Use of Medicare and Department of Veterans Affairs health care by veterans with dementia: a longitudinal analysis

The Role of Mental Health Conditions in Early Detection and Treatment of Veterans With Alzheimer's Dementia

INTRODUCTION

The benefits of early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have become increasingly recognized. Veterans with mental health conditions (MHCs) may be less likely to receive a specific AD diagnosis compared to veterans without MHCs. We investigated whether rates of MHCs differed between veterans diagnosed with unspecified dementia (UD) vs. AD to better understand the role MHCs might play in establishing a diagnosis of AD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective analysis (2015-2022) identified UD and AD with diagnostic code-based criteria. We determined the proportion of veterans with MHCs in UD vs. AD cohorts. Secondarily, we assessed the distribution of UD/AD diagnoses in veterans with and without MHCs.

RESULTS

We identified 145,309 veterans with UD and 33,996 with AD. The proportion of each MHC was consistently higher in UD vs. AD cohorts: 41.4% vs. 33.2% (depression), 26.9% vs. 20.3% (post-traumatic stress disorder), 23.4% vs. 18.2% (anxiety), 4.3% vs. 2.1% (bipolar disorder), and 3.9% vs. 1.5% (schizophrenia). The UD diagnostic code was used in 84% of veterans with MHCs vs. 78% without MHCs (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Mental health conditions were more likely in veterans with UD vs. AD diagnoses; comorbid MHC may contribute to delayed AD diagnosis.

The epidemiology of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease and related dementia in U.S. veterans

INTRODUCTION

US veterans have a unique dementia risk profile that may be evolving over time.

METHODS

Age-standardized incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD), AD and related dementias (ADRD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was estimated from electronic health records (EHR) data for all veterans aged 50 years and older receiving Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care from 2000 to 2019.

RESULTS

The annual prevalence and incidence of AD declined, as did ADRD incidence. ADRD prevalence increased from 1.07% in 2000 to 1.50% in 2019, primarily due to an increase in the prevalence of dementia not otherwise specified. The prevalence and incidence of MCI increased sharply, especially after 2010. The prevalence and incidence of AD, ADRD, and MCI were highest in the oldest veterans, in female veterans, and in African American and Hispanic veterans.

DISCUSSION

We observed 20-year trends of declining prevalence and incidence of AD, increasing prevalence of ADRD, and sharply increasing prevalence and incidence of MCI.

Antipsychotic initiation and new diagnoses excluded from quality-measure reporting among Veterans in community nursing homes contracted by the Veterans Health Administration in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether prevailing antipsychotic use rates in community nursing homes (CNH) influence new initiation of antipsychotics and diagnosis with antipsychotic indications among Veterans.

METHODS

We used linked 2013-2016 Veterans Administration (VA) data, Medicare claims, Nursing Home Compare, and Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. The exposure was the proportion (in quintiles) of all CNH residents prescribed antipsychotics in the quarter preceding a Veteran's admission date. Using adjusted logistic regression, we analyzed two outcomes measured using MDS: antipsychotic initiation, and new diagnosis of an antipsychotic quality-measure exclusionary condition (i.e., schizophrenia, Tourette's syndrome, or Huntington's disease).

RESULTS

Among 8201 Veterans without an indication for antipsychotics at baseline, 21.1% initiated antipsychotics and 3.5% were newly diagnosed with any exclusionary diagnosis after CNH admission. Schizophrenia accounted for almost all (96.8%) the new diagnoses. Antipsychotic initiation increased with higher CNH antipsychotic use rates: OR = 2.55, 95% CI: 2.08--3.12, quintile 5 versus 1. CNHs with the highest prevalent use of antipsychotics were associated with increased odds of Veterans acquiring an exclusionary diagnosis (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.32-3.32, quintile 5 vs. 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Incident antipsychotic use is common among Veterans admitted to CNHs. CNH antipsychotic prescribing practices are associated with Veterans being newly diagnosed with antipsychotic prescription indications, primarily schizophrenia.

Reasons Older Veterans Use the Veterans Health Administration and Non-VHA Care in an Urban Environment

BACKGROUND

Older veterans in urban settings rely less on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health care, suggesting deficits of access and services for aging veterans. We aimed to identify reasons for VHA and non-VHA use across the health status of older, urban-dwelling veterans.

METHODS

We examined open-ended responses from 177 veterans who were enrolled in primary care at the Bronx VA Medical Center, used non-VHA care in prior 2 years, and completed baseline interviews in a care coordination trial from March 2016 to August 2017. Using content analysis, we coded and categorized key terms and concepts into an established access framework. This framework included 5 categories: acceptability (relationship, second opinion), accessibility (distance, travel); affordability; availability (supply, specialty care); and accommodation (organization, wait-time). Self-reported health status was stratified by excellent/very good, good, and fair/poor.

RESULTS

We were able to categorize the responses of 166 veterans, who were older (≥75 years, 61%), minority race and ethnicity (77%), and low income (<$25,000/y, 51%). Veterans mentioned acceptability (42%) and accessibility (37%) the most, followed by affordability (33%), availability (25%), and accommodation (11%). With worse self-reported health status, accessibility intensified (excellent/very good, 24%; fair/poor, 46%; P = .031) particularly among minority veterans, while acceptability remained prominent (excellent/very good, 49%; fair/poor, 37%; P = .25). Other categories were mentioned less with no significant difference across health status.

CONCLUSIONS

Even in an urban environment, proximity was a leading issue with worse health. Addressing urban accessibility and coordination for older, sicker veterans may enhance care for a growing vulnerable VHA population.

Demographic, Health, and Exposure Risks Associated With Cognitive Loss, Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias in US Military Veterans

The US military veteran population receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is particularly susceptible to cognitive impairment and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias due to demographic, clinical, and economic factors. In this report we summarize the prevalence of dementia among US veterans and risks associated with AD and related dementias. We discuss the likelihood that these risks may be increasing in those about to enter the age in which dementias are common. We propose that VHA, the largest integrated health care system in the US, has shown promise in managing health risks that impact dementia prevention and propose further system wide approaches to be assessed for effective dementia prevention and care delivery.

Events Associated With Changes in Reliance on the Veterans Health Administration Among Medicare-eligible Veterans

OBJECTIVES

We can learn something about how Veterans value the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) versus community providers by observing Veterans' choices between VHA and Medicare providers after they turn 65. For a cohort of Veterans who were newly age-eligible for Medicare, we estimated the change in VHA reliance (VHA outpatient visits divided by total VHA and Medicare visits) associated with specific events: receiving a life-threatening diagnosis, having a Medicare-paid hospitalization, or moving further from the VHA.

RESEARCH DESIGN

A longitudinal cohort study of VHA and Medicare administrative data.

SUBJECTS

A total of 5932 VHA users who completed a health survey in 1999 and became age-eligible for Medicare from 1998 to 2000 were followed through 2016.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

More Veterans chose to rely on the VHA than Medicare (64% vs. 36.%). For a VHA-reliant Veteran, a Medicare-paid hospital stay was associated with a decrease of 7.8 percentage points (pps) (P<0.001) in VHA reliance in the subsequent 12 months, but by 36 months reliance increased to near prehospitalization levels (-1.5 pps; P=0.138). Moving further from the VHA, or receiving a diagnosis of cancer, heart failure, or renal failure had no significant association with subsequent VHA reliance; however, a diagnosis of dementia was associated with a decrease in VHA reliance (-8.6 pps; P=0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant majority of newly Medicare-eligible VHA users voted with their feet in favor of sustaining the VHA as a provider of comprehensive medical care for Veterans. These VHA-reliant Veterans maintained their reliance even after receiving a life-threatening diagnosis, and after experiencing Medicare-provided hospital care.

Perceptions of U.S. Veterans Affairs and community healthcare providers regarding cross-system care for heart failure

OBJECTIVES

This study explores perceptions of US Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA healthcare providers caring for Veterans with heart failure (HF) regarding Veteran knowledge and motivations for dual use, provider roles in recommending and coordinating dual use, systems barriers and facilitators, and suggestions for improving cross-system care.

