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Activity Number: 358
Type: Contributed
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
Sponsor: Health Policy Statistics Section
Abstract #317595
Title: Spatial Patterns of Emergency Department Use for Low Severity Conditions Among Medicare Beneficiaries in 2012
Author(s): Colleen Kummet* and Michelle Roozeboom-Baker
Companies: General Dynamics Information Technology and General Dynamics Information Technology
Keywords: Medicare ; Emergency Department Use ; Spatial Analysis
Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to investigate emergency department (ED) visits for low severity conditions by Medicare beneficiaries using 100% claims of fee-for-service beneficiaries. Categorization of claim primary ICD-9 codes determined visit severity of 12.3 million ED visits using the adapted and validated Billings algorithm. Low severity visits were those with a 0 probability of emergency. 2012 national and HRR rates of low severity ED visits were calculated and a discrete Poisson spatial scan model with Gumbel approximation was used to test for HRR clusters of significantly high rates. Logistic regression was used to investigate HRR level SES and demographic predictors of spatial clusters. Nationally 6.6% of ED visits were low severity with HRR rates from 4.5-8.9%. 10 clusters (162 HRRs) had significantly high rates. Most likely clusters spanned northeastern states and VA, WV and NC. Mean beneficiary age, disability, and risk score were significant factors in cluster membership. Understanding factors driving use of EDs for low severity conditions by Medicare beneficiaries may inform initiatives to reduce cost and improve quality of ED care.


Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.

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