Use of VA and Medicare services by dually eligible veterans with psychiatric problems.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine how service accessibility measured by geographic distance affects service sector choices for veterans who are dually eligible for veterans affairs (VA) and Medicare services and who are diagnosed with mental health and/or substance abuse (MH/SA) disorders.

Data sources

Primary VA data sources were the Patient Treatment (acute care), Extended Care (long-term care), and Outpatient Clinic files. VA cost data were obtained from (1) inpatient and outpatient cost files developed by the VA Health Economics and Resource Center and (2) outpatient VA Decision Support System files. Medicare data sources were the denominator, Medicare Provider Analysis Review (MEDPAR), Provider-of-Service, Outpatient Standard Analytic and Physician/Supplier Standard Analytic files.

SUBMITTER: Carey K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2517276 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature