Do HMOs and PPOs “Buy Right”?
Jose Escarce, Principal Investigator. This project is determining whether patients of HMOs and PPOs tend to use more efficient, higher quality and lower cost hospitals, respectively, than nonmanaged care patients. The study will control for important correlated factors such as distance of patients to the hospital. (Project Officer: Michael Hagan. Project dates: 9/30/95-9/29/97) Effects of Managed Care on Physicians’ Practices. Jack Hadley, Principal Investigator. This project examines physician involvement with managed care plans: Do they have formal contracts? Do they have formal “gatekeeper” responsibilities? What are the methods of payment, the extent of risk-taking, and the financial incentives? The project is examining changes in practice size and composition, in affiliation and ownership, and changes in operations (for example, satellite offices and extended hours). Other factors being studied include hours worked, number of patients seen, patient mix by insurance and socioeconom
