Medicare could save nearly $500 million per year by reducing use of low-value preventive care services
Findings
A UCLA-led study shows that physicians frequently order preventive medical services for adult Medicare beneficiaries that are considered unnecessary and of low value by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force -; at a cost of $478 million per year.
The researchers analyzed national survey data over a 10-year period, looking specifically at seven preventive services given a D rating by the task force, and discovered that these services were ordered more than 31 million times annually.
Background
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services, makes recommendations on the value of clinical preventive services. Services rated D are considered to have no likely health benefit to specific patients and may even be harmful to them. Overall, the utilization of a variety of services considered unnecessar
UCLA RESEARCH BRIEF
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Under the Affordable Care Act, the secretary of health and human services is authorized to prohibit payment for services given a “D” rating by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the researchers say. Enrique Rivero |
FINDINGS
A UCLA-led study shows that physicians frequently order preventive medical services for adult Medicare beneficiaries that are considered unnecessary and of “low value” by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force at a cost of $478 million per year.
The researchers analyzed national survey data over a 10-year period, looking specifically at seven preventive services given a “D” rating by the task force, and discovered that these services were ordered more than 31 million times annually.
FINDINGS
A UCLA-led study shows that physicians frequently order preventive medical services for adult Medicare beneficiaries that are considered unnecessary and of low value by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force at a cost of $478 million per year.
The researchers analyzed national survey data over a 10-year period, looking specifically at seven preventive services given a D rating by the task force, and discovered that these services were ordered more than 31 million times annually.
BACKGROUND
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services, makes recommendations on the value of clinical preventive services. Services rated D are considered to have no likely health benefit to specific patients and may even be harmful to them. Overall, the utilization of a variety of services considered unnecessary by the task force drives up health care spending by billions of dollars each year.
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Opioid prescriptions rates for gastrointestinal conditions continue to increase, with renewals of existing prescriptions being the main driver, according to a study in the
Senior Service Fellowship in the Division of Health Care Statistics
Position and organization
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Health Care Statistics (DHCS), Ambulatory and Hospital Care Statistics Branch (AHCSB), located in Hyattsville, Maryland, is seeking a full-time Senior Service Fellow. As the nation’s principal health statistics agency, NCHS’ mission is to provide statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the health of the American people.
AHCSB conducts nationally representative surveys of hospital inpatient, emergency, and outpatient departments; ambulatory surgery centers; and office-based physicians. Visit the DHCS website for more information.