Evaluating the association between expanded coverage of direct-to-consumer telemedicine and downstream utilization and quality of care for urinary tract infections and sinusitis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To compare direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine and in-person visits in rates of testing, follow-up health care use, and quality for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sinusitis.

Data source

The Minnesota All Payer Claims Data provided 2008-2015 administrative claims data.

Study design

Using a difference-in-differences approach, we compared episodes of care for UTIs and sinusitis among enrollees of health plans introducing coverage for DTC telemedicine relative to those without DTC telemedicine coverage. Primary outcomes included number of laboratory tests, antibiotics filled, office and outpatient visits, emergency department (ED) visits, and standardized spending, based on standardized prices of health services.

Data collection

The study sample in

SUBMITTER: Yu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10480089 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature