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Improving elder care by integrating geriatric expertise into medicare: a proposal
1Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, Illinois 61107-1897, USA. nnusbaum@uic.edu
Drugs & Aging
|May 21, 2005
Summary
Medicare funds much older American care, but geriatricians are underused. New legislation presents an opportunity to improve medication management for complex patients, addressing issues like polypharmacy.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Health Policy
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Medicare is a primary funder of healthcare for older Americans.
- Geriatricians are currently underutilized in optimizing Medicare-funded care, especially for complex patients.
- Recent legislative changes expand Medicare's role in outpatient medication management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the underutilization of geriatricians within the Medicare program.
- To identify opportunities for geriatric consultation in improving Medicare-funded care.
- To address key geriatric prescribing issues exacerbated by legislative changes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Medicare funding and geriatrician utilization.
- Review of recent legislative changes impacting outpatient medications.
- Identification of common geriatric prescribing challenges.
Main Results:
- Geriatricians represent an underutilized resource for enhancing care quality in Medicare.
- Increased Medicare involvement in outpatient medications creates a significant opportunity.
- Geriatric consultation can address polypharmacy, undertreatment, and inappropriate prescriptions.
Conclusions:
- Integrating geriatric expertise can optimize Medicare spending and improve patient outcomes.
- Leveraging geriatricians is crucial for navigating complex medication regimens in older adults.
- Policy changes necessitate a greater role for geriatric specialists in medication management.