M. Beth Benedict, DrPH, JD, Office of Research, Development, and Information, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 867 DeFranceaux Harbour, Riviera Beach, MD 21122, 410-786-7724, bbenedict@cms.hhs.gov

The purpose of this study was to develop national statistics on the race/ethnicity variations in the utilization of health care services and expenditures for the common chronic condition of asthma, using the new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) database that allows for nationally representative patterns and statistics. The database includes all fee-for-service and primary care case management claims, and the pre-paid managed care encounter claims to the extent that they were reported to CMS in 1999; the first year that the 1996 federal reporting requirement was implemented. The study included total non-elderly adult beneficiaries of any asthma-related service from all states and DC during 1999. The findings showed variations in rates by race/ethnicity for inpatient and ambulatory care with significantly higher inpatient rates among middle-aged Black females. Odds ratios and probabilities showed higher Medicaid expenditures per stay for minorities, although their stays were shorter than for non-minorities. Minorities also had more comorbidities. These variations in rates suggest that the minority populations are probably less likely to be receiving the low-cost preventive and maintenance care recommended by the NIH National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) Guidelines. The study also offers insight for health care program administration with aims to insure equity in access to quality care for all populations, despite the current reductions in financial and professional workforce resources.

Learning Objectives: At the completion of this presentation, the learner (participant) will be able to

• Discuss a new national profile of minority and non-minority Medicaid-covered non-elderly adults who received care for asthma in 1999, using data from all states and the District of Columbia.
• Assess race/ethnicity national variations in utilization and expenditure rates for inpatient stays and ambulatory care for these Medicaid-covered non-elderly adults.
• Evaluate the impacts of the study findings on health care program requirements to provide equity in access to care for all populations, and in managing limited resources while still providing quality care within the NIH National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Medicaid

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is my employer. No financial interest. No other interest.
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.