Dually-enrolled patients choose providers with lower wait times: Budgetary implications for the VHA.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To estimate the effect of wait times on patients' choice of provider and simulate changes in choice of provider due to compliance with VA MISSION Act wait time targets.

Data sources

We use nationwide administrative data (2014-2017) on Veterans who are enrolled in Medicare and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Survey of VHA Enrollees, Area Health Resource Files, and other data provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Study design

We use an instrumental variables approach to identify the effect of VHA wait times on the proportion of total (Medicare and VHA) services that are paid for by the VHA ("reliance"). We exploit shocks to VHA provider supply to isolate supply-driven changes in wait times and estimate the effect on VHA relian

SUBMITTER: Yee CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9264475 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature