This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Chernew, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Chernew, M. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

HMO Use of Diagnostic Tests: A Review of the Evidence

University of Midcigan

This article reviews twenty-four studies that compare health maintenance organization (HMO) use ofdiagnostic testing services tofee-for-service(FFS) use. Diagnosticservices contribute to both the high level and the growth of health care costs. This review of a series of studies is important because any single study is commonly limited to a small set of diagnostic tests and generally provides analysis restricted to one, or afew, HMOs. Combining evidence from each of the studies yields thefollowing conclusions. Relative to FFS enrollees, HMO enrollees receive fewer inpatient diagnostic tests. Evidence concerning HMO utilization of outpatient testing relative to FFS plans, though mixed, tends to suggest that HMOs do not perform more ofthese services and may performfewer for patients with chronic illnesses. Quality of care does not appear to suffer in HMOs despite lower testing rates, suggesting HMOs reduce testing in situations in which the incremental value is small.

Medical Care Research and Review, Vol. 52, No. 2, 196-222 (1995)
DOI: 10.1177/107755879505200203


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. Shrank, S. L. Ettner, P. H. Slavin, and H. J. Kaplan Effect of Physician Reimbursement Methodology on the Rate and Cost of Cataract Surgery Arch Ophthalmol, December 1, 2005; 123(12): 1733 - 1738. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. C. Goodman and M. Stano Hmos and Health Externalities: A Local Public Good Perspective Public Finance Review, May 1, 2000; 28(3): 247 - 269. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F. J. Hellinger The Impact of Financial Incentives on Physician Behavior in Managed Care Plans: A Review of the Evidence Med Care Res Rev, September 1, 1996; 53(3): 294 - 314. [Abstract] [PDF]