A nonparametric statistical method that improves physician cost of care analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To develop a compositing method that demonstrates improved performance compared with commonly used tests for statistical analysis of physician cost of care data.

Data source

Commercial preferred provider organization (PPO) claims data for internists from a large metropolitan area.

Study design

We created a nonparametric composite performance metric that maintains risk adjustment using the Wilcoxon rank-sum (WRS) test. We compared the resulting algorithm to the parametric observed-to-expected ratio, with and without a statistical test, for stability of physician cost ratings among different outlier trimming methods and across two partially overlapping time periods.

Principal findings

The WRS algorithm showed significantly greater within-physician stabi

SUBMITTER: Metfessel BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3523381 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature