Objective: Health status and risk factors were identified and evaluated in a descriptive study for Medicare beneficiaries reporting one or more cardiac procedures (angioplasty; coronary artery bypass graft; and/or pacemaker).
Methods: The current analyses used data from the Medicare Beneficiary Health Status Registry Pilot Study. Data were obtained using a mail survey with telephone follow up of the nonrespondents. There were 1,922 respondents to the survey. Present analyses used a subsample of respondents (n=181) having had one or more cardiac procedures.
Results: Eighty percent (n=145) of the subsample reported having only one cardiac procedure. Of the respondents having had only one procedure, 41 percent (n=60) reported their health status was very good/good. Approximately, 3 percent reported having all 3 cardiac procedures. Among the respondents reporting more than one cardiac procedure, no one was a current smoker. Females (56 percent) were more likely than males to have had more than one procedure. Nonwhite (25 percent) respondents were less likely to get cardiac procedures compared to white respondents.
Conclusion: Findings suggest differences in the use of cardiac procedures among Medicare beneficiaries by gender and race/ethnicity. These differences may be attributed to overall health and health status, co-morbid conditions, risk factors, and/or access to care. Additional research needs to be conducted to address these issues related to utilization of cardiac procedures. Further intervention methods need to be designed to remove barriers for patients to attain the appropriate health care procedures necessary to maintain or improve their health.
Learning Objectives: Participants will learn about the racial and gender differences in the use of cardiac procedures such as angioplasty, cardiac bypass grafts, and pacemakers for older persons. In addition, they will learn about factors that could affect access to care and utilization of health care services for Medicare beneficiaries
Keywords: Heart Disease, Medicare
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.