Technology and outpatient review: a preliminary evaluation

Most health care utilization and cost control programs focus on inpatient care or on high-cost, catastrophic illnesses or injuries. Recently, however, Parkside Health Management Corporation has developed a utilization review program that targets treatments and high-technology procedures performed primarily in an outpatient setting, as well as specific inpatient procedures not included in other review programs. These include chiropractic, podiatric, and physical therapy treatments; cesarean section; and endoscopy, ultrasound in pregnancy, and lithotripsy. The treatments/procedures examined in this program, called Technology and Outpatient Review (TOR), account for approximately 6% of claims expenses. Bigel Institute for Health Policy researchers are evaluating a pilot test to determine TOR's effect on health care costs and utilization, appropriateness, and patient satisfaction.