Effect of usual source of care on depression among Medicare beneficiaries: an application of a simultaneous-equations model.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate whether having a usual source of care (USOC) resulted in lower depression prevalence among the elderly.

Data sources

The 2001-2003 Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey and 2002 Area Resource File.

Study design

Twenty thousand four hundred and fifty-five community-dwelling person-years were identified for respondents aged 65+, covered by both Medicare Parts A and B in Medicare fee-for-service for a full year. USOC was defined by the question "Is there a particular medical person or a clinic you usually go to when you are sick or for advice about your health?" Ambulatory care use (ACU) was defined by having at least one physician office visit and/or hospital outpatient visit using Medicare claims. Depression was identified by a two-item screen

SUBMITTER: Li C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3165178 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature