Publications [#238710] of Frank A. Sloan

Journal Articles

1. Sloan, FA; Salm, M; Belsky, D, Effects of Major Eye Diseases on Medicare Costs, American Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 142 no. 16 (2006), pp. 976-982, Elsevier Masson, ISSN 0002-9394 [doi]
   (last updated on 2025/05/11)

   Abstract:
   Purpose: To estimate impacts of physician-diagnosed eye diseases (age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma) on Medicare payments in the periods 1991 to 1995 and 1996 to 2000. Design: A retrospective cohort study to estimate program payments per capita and in total for each of the major eye diseases and the four eye diseases in total. Methods: Data from the 1994 and 1999 National Long-Term Care Survey (NLTCS) and medical claims to Medicare from 1991 to 2000 were merged with the NLTCS. Medicare payments for eye-related procedures on persons with and without major eye diseases as reported on Medicare claims and self-reported data from NLTCS. Results: Overall, the burden of major eye diseases was to increase Medicare spending by $4.8 billion (1999 USD) in 1991 to 1995 and by $4.5 billion in 1996 to 2000. The most expensive eye disease was cataract, costing Medicare $3.8 billion in 1991 to 1995 and $3 billion in 1996 to 2000. Conclusions: Prevalence of major eye diseases increased over time, but the effect of major eye diseases on Medicare payments decreased, mainly as a result of lower payments for cataract surgery in the later years. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.