Variation in diabetes care among states: do patient characteristics matter?

Objective: To examine state variability in diabetes care for Medicare beneficiaries and the impact of certain beneficiary characteristics on those variations.

Research Design And Methods: Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, aged 18-75 years, were identified from 1997 to 1999 claims data. Claims data were used to construct rates for three quality of care measures (HbA(1c) tests, eye examinations, and lipid profiles).