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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Stephen D. Hooper, MBA and Emily A. Zeman, BA. Health Economics Group, Inc., 1050 University Avenue, Suite A, Rochester, NY 14607, 585-241-9500, sdh_sdh1@yahoo.com
Because few dental plans cover individuals who are retired and over the age of 64, little information is available to aid in projecting oral health costs for the "elderly" population. This study examined expenditure and utilization patterns of individuals age 65 and older. Data were generated from a population who were covered by a dental plan in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Total eligible for the three years were 677, 739, and 797. In addition to annual analyses, we analyzed the expenditure and utilization patterns of 627 individuals who were eligible for the entire three-year period. Annual dental utilization (individuals who had at least one dental visit during the period) varied between 67% and 69%. Twenty-four percent of those eligible for the entire period did not have even one dental visit. Whereas utilization was higher among females than males, benefits for male and female patients were almost identical. The difference between females and males in aggregate costs is due not so much to expenditures but to the fraction of those eligible who became patients. Also examined were utilization and expenditure patterns for more than 2,200 individuals aged 50-64 who were covered by the same dental plan during the same period. A simple, predictive model was developed to enable cost projections to be made for the oldest cohort based on generally available data for this younger age group (the oldest cohort commonly covered by employer-sponsored dental benefit plans).
Learning Objectives: "At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
Keywords: Economic Analysis, Oral Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am an owner and the president of Health Economics Group, Inc. HEG is a third party administrator that manages dental benefit plans. Data from three of these plans are the basis of this study.