Health Insurance Daily

U.S. Shows Improvements In Some Health Services

Many Americans witnessed the quality of their health care improve in recent years, reports the National Committee for Quality Assurance, a Washington DC-based health care advocacy group. “People enrolled in health plans that measure and publicly report performance data were more likely to receive preventive care and have their chronic conditions managed in accordance with clinical guidelines based upon medical evidence,” NCQA's recent report states.

For example, diabetics are more than twice as likely to have their cholesterol controlled to recommended levels today than in 1998. Nearly 77.7% of children enrolled in private health plans received all recommended immunizations in 2005, a 5.2% jump from 2004. More than 96% of patients who suffered a heart attack were prescribed beta-blockers to help prevent a second heart attack last year, up from 62% in 1996.

However, quality gaps remain. For instance, the quality of care for people with mental illness has not improved. NCQA estimates that if the entire health care system performed at the level of the top plans, between 37,600 and 81,000 lives would be saved each year. These quality gaps also lead to over $10 billion in lost productivity and almost 65 million avoidable sick days.

NCQA President Margaret O’Kane says, “The past decade has demonstrated the benefits of measurement, reporting and accountability [on quality measures], but three out of four people don’t enjoy those benefits today. It’s time to ask, 'Why not?'”

Article provided by BenefitNews, October 3, 2006

posted by Mike @ 7:50 AM