TY - JOUR
T1 - Need Factors Associated with the Intensity of Outpatient Therapy in the Medicare Population
AU - Sandstrom, Robert
AU - Schmaltz, Anastasia
N1 - Funding Information:
Anastasia Schmaltz was funded by the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Student Research Program.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.
Copyright:
Copyright 2015 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2015/7/3
Y1 - 2015/7/3
N2 - Aims: Concerns have been raised about unnecessary utilization of outpatient therapy in the U.S. Medicare program. The purpose of this study was to determine if demographic factors, functional limitations and medical conditions are associated with the number (intensity) of outpatient therapy visits. Methods: Data about number of outpatient Medicare visits, demographic information, functional limitations and medical conditions for 2009-2011 was downloaded from the MEPS-HC data files. Descriptive statistics of the dataset were calculated. The relationship between the intensity of therapy services and the variables was determined using a negative binomial regression analysis (p <.05). Results: Worse perceived health status, cognitive limitations, need for activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living help and physical function limitations are associated with greater therapy utilization. Conclusions: Greater intensity of outpatient therapy services is associated with need for assistance with physical, cognitive, and functional limitations in the Medicare population.
AB - Aims: Concerns have been raised about unnecessary utilization of outpatient therapy in the U.S. Medicare program. The purpose of this study was to determine if demographic factors, functional limitations and medical conditions are associated with the number (intensity) of outpatient therapy visits. Methods: Data about number of outpatient Medicare visits, demographic information, functional limitations and medical conditions for 2009-2011 was downloaded from the MEPS-HC data files. Descriptive statistics of the dataset were calculated. The relationship between the intensity of therapy services and the variables was determined using a negative binomial regression analysis (p <.05). Results: Worse perceived health status, cognitive limitations, need for activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living help and physical function limitations are associated with greater therapy utilization. Conclusions: Greater intensity of outpatient therapy services is associated with need for assistance with physical, cognitive, and functional limitations in the Medicare population.
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U2 - 10.3109/02703181.2015.1056572
DO - 10.3109/02703181.2015.1056572
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84940505970
VL - 33
SP - 233
EP - 249
JO - Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics
JF - Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics
SN - 0270-3181
IS - 3
ER -