Heart failure patients with no insurance, Medicaid or Medicare receive lower quality of care and have worse outcomes compared to heart failure patients with private insurance or HMO coverage, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Researchers found that heart failure patients without insurance were less likely to receive evidence-based beta-blockers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation compared to patients with private insurance. The Medicaid group was also less likely to receive the beta-blockers or defibrillators, and Medicare patients were less likely to receive certain beta-blockers. All three groups had longer hospital stays than the private insurance group.
Oklahoma State University Medical Center Offers Mobile Cardiology Unit
Florida's Sacred Heart Health System to Form System-Based Cardiology Group
Researchers found that heart failure patients without insurance were less likely to receive evidence-based beta-blockers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation compared to patients with private insurance. The Medicaid group was also less likely to receive the beta-blockers or defibrillators, and Medicare patients were less likely to receive certain beta-blockers. All three groups had longer hospital stays than the private insurance group.
Related Articles on Hospital Cardiology:
Oregon's Salem Hospital, Five Medical Groups Create Heart & Vascular InstituteOklahoma State University Medical Center Offers Mobile Cardiology Unit
Florida's Sacred Heart Health System to Form System-Based Cardiology Group