This 4-year study has 3 specific aims: (1) Examine patterns of longitudinal use of eye care diagnostic and therapeutic services for Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with major eye diseases;(2) Analyze effects of the appropriate use of eye care services on vision outcomes and disease progression;and (3) Assess utilization, conformance with guidelines, and outcomes in addition to retinopathy for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes mellitus (DM).
Aim 1 investigates why some beneficiaries are persistent non-users of Medicare covered eye care services, effects of implementation of Medicare Part D on use of prescription drugs for glaucoma, and diffusion of new therapies for treatment of age-related macular degeneration.
Aim 2 assesses effects of various eye care therapies on vision outcomes as well as complications of such therapies.
Aim 3 investigates outcomes of DM with a focus on effects of adherence to care recommendations on health and longevity of persons diagnosed with DM. The study uses various econometric approaches (propensity score matching, instrumental variables, and control functions) to analyze national, longitudinal data bases: Medicare 5% claims data merged with vital statistics information from 1991-2010 (anticipated);Health and Retirement Survey data on Medicare beneficiaries merged with Medicare claims for 1993-2010 (anticipated);and Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data also merged with administrative information from Medicare, 1991-2009 (anticipated).

Public Health Relevance

In our proposed research, we will provide important information about reasons individuals do not take advantage of products and services provided by Medicare, even though they stand to benefit from use, e.g., persons with chronic diseases of the eye. We will also document whether appropriate use of recommended care and therapeutic procedures leads to better health outcomes among persons with major eye diseases and persons diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Finally, we will examine why rates of end stage renal disease have increased significantly among persons diagnosed with diabetes in recent years.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
High Priority, Short Term Project Award (R56)
Project #
2R56AG017473-09
Application #
7871028
Study Section
Health Services Organization and Delivery Study Section (HSOD)
Program Officer
Haaga, John G
Project Start
1999-12-01
Project End
2010-08-31
Budget Start
2009-08-01
Budget End
2010-08-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$406,300
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Administration
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Stein, Joshua D; Grossman, Daniel S; Mundy, Kevin M et al. (2011) Severe adverse events after cataract surgery among medicare beneficiaries. Ophthalmology 118:1716-23
Day, Shelley; Grossman, Daniel S; Mruthyunjaya, Prithvi et al. (2010) One-year outcomes after retinal detachment surgery among medicare beneficiaries. Am J Ophthalmol 150:338-45
Sloan, Frank A; Feinglos, Mark N; Grossman, Daniel S (2010) Receipt of care and reduction of lower extremity amputations in a nationally representative sample of U.S. Elderly. Health Serv Res 45:1740-62
Sloan, Frank A; PadrĂ³n, Norma A; Platt, Alyssa C (2009) Preferences, beliefs, and self-management of diabetes. Health Serv Res 44:1068-87