Validity of criteria used for detecting underuse of coronary revascularization

Article Abstract:

Patients who get needed heart procedures or surgery within one year of diagnostic testing appear to survive longer and have less chest pain. Researchers studied the medical records of 671 patients who required revascularization, either by coronary artery bypass graft or balloon angioplasty following coronary angiography, a diagnostic procedure used to detect the narrowing of blood vessels. The patients' average age was 60 years and 68% were male. Only 8.7% of patients receiving vascular grafts or balloon angioplasty died within one year compared to 15.8% in the group that did not get the necessary treatment. Of the 374 patients who responded to a telephone survey, 231 had revascularization within 30 days of catheterization and reported fewer episodes of chest pain.

Care and treatment, Usage, Coronary heart disease, Coronary artery bypass, Transluminal angioplasty, Balloon angioplasty

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Cost-lowering strategies used by Medicare beneficiaries who exceed drug benefit caps and have a gap in drug coverage

Article Abstract:

Strategies adopted by beneficiaries exceeding annual drug benefit caps are described to lower prescription costs, the type of medications involved, and their financial burden. It is suggested that Medicare beneficiaries often decreased use of essential medications and experienced difficulty paying for prescriptions during gaps in coverage.

Management dynamics, Management, Economic aspects, Medical care, Cost of, Health care costs, Company business management, Medicare

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Measuring Underuse of Necessary Care Among Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries Using Inpatient and Outpatient Claims

Article Abstract:

Many Americans are not receiving the medical care they need, according to a study of 15 common acute and chronic medical and surgical conditions among 345,253 Medicare patients. African-Americans and poor people were least likely to receive needed care.

Research, Discrimination in medical care, Medical care discrimination

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