Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107520

Rachel M. Everhart, MS¹, Elizabeth M. Whitley, PhD¹, and Richard A. Wright, MD, MPH². (1) Community Voices, Denver Health, 777 Bannock St. MC 1914, Denver, CO 80204, (303) 436-5393, rachel.everhart@dhha.org, (2) Community Health Services, Denver Health, 777 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204

Denver Health implemented a Men's Health Initiative in 2002 to increase access to healthcare for underserved men in Denver through outreach and case management, and influence public policy for men's health.

Between 2002 and 2004, 1,440 men enrolled in MHI, had 4,812 contacts with staff and completed 422 public insurance applications. Participants were 34 percent African American, 27 percent Hispanic, 34 percent Caucasian and 2 percent Native American. Fifty-one percent of participants were age 36 to 50 and 74 percent listed single marital status.

Evaluation included analysis of DH utilization by participants for equivalent time periods from 2002 to 2004. The top three diagnoses were related to alcohol and drug dependence or abuse. Excluding these diagnoses, the top five diagnoses were hypertension, general symptoms, oral diseases, diabetes, and respiratory.

Involvement in MHI has successfully fostered more appropriate access of the healthcare system. For participants, the percentage of annual visits to the Emergency Department and Detoxification Unit decreased from 27 percent to 21 percent and 23 percent to 11 percent, respectively. Furthermore, the percentage of annual visits to primary care increased from 15 percent in 2002 to 18 percent in 2004.

MHI case management has helped to remove financial barriers to care for participants and relieve the strain of providing unsponsored care on DH. The percentage of total outpatient charges billed to Colorado's Indigent Care Program increased from 34 percent to 49 percent, and the percentage billed as self-pay decreased from 37 percent in 2002 to 20 percent in 2004.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
• Evaluate the financial benefits and improved system utilization associated with men's case management, and
• Discuss men's case management as a means to decrease uncompensated care.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation