What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine patterns of repeat diagnostic testing among Medicare beneficiaries and evaluate the association between population testing rates and repeat testing rates across metropolitan areas.

November 19, 2012Archives of Internal Medicine

Repeat Testing Among Medicare Beneficiaries

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Authors

HWH. Gilbert WelchBrigham and Women's Hospital KHKevin J. HayesPennsylvania State University CFCarol FrostMedical Oncology Hematology Consultants

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Implication

Longitudinal study reveals high rates of repeat diagnostic testing across Medicare beneficiaries, suggesting regional medical practice patterns strongly drive repeated healthcare utilization.

Key Points

To examine patterns of repeat diagnostic testing among Medicare beneficiaries and evaluate the association between population testing rates and repeat testing rates across metropolitan areas.
Analyzed longitudinal data from a 5% random sample of fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries (N=743,478) who survived for 3 years following an index test performed between 2004 and 2006.
Evaluated the 50 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) to determine the correlation between the proportion of the population tested and the proportion of tests repeated.
Within 3 years of an initial examination, 55% of echocardiograms, 49% of pulmonary function tests, 46% of chest CT scans, 44% of imaging stress tests, 41% of cystoscopies, and 35% of upper endoscopies were repeated.
Testing frequency varied widely by region; echocardiography utilization was lowest in Portland, Oregon (18% tested, 47% repeated in 3 years) and highest in Miami, Florida (48% tested, 66% repeated in 3 years).
Significant positive correlations existed across MSAs between testing rates and repeat rates for echocardiography (Spearman r = 0.87, P < .001), chest CT (r = 0.66, P < .001), imaging stress tests (r = 0.65, P < .001), pulmonary function tests (r = 0.62, P < .001), and upper endoscopy (r = 0.59, P < .001).

Cite This Study

Welch et al. (2012) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a86f18f36c36f97809ec666 https://doi.org/10.1001/2013.jamainternmed.727

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Implication

Longitudinal study reveals high rates of repeat diagnostic testing across Medicare beneficiaries, suggesting regional medical practice patterns strongly drive repeated healthcare utilization.

Repeat Testing Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Repeat Testing Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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