Purpose: To examine disparities in diabetes hospitalizations and emergency room (ER) visits among Medicare beneficiaries in SC. Methods: The study analyzed 1999 SC Hospital Discharge and ER data and included patients aged 65 years and older with diabetes as the primary diagnosis. Patient's id was used to identify multiple utilizations of service. Denominators were number of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes in 1997-1999 Medicare data. Results: Among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older in SC, 24.5% were living with diabetes, and more blacks (35.1%) had diabetes than whites (21.4%). 2,039 patients were hospitalized and 2,006 visited ER for diabetes in 1999. Blacks (2.9% for men and 2.2% for women) had higher rates of hospitalization than their white counterparts (1.3% and 1.2%, respectively). Blacks (3.0% for men and 2.9% for women) also had higher rates of ER visits that whites (0.8% and 1.1%, respectively). In addition, Black men had the highest percentage multiple hospitalizations (14.6%) and ER visits (15.6%) in four race-sex groups. Data showed the same disparities at county level. Conclusions: Black Medicare beneficiaries had higher rates of diabetes hospitalizations and ER visits than whites in 1999. The data suggested that factors other than medical insurance may play important roles in prevention of severe diabetes complications that may lead to hospitalizations and ER visits among elderly blacks. Learning Objectives: The participants will be able to analyze hospital discharge and ER data and describe disparities in diabetes care among Medicare beneficiaries.
Learning Objectives: The participants will be able to analyze hospital discharge and ER data and describe disparities in diabetes care among Medicare beneficiaries.
Keywords: Diabetes, Utilization
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.