Medical Economics Survey-Methods Study: Design, Data Collection, and Analytical Plan

This paper describes the background, methodology, data collection, and analytical plan of a pilot investigation conducted under contract for the National Center for Health Statistics during 1975. The objective was to determine the cost effectiveness of a variety of strategies under consideration for national application to develop previously unavailable information on utilization