Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to test the acceptability of preventive services under Medicare waivers to a community-dwelling population aged 65 and over and to examine the effect of such services on health. METHODS: Medicare beneficiaries and designated primary care providers were sampled, and beneficiaries were screened and surveyed. A total of 4195 individuals were then randomized into intervention or control groups. Those in the intervention group were offered free preventive visits (under waivers) to their physicians. A follow-up survey of the entire group was administered after completion of the intervention. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of the intervention group made a preventive clinical visit, and about half of them a counseling visit. For men, being married and having a solo practitioner were positively associated with accepting the intervention services, while for women, having had a mammogram, having a confidant, having a high school education, and having a female practitioner were so associated. The intervention group showed a greater health benefit than did the control group and had a significantly lower death rate: 8.3% vs 11.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Older individuals will respond to preventive programs, and such services will result in modest health gains.
German et al. (Wed,) studied this question.