High-deductible health plans and low-value imaging in the emergency department.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine the effect of an employer-mandated switch to high-deductible health plans (HDHP) on emergency department (ED) low-value imaging.

Data sources

Claims data of a large national insurer between 2003 and 2014.

Study design

Difference-in-differences analysis with matched control groups.

Data collection/extraction methods

The primary outcome is low-value imaging during ED visits for syncope, headache, or low back pain. We included members aged 19-63 years whose employers offered only low-deductible (≤$500) plans for one (baseline) year and, in the next (follow-up) year, offered only HDHPs (≥$1000). Contemporaneous members whose employers offered only low-deductible plans for two consecutive years served as controls. The groups were matched by pers

SUBMITTER: Chou SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8313945 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature