D A Bazos1, E S Fisher. 1. Center for the Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA.
Abstract
CONTEXT: The Medicare program has promoted capitation as a way to contain costs. About 15% of Medicare beneficiaries nationwide are currently under capitation, but tremendous regional variation exists. PRACTICE PATTERN EXAMINED: The proportion of Medicare beneficiaries who have enrolled in risk-contract plans in individual states and in the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. DATA SOURCE: Health Care Financing Administration data files. RESULTS: Medicare beneficiaries are most likely to be under capitation in Arizona (38%) and California (37%). Eight other states have capitation rates greater than 20%: Colorado, Florida, Rhode Island, Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Nevada. Thirty states, largely in the Great Plains area and the southern United States, have capitation rates less than 10%. Four major metropolitan areas have market penetration rates greater than 40%: San Bernardino, California; San Diego, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and Miami, Florida. Little penetration exists outside of metropolitan areas. CONCLUSION: Capitation in Medicare is a regional and predominantly an urban phenomenon.
CONTEXT: The Medicare program has promoted capitation as a way to contain costs. About 15% of Medicare beneficiaries nationwide are currently under capitation, but tremendous regional variation exists. PRACTICE PATTERN EXAMINED: The proportion of Medicare beneficiaries who have enrolled in risk-contract plans in individual states and in the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. DATA SOURCE: Health Care Financing Administration data files. RESULTS: Medicare beneficiaries are most likely to be under capitation in Arizona (38%) and California (37%). Eight other states have capitation rates greater than 20%: Colorado, Florida, Rhode Island, Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Nevada. Thirty states, largely in the Great Plains area and the southern United States, have capitation rates less than 10%. Four major metropolitan areas have market penetration rates greater than 40%: San Bernardino, California; San Diego, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and Miami, Florida. Little penetration exists outside of metropolitan areas. CONCLUSION: Capitation in Medicare is a regional and predominantly an urban phenomenon.
Authors: David C Goodman; Stephen S Mick; David Bott; Therese Stukel; Chiang-hua Chang; Nancy Marth; Jim Poage; Henry J Carretta Journal: Health Serv Res Date: 2003-02 Impact factor: 3.402