Relationship between tobacco control policies and the delivery of smoking cessation services in nonprofit HMOs.

Background: This project examined tobacco policies and delivery of cessation services in nonprofit HMOs that collectively provide comprehensive medical care to more than 8 million members.

Methods: Three annual surveys with health plan managers showed that all of these health plans had written tobacco control guidelines that became more comprehensive over the span of this study. We also surveyed a random sample of 4207 current smokers who had attended a primary care visit in the past year (399-528 at each of nine health plans).

Does methodology affect the ability to monitor tobacco control activities? implications for HEDIS and other performance measures.

Background: It is unclear whether methodological differences in sample size, survey methods, and analysis approach significantly affect the ability to accurately monitor tobacco control activities and to make rate comparisons.

Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 64,764 members of nine health plans in diverse settings soon after their visit to a primary care clinician. Of these 41,677 completed responses were received.