Treatment and outcomes for congestive heart failure by race/ethnicity in TRICARE.

Background: Equitable access to health insurance coverage may improve outcomes of care for chronic health conditions and mitigate racial/ethnic health disparities. This study examines racial/ethnic disparities in the treatment and outcomes of care for TRICARE beneficiaries with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods: Using a retrospective cohort analysis, we examined demographic characteristics, sources of care, and comorbid conditions for 2183 beneficiaries of the Military Health System's TRICARE program (representing 115,584 beneficiaries after adjusting for survey weights) with CHF.

Medicaid beneficiaries using mental health or substance abuse services in fee-for-service plans in 13 states, 2003.

Objective: This study identified Medicaid beneficiaries using mental health or substance abuse services in fee-for-service plans in 13 states in 2003 (N=1,380,190) and examined their use of medical services.

Methods: Administrative and fee-for-service claims data from Medicaid Analytic eXtract files were analyzed to identify mutually exclusive groups of beneficiaries who used either mental health or substance abuse services and to describe patterns of medical service use.

Results: Overall, 11.

Using medical records to supplement a claims-based comparative effectiveness analysis of antidepressants.

Purpose: Because health insurance claims lack clinical information, comparative effectiveness research studies that rely on these data may be challenging to interpret and may result in biased inference. We conducted an exploratory study to determine if medical information contained in patient charts could offer clinical details that would assist in interpreting the results of a claims-based comparative effectiveness study of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Methods: Retrospective review of 457 charts of patients initiating SSRI treatment.

Differences in prevalence, treatment, and outcomes of asthma among a diverse population of children with equal access to care: findings from a study in the military health system.

Objective: To assess racial and ethnic differences in asthma prevalence, treatment patterns, and outcomes among a diverse population of children with equal access to health care.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: The Military Health System.

Temporal trends in anti-diabetes drug use in TRICARE following safety warnings in 2007 about rosiglitazone.

Purpose: To describe utilization patterns for anti-diabetes medications among a cohort of diabetes patients in the Military Health System (MHS) before and after warnings about rosiglitazone issued in May 2007.

Methods: We used segmented regression analysis to compare changes in the level and trend of rosiglitazone utilization and use of other anti-diabetes therapies in the period prior to the drug warnings (between April 2006 and May 2007) and the period after the warnings were issued (between October 2007 and May 2008).

Results: The level and trend of rosiglitazone use changed after the highly publicized warnings.