform
Telehealth
Telemedicine
Wellness and Prevention
Workplace
Related Posts
Commentary
March 27, 2023
Why You Can’t Trust People Who Make Up Stuff About Vax Safety
A couple of studies offer a far better explanation for heart issues in athletes and…
Commentary
March 25, 2023
Coronamonomania Lives Forever, Part 201
Tired of March Madness? A boringly refreshing dip into some CV-19 research summaries is recommended.
Commentary
March 24, 2023
The CDC Is a Font of Methodological and Statistical Error
Several times in the last three years I and others have pointed out serious flaws…