METHODS

Twenty VA and 11 non-VA providers participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using parallel qualitative content and discourse analysis.

RESULTS

VA and non-VA providers described variable HF knowledge and self-management among Veterans, and both groups described the need for improved education addressing medication adherence, self-care, and management of acute symptoms. Both groups described highly limited roles for providers in shaping choices surrounding dual use. VA and non-VA providers had significantly different perceptions regarding the availability, quality, and effectiveness of VA HF services. Multiple non-VA providers expressed frustration with and difficulty in contacting VA providers, accessing records, and making referrals into the VA system. Suggestions for improved care focused on patient education and care coordination.

DISCUSSION

Dual healthcare system use for Veterans is increasingly common. Similarities and contrasts in perceptions of VA and non-VA providers are instructive and should be incorporated into future policy and program initiatives.

Fee-for-Service Medicare-Enrolled Elderly Veterans Are Increasingly Voting with Their Feet to Use More VA and Less Medicare, 2003-2014

OBJECTIVE

To examine the long-term reliance on outpatient care at the population (i.e., system) level among fee-for-service Medicare-enrolled elderly veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system and Medicare from 2003 to 2014.

DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING

We analyzed a 5 percent random sample, stratified by facility, age, gender, and race, of Medicare-enrolled veterans enrolled in a VA primary care panel using VA administrative data and Medicare claims.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a repeated cross-sectional analysis over 48 quarters. VA reliance was defined at the system level as the proportion of total visits (VA + Medicare) that occurred in VA. We examined four visit types and seven high-volume medical subspecialties. We applied direct standardization adjusting for age, gender, and race using the 2010 population distribution of Medicare-enrolled veterans.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Over the 12-year period, VA provided the vast majority of mental health care. Conversely, veterans received slightly more than half of their primary care and most of their specialty care, surgical care, and seven high-volume medical subspecialties through Medicare. However, reliance on VA outpatient care steadily increased over time for all categories of care.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the controversies about VA access to care, Medicare-enrolled veterans, who have a choice of using VA or Medicare providers, appear to increase their use of VA care prior to the Choice Act.

Characteristics of dual drug benefit use among veterans with dementia enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration and Medicare Part D

BACKGROUND

Obtaining prescription medications from multiple health systems may complicate coordination of care. Older Veterans who obtain medications concurrently through Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and Medicare Part D benefits (dual users) are at higher risk of unintended negative outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To explore characteristics predicting dual drug benefit use from both VA and Medicare Part D in a national sample of older Veterans with dementia.

METHODS

Administrative data were obtained from the VA and Medicare for a national sample of 110,828 Veterans with dementia ages 68 and older in 2010. Veterans were classified into three drug benefit user groups based on the source of all prescription medications they obtained in 2010: VA-only, Part D-only, and Dual Use. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine predictors of drug benefit user group. The source of prescriptions was described for each of the ten most frequently used drug classes and opioids.

RESULTS

Fifty-six percent of Veterans received all of their prescription medications from VA-only, 28% from Part D-only, and 16% from both VA and Part D. Veterans who were eligible for Medicaid or who had a priority group score conferring less generous drug benefits within the VA were more likely to be Part D-only or dual users. Nearly one fourth of Veterans taking opioids concurrently received opioid prescriptions from dual sources (24.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Medicaid eligibility and Veteran priority group status, which largely decrease copayments for drugs obtained outside versus within the VA, respectively, were the main factors predicting drug user benefit group. Policies to encourage single-system prescribing and enhance communication across health systems are crucial to preventing negative health outcomes related to care fragmentation.

Use of Veterans Affairs and Medicaid Services for Dually Enrolled Veterans

OBJECTIVES

To examine how dual coverage for nonelderly, low-income veterans by Veterans Affairs (VA) and Medicaid affects their demand for care.

DATA SOURCES

Veterans Affairs utilization data and Medicaid Analytic Extract Files.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective, longitudinal study of VA users prior to and following enrollment in Medicaid 2006-2010.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS

Veterans Affairs reliance, or proportion of care provided by VA, was estimated with beta-binomial models, adjusting for patient and state Medicaid program factors.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

In a cohort of 19,890 nonelderly veterans, VA utilization levels were similar before and after enrolling in Medicaid. VA outpatient reliance was 0.65, and VA inpatient reliance was 0.53 after Medicaid enrollment. Factors significantly associated with greater VA reliance included sociodemographic factors, having a service-connected disability, comorbidity, and higher state Medicaid reimbursement. Factors significantly associated with less VA reliance included months enrolled in Medicaid, managed care enrollment, Medicaid eligibility type, longer drive time to VA care, greater Medicaid eligibility generosity, and better Medicaid quality.

CONCLUSION

Veterans Affairs utilization following new Medicaid enrollment remained relatively unchanged, and the VA continued to provide the large majority of care for dually enrolled veterans. There was variation among patients as Medicaid eligibility and other program factors influenced their use of Medicaid services.

Impact of Dual Use of Department of Veterans Affairs and Medicare Part D Drug Benefits on Potentially Unsafe Opioid Use

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence and consequences of receiving prescription opioids from both the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Medicare Part D.

METHODS

Among US veterans enrolled in both VA and Part D filling 1 or more opioid prescriptions in 2012 (n = 539 473), we calculated 3 opioid safety measures using morphine milligram equivalents (MME): (1) proportion receiving greater than 100 MME for 1 or more days, (2) mean days receiving greater than 100 MME, and (3) proportion receiving greater than 120 MME for 90 consecutive days. We compared these measures by opioid source.

RESULTS

Overall, 135 643 (25.1%) veterans received opioids from VA only, 332 630 (61.7%) from Part D only, and 71 200 (13.2%) from both. The dual-use group was more likely than the VA-only group to receive greater than 100 MME for 1 or more days (34.3% vs 10.9%; adjusted risk ratio [ARR] = 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.9, 3.1), have more days with greater than 100 MME (42.5 vs 16.9 days; adjusted difference = 16.4 days; 95% CI = 15.7, 17.2), and to receive greater than 120 MME for 90 consecutive days (7.8% vs 3.1%; ARR = 2.2; 95% CI = 2.1, 2.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Among veterans dually enrolled in VA and Medicare Part D, dual use of opioids was associated with more than 2 to 3 times the risk of high-dose opioid exposure.

The Impact of Medication-Based Risk Adjustment on the Association Between Veteran Health Outcomes and Dual Health System Use

BACKGROUND

Veterans commonly receive care from both Veterans Health Administration (VA) and non-VA sources (i.e., dual use). A major challenge in comparing health outcomes between dual users and VA-predominant users is applying an accurate method of risk adjustment.

OBJECTIVE

To determine how different comorbidity indices affect the association between patterns of dual use and health outcomes.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 316,775 community-dwelling Veterans (≥65 years) with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in VA and fee-for-service Medicare from 2008 to 2010.

METHODS

We determined the associations between dual use and death or diabetes-related hospitalization in FY 2010 using multivariable models incorporating claims-based (Elixhauser) or medication-based (RxRisk-V) risk adjustment. Dual use was classified using four previously identified groups of health services users: 1) VA-predominant, 2) VA + Medicare visits and labs, 3) VA + Medicare test strips, and 4) VA + Medicare medications.

KEY RESULTS

Controlling for Elixhauser comorbidities, dual-use groups 2-4 had significantly decreased odds of death or hospitalization compared to VA-predominant users. Controlling for RxRisk-V comorbidities, groups 2-4 had increased odds of death compared to VA-predominant users, but variable odds of hospitalization, with group 2 having increased odds (OR 1.06, CI 1.04-1.09), while groups 3 (OR 0.96, CI 0.94-0.99) and 4 (OR 0.93, CI 0.89-0.97) had decreased odds.

