Comparing local and regional variation in health care spending.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Wide geographic variation in health care spending has generated both concern about inefficiency and policy debate about geographic-based payment reform. Evidence regarding variation has focused on hospital referral regions (HRRs), which incorporate numerous local hospital service areas (HSAs). If there is substantial variation across local areas within HRRs, then policies focusing on HRRs may be poorly targeted.

Methods

Using prescription drug and medical claims data from a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries from 2006 through 2009, we compared variation in health care spending and utilization among 306 HRRs and 3436 HSAs. We adjusted for beneficiary-level demographic characteristics, insurance status, and clinical characteristics.

Results

There was

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3490218 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature