Improved diabetes care by primary care physicians: results of a group-randomized evaluation of the Medicare Health Care Quality Improvement Program (HCQIP).

Background/objectives: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) measurements in patients with diabetes mellitus contribute to glycemic control, and, therefore to lower diabetic complication rates. Determine if an intervention that includes claims-based feedback about patterns of HbA1C measurement results in more frequent monitoring of HbA1C in diabetic Medicare beneficiaries.

Subjects: Primary care physicians in a single Southern state treating Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes mellitus.