Quality of Chronic Eye Care Under Managed Care Final rept. (July 1 1998-June 30 2003)

摘要

The purpose of this project was to study the impact of varying organizational and financing arrangements under managed care on the quality of eye care for working age patients with diabetic retinopathy or primary open-angle glaucoma, the two leading causes of blindness in the United States. The project was a collaborative effort between investigators at RAND and the Center for Health Care Policy and Evaluation (CHCPE), the research institute commissioned by United Health Group, a leading managed care organization that includes United Health Care (UHC). The project analyzed data collected from patients and eye care providers in six geographically dispersed health plans in an attempt to describe: (1) the managed care features adapted by eye care providers; (2) process of care for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy; (3) intermediate outcomes of care (e.g., control of intraocular pressure in glaucoma); (4) patient satisfaction; and (5) utilization of eye care services.