Journal article
How fair is Medicare? The income-related distribution of Medicare benefits with special focus on chronic care items
RJ Knott, A Cass, EL Heeley, JP Chalmers, DP Peiris, PM Clarke
Medical Journal of Australia | AUSTRALASIAN MED PUBL CO LTD | Published : 2012
DOI: 10.5694/mja12.10514
Abstract
Objective: To use patient-level data, clinical information and linked Medicare records to assess the distribution of benefits (rebates) across income groups, including benefits relating to chronic conditions such as the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme (CDDS). Design, setting and participants: Nationally representative, cluster-stratified survey (the Australian Hypertension and Absolute Risk Study) involving 322 general practitioners who each collected clinical data on 15–20 patients aged ≥55 years who presented between 1 April 2008 and 30 June 2008 and who consented to have their information linked with Medicare administrative records over 12 months. Main outcome measures: Distribution of tota..
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Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank the 532 general practitioner Investigators who participated in the study. Those who submitted data for 15 or more patients were eligible for 40 Category 1 points for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development Program. The study was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Servier Australia. Rachel Knott's PhD studies were partly funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Capacity Building Grant (571372). Alan Cass is a recipient of a Senior Research Fellowship from the NHMRC. Philip Clarke holds an NHMRC Career Development Award.The AusHEART study was conducted as a collaborative project between the George Institute for Global Health and Servier Australia. Emma Heeley and Philip Clarke have received travel grants from Servier. Alan Cass has received an honorarium for speaking at a national education meeting sponsored by Servier. John Chalmers has received research grants and lecture fees from Servier.