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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
5043.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 8:45 AM

Abstract #107521

Stroke hospitalizations among Medicare Beneficiaries

William Buczko, PhD, ORDI/REG/DBR, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Blvd. C3-19-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-6593, Wbuczko@cms.hhs.gov

This study examines the incidence of hospitalizations for stroke among elderly Medicare beneficiaries. Stroke in the Medicare population is a leading cause of death and is also a cause of physiologic, functional and psychological impairment that often results in institutionalization and functional decline. Stroke incidence and mortality increases with age. African-Americans have a markedly greater incidence of stroke and greater subsequent mortality. MEDPAR inpatient hospital discharge data are examined for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries age 65 or over discharged during fiscal year 1999 with a principal diagnosis of ICD-9-CM code 436.0 (N=79,734). Incidence patterns and length of stay are examined by age, race and sex. Source of admission, post-acute care use, in-hospital and post-discharge mortality are also examined. The average elderly Medicare beneficiary hospitalized for stroke was 80 years old. Nearly 62% of these patients were female. Approximately 84% of the patients were white and 12% were black. Over 71% of admissions came from the emergency room. The average length of stay for these hospitalizations was 5.2 days. The average inpatient charge was $9,621, which is markedly less than the average charge for all Medicare inpatient discharges ($15,373). Elderly Medicare stroke patients frequently required additional formal care after discharge. While 30.3% of stroke patients were discharged to home, 57.7% were discharged to some form of post-acute care. Approximately 8% of patients hospitalized for stroke died during hospitalization and approximately 34% of hospitalized patients died within one year after discharge. In-hospital and post-discharge mortality were greater among older age groups.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Medicare, Strokes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Health Services Use and Adherence Behaviors among Older Adults

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA