Medicare influenza vaccine demonstration - selected states, 1988-1992
Article Abstract:
Influenza is a major cause of death and illness among individuals over 65 years old, but only 30% of these individuals were vaccinated for influenza in 1989. The Health Care Finance Administration and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) started a four-year project in 1988 to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of providing the influenza vaccine to Medicare patients. The project was designed to increase availability of the influenza vaccine to Medicare patients, and to evaluate whether vaccination reduces the number of serious illnesses, deaths and use of health care services among these patients. At 10 different demonstration sites, project staff attempted to make the influenza vaccination a part of routine medical care in doctors' offices, and to increase patient awareness of the vaccine. At two of the demonstration sites during the 1990-91 influenza season, 60% of patients over 65 years old were vaccinated for influenza. The cost effectiveness of the influenza vaccine has not been analyzed yet.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
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The treatment of cancer in an aging population
Article Abstract:
Cancer is primarily a disease of the elderly, and the US population is aging. By the year 2010, 14% of all Americans will be 65 or older, and half of all cancer occurs in this group. Older individuals experience a decline in organ function that was thought to make them more susceptible to the side effects of chemotherapy. For this reason, they were often excluded from chemotherapy trials. But a recent study of women receiving chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer found that the women over 70 had the same response, disease progression and survival as the younger women. They suffered no more side effects than the younger women. Elderly cancer patients should not be excluded from treatment protocols simply because of their age. Elderly patients may develop blood cell deficiencies more often than younger patients after chemotherapy, but they can be given naturally-occurring substances that boost blood cell production.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
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The resource-based relative value scale
Article Abstract:
The resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) may be an ineffective method for calculating physician payment for Medicare patients. The RBRVS is a fee schedule that was introduced by the federal government in Jan 1992. It attempts to standardize payments for physicians in different medical specialities. It does not take into consideration that physicians in some specialities may work more hours per week than those in others. The RBRVS also fails to consider the different levels of training and skill needed in different medical specialities or in performing different types of treatment. The Physicians' Payment Review Commission (PPRC) disagreed with these criticisms of the RBRVS and with the method used in them to calculate work hours for physicians in different specialities. More information is needed on the number of hours worked per week by physicians in different specialities.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
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