CONCLUSIONS

The method of risk adjustment drastically influences the direction of effect in health outcomes among dual users of VA and Medicare. These findings underscore the need for standardized and reliable risk adjustment methods that are not susceptible to measurement differences across different health systems.

VHA Patient-Centered Medical Home Associated With Lower Rate of Hospitalizations and Specialty Care Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

OBJECTIVE

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) implemented a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model, termed Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT), in 2010. We assessed the association between PACT and the use of health services among U.S. veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

METHODS

VHA clinical and administrative data were obtained for the pre-PACT period of April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 and post-PACT period of June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012. Outcomes included hospitalizations, primary, specialty and mental health visits, and emergency department and urgent care visits. We utilized negative binomial regression and extended estimating equation models for the full sample. The analysis contained 696,379 unique veterans in both pre- and post-PACT periods. We estimated the linear incremental effect of PACT on utilization outcomes.

RESULTS

PACT were associated with a decrease in hospitalizations (incremental effect [IE]: -0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.03, -0.01), a decrease in specialty care visits (IE: -0.45; 95% CI: -0.07, -0.23), and an increase in primary care visits (IE: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.25).

CONCLUSIONS

The period following PACT implementation was associated with a lower rate of hospitalizations and specialty care visits, and a higher rate of primary care visits for veterans with PTSD, indicating enhanced access to primary care.

VA and Medicare Utilization Among Dually Enrolled Veterans with Type 2 Diabetes: A Latent Class Analysis

BACKGROUND

Many Veterans treated within the VA Healthcare System (VA) are also enrolled in fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare and receive treatment outside the VA. Prior research has not accounted for the multiple ways that Veterans receive services across healthcare systems.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to establish a typology of VA and Medicare utilization among dually enrolled Veterans with type 2 diabetes.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

316,775 community-dwelling Veterans age ≥ 65 years with type 2 diabetes who were dually enrolled in the VA and FFS Medicare in 2008-2009.

METHODS

Using latent class analysis, we identified classes of Veterans based upon their probability of using VA and Medicare diabetes care services, including patient visits, laboratory tests, glucose test strips, and medications. We compared the amount of healthcare use between classes and identified factors associated with class membership using multinomial regression.

KEY RESULTS

We identified four distinct latent classes: class 1 (53.9%) had high probabilities of VA use and low probabilities of Medicare use; classes 2 (17.2%), 3 (21.8%), and 4 (7.0%) had high probabilities of VA and Medicare use, but differed in their Medicare services used. For example, Veterans in class 3 received test strips exclusively through Medicare, while Veterans in class 4 were reliant on Medicare for medications. Living ≥ 40 miles from a VA predicted membership in classes 3 (OR 1.1, CI 1.06-1.15) and 4 (OR 1.11, CI 1.04-1.18), while Medicaid eligibility predicted membership in class 4 (OR 4.30, CI 4.10-4.51).

CONCLUSIONS

Veterans with diabetes can be grouped into four distinct classes of dual health system use, representing a novel way to characterize how patients use multiple services across healthcare systems. This classification has applications for identifying patients facing differential risk from care fragmentation.

Veterans’ Pharmacy and Health Care Utilization Following Implementation of the Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefit

We examined associations between enrollment in Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits and changes in medication acquisition from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pharmacies. We included all women and a random 10% sample of men who were VA enrollees, ≥65 years old as of January 1, 2004, and alive through December 2007. We used difference-in-differences models with propensity score weighting to examine changes in medication acquisition between 2005 (before Part D was implemented) and 2007 (after Part D implementation) for veterans who were or were not Part D enrolled. Of 231,716 veterans meeting inclusion criteria, 49,881 (21.5%) were enrolled. While 30-day medication supplies decreased from 26.2 to 23.4 for enrolled veterans, they increased from 36.6 to 37.4 for nonenrolled veterans (difference-in-differences: −4.0, p < .001). Reductions in 30-day supplies were greater among veterans who were required to pay VA copayments for some or all medications and who used VA and Medicare outpatient services.

Dual health care system use is associated with higher rates of hospitalization and hospital readmission among veterans with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) frequently causes hospital admission and readmission. Patients receiving care from multiple providers and facilities (dual users) may risk higher health care utilization and worse health outcomes.

METHODS

To determine rates of emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and hospital readmissions relative to dual use among HF patients, we analyzed a retrospective cohort of 13,977 veterans with HF hospitalized at the Veterans Affairs (VA) or non-VA facilities from 2007 to 2011; we analyzed rates of acute health care utilization using zero-inflated negative binomial regression.

RESULTS

Compared to VA-only users and dual users, individuals receiving all of their ED and hospital care outside the VA tended to be older, more likely to be non-Hispanic white and married, and less likely to have high levels of service connected disability. Compared to VA-only users, dual users had significantly higher rates of ED visits for HF as a primary diagnosis (adjusted rate ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.04-1.27), hospitalization for HF (adjusted rate ratio 1.4, 95% CI 1.26-1.56), hospital readmission after HF hospitalization (all cause) (1.46, 95% CI 1.30-1.65), and HF-specific hospital readmission after HF hospitalization (1.46, 95% CI 1.31-1.63). With the exception of hospitalization for any primary diagnosis, non-VA-only users had significantly lower rates of ED visits, hospitalization, and readmission compared to VA-only users.

CONCLUSIONS

Dual use is associated with higher rates of health care utilization among patients with HF. Interventions should be devised to encourage continuity of care where possible and to improve the effectiveness and safety of dual use in instances where it is necessary or desired.

Low-cost transitional care with nurse managers making mostly phone contact with patients cut rehospitalization at a VA hospital

The Coordinated-Transitional Care (C-TraC) Program was designed to improve care coordination and outcomes among veterans with high-risk conditions discharged to community settings from the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, in Madison, Wisconsin. Under the program, patients work with nurse case managers on care and health issues, including medication reconciliation, before and after hospital discharge, with all contacts made by phone once the patient is at home. Patients who received the C-TraC protocol experienced one-third fewer rehospitalizations than those in a baseline comparison group, producing an estimated savings of $1,225 per patient net of programmatic costs. This model requires a relatively small amount of resources to operate and may represent a viable alternative for hospitals seeking to offer improved transitional care as encouraged by the Affordable Care Act. In particular, the model may be attractive for providers in rural areas or other care settings challenged by wide geographic dispersion of patients or by constrained resources.

Service utilization of veterans dually eligible for VA and Medicare fee-for-service: 1999-2004

OBJECTIVE

To examine care system choices for Veterans dually-eligible for VA and Medicare FFS following changes in VA eligibility policy, which expanded availability of VA health care services.

DATA SOURCES

VA and Medicare FFS enrollment and outpatient utilization databases in 1999 and 2004.

STUDY DESIGN

Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine odds of VA-only and Medicare-only utilization, relative to dual utilization, in 1999 and 2004. Observational cohort comprising a 5% random sample of dually-eligible Veterans: 73,721 in 1999 and 125,042 in 2004.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

From 1999 to 2004, persons with the highest HCC risk scores had decreasing odds of exclusive VA reliance (OR=0.26 in 1999 and 0.17 in 2004, p<0.05), but had increasing odds of exclusive Medicare reliance (OR=0.43 in 1999 and 0.56 in 2004, p<0.05).Persons in high VA priority groups had decreasing odds of exclusive VA reliance, as well as decreasing odds of exclusive Medicare reliance, indicating increasing odds of dual use. Newly eligible Veterans with the highest HCC risk scores had higher odds of dual system use, while newly eligible Black Veterans had lower odds of dual system use.

CONCLUSIONS

Veterans newly eligible for VA healthcare services, particularly those with the highest risk scores, had higher odds of dual system use compared to earlier eligibles. Providers should ensure coordination of care for Veterans who may be receiving care from multiple sources. Provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may help to ensure care coordination for persons receiving care from multiple systems.

Reduced overall and event-free survival among colon cancer patients using dual system care

BACKGROUND

Many veterans have dual Veterans Administration (VA) and Medicare healthcare coverage. We compared 3-year overall and cancer event-free survival (EFS) among patients with nonmetastatic colon cancer who obtained substantial portions of their care in both systems and those whose care was obtained predominantly in the VA or in the Medicare fee-for-service system.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of patients older than 65 years with stages I to III colon cancer diagnosed from 1999 to 2001 in VA and non-VA facilities. Dual use of VA and non-VA colon cancer care was categorized as predominantly VA use, dual use, or predominantly non-VA use. Extended Cox regression models evaluated associations between survival and dual use.

RESULTS

VA and non-VA users (all stages) had reduced hazard of dying compared with dual users [e.g., for stage I, VA HR 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28-0.56; non-VA HR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.38-0.78). For EFS, stage I findings were similar (VA HR 0.47, 95% CI: 0.35-0.62; non-VA HR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.47-0.86). Stage II and III VA users, but not non-VA users, had improved EFS (stage II: VA HR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.56-0.97; non-VA HR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.69-1.22; stage III: VA HR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56-0.94; non-VA HR 0.81, 95% CI: 0.62-1.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Improved survival among VA and non-VA compared with dual users raises questions about coordination of care and unmet needs.

IMPACT

Additional study is needed to understand why these differences exist, why patients use both systems, and how systems may be improved to yield better outcomes in this population.

Underuse of diagnostic codes for specific dementias in the Veterans Affairs New England healthcare system

OBJECTIVES

To examine the specificity of dementia coding in large populations.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort and chart review study of dementia diagnosis.

SETTING

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) New England healthcare system.

PARTICIPANTS

Veterans aged 50 and older given outpatient visit codes for dementia between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2009.

MEASUREMENTS

The frequency of the code "dementia not otherwise specified (DNOS)" as a first and final diagnosis was determined. DNOS use was examined according to provider type and geographic location. The medical records of 100 individuals with unspecified dementia were reviewed to determine their underlying diagnoses and describe their examination.

RESULTS

Twenty-two thousand fifty veterans diagnosed with dementia were identified over 10 years of follow-up. One-third of all cases had no specific dementia code (n = 6,659). DNOS was the most commonly used code as a first dementia diagnosis (42.5%) and was second only to Alzheimer's type dementia (35.8%) as a final diagnosis. Individuals who saw geriatricians and neurologists were most likely to have a specific dementia diagnosis, and DNOS use was lowest in centers with the most dementia specialists. Only 12% of primary care physicians performed cognitive testing the first time they used the DNOS code, compared with 98% of specialists. Nearly half of individuals with a persistent diagnosis of DNOS met criteria for a specific dementia.

CONCLUSION

Substantial overuse was found of nonspecific dementia codes in the VA New England healthcare system, leading to an underestimation of the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. System-based changes in dementia coding and greater access to dementia specialists may help improve diagnostic specificity.

Recent trends in Veterans Affairs chronic condition spending

The change in prevalence and total Veterans Affairs (VA) spending were estimated for 16 chronic condition categories between 2000 and 2008. The drivers of changes in spending also were examined. Chronic conditions were identified through diagnoses in encounter records, and treatment costs per patient were estimated using VA cost data and regression models. The estimated differences in total VA spending between 2000 and 2008 and the contributions of population increase, differences in prevalence, and differences in treatment costs were evaluated. Most of the spending increases during the study period were driven by the increase in the VA patient population from 3.3 million in 2000 to 4.9 million in 2008. Spending on renal failure increased the most, by more than $1.5 billion, primarily because of higher prevalence. Higher treatment costs did not contribute much to higher spending; lower costs per patient for several conditions may have helped to slow spending for diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart conditions, renal failure, dementia, and stroke. Lowering treatment costs per patient for common conditions can help slow spending for chronic conditions, but most of the increase in spending in the study period was the result of more patients seeking care from VA providers and the higher prevalence of conditions among patients. As the VA patient population continues to age and to develop more co-morbidities, and as returning veterans seek care for service-related problems, higher spending on chronic conditions will become a more prominent issue for the VA health care system.