Morristown, N.J.-based Avalon Health Economics CEO John Schneider led a study assessing the opt-out policy’s impact on access to care and related costs.
Here’s what they found.
1. For inpatient cost, the opt-out variable’s coefficient was consistently positive and statistically significant.
2. The opt-out rule did not increase or decrease access in states.
3. The outpatient access models yielded less consistent results. In some models there was a reduction of access, with others suggesting no associated change.
The researchers concluded that opt-out laws do not improve access to inpatient surgical care or reduce its costs. Concerning outpatient models, the opt-out policies were also not associated with improved access to care.
More articles on anesthesia:
Anesthesiologist Dr. Clifford Char completes 25th mission trip
Ultrasound-guided anesthesia more effective than IV opioids for pediatric supracondylar fractures
Making the case for anesthesia ICU leadership
