Quality of ambulatory care after myocardial infarction among medicare patients by type of insurance and region

PURPOSE: To evaluate use of effective cardiac medications and rehabilitatio n after myocardial infarction in the ambulatory setting in health maintenan ce organizations (HMOs) and fee-for-service care, and by region. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We surveyed elderly Medicare patients during 1996 and 1997 in California (n = 516), Florida (n = 304), and the Northeast Ln = 22 0; Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania) approximately 18 months after myocardial infarction. We assessed use of cardiac medications and rehabili tation for HMO (n = 520) and fee-for-service (n = 520) patients matched by age, sex, month of infarct, and region. RESULTS: Across all regions, similar proportions of HMO and fee-for-service patients were using aspirin (72%, n = 374 vs. 74%, n = 387), beta-blockers (38%, n = 195 vs. 32%, n = 168), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (31%, n 159 vs. 29%, n 148), cholesterol-lowering agents (28%, n 146 vs. 30 %,n 157), and calcium channel blockers (31%, n 162vs. 31 %, n 159; all P >0 .07), except in California where more HMO patients received beta-blockers ( 36%, n = 93 vs. 26%, n = 66, P = 0.01). In adjusted analyses, use of these drugs did not differ significantly between HMO and fee-for-service patients . Substantial regional differences were evident in the use of beta-blockers (Northeast 46%, n = 102; Florida 34%, n = 102; California 31%, n = 159) an d cholesterol-lowering agents (California 35%, n = 182; Florida 24%, n = 73 ; Northeast 22%, n = 48; each P <0.001). Fee-for-service patients were more likely than HMO patients to receive cardiac rehabilitation in unadjusted ( 32%, n = 167, vs. 22%, n = 141, P = 0.001) and adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Both HMO and fee-for-service patients would likely benefit fro m greater use of beta-blockers and cholesterol-lowering agents. Professiona l fees for cardiac rehabilitation may promote increased use among fee-for-s ervice patients. Future studies should assess the quality of ambulatory car diac care in different types of HMOs and the reasons for geographic variati ons in cardiac drug use. AmJMed.2001;111: 24-32. (C) 2001 by Excerpta Medic a, Inc.