4145.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 1:00 PM

Abstract #15287

Primary Care Providers' perceptions of a Medicaid Primary Care Case Management Program: Longitudinal analysis of three surveys (1995-1999)

John F. Newman, PhD, Susan A. McLaren, MPH, William Johnson Miller, PhD, and Andrew T. Sumner, ScD. Institute of Health Administration, Georgia State University, University Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404/651-2998, jnewman@gsu.edu

Background: Provider satisfaction is an important consideration in assessing the impact of managed care on Medicaid programs. Surveys measuring PCP satisfaction were conducted biannually from 1995 through 1999, tracking the implementation of the primary care case management program from the program's introduction in 1994 to its statewide implementation in 1998. Over 2,200 surveys were included in the longitudinal analysis. Methods: The survey instrument, which has remained largely unchanged since its initial administration, is a 3-page mail survey containing 12 questions, most of which are scored on a Likert 4-point scale. PCPs score their satisfaction in such areas as quality of care, access to care, primary and preventive services, and continuity of care. Results: The longitudinal analysis of PCP satisfaction performed across the three surveys showed that overall PCP satisfaction has increased by over 20% since the programs inception five years prior. In addition, 20% more GBHC PCPs rated quality of care as excellent or good in 1999 as compared to the 1995 survey. Since 1995, PCP satisfaction has experienced a 26% increase in the areas of primary and preventive care. In 1999, 70% of the PCPs rated continuity of care as excellent or good. Conclusions: According to participating GBHC primary care providers, PCCM programs help increase access and quality of care for recipients by better meeting their primary and preventive care needs and promoting continuity of care.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, participants should be able to: 1. apply Georgia's methodology for measuring Primary Care Provider (PCP) satisfaction to other states' Medicaid populations; 2. review findings regarding the impact of Georgia's primary care case management (PCCM) program, Georgia Better Health Care (GBHC), on PCP satisfaction over a 5-year period by quality of care, access to care, primary and preventive services, and continuity of care; and 3. recognize Georgia's instrument for measuring PCP satisfaction

Keywords: Providers, Survey

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Medical Assistance
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: The Institute of Health Administration is currently performing and Independent Evaluation for the Division of Medical Assistance

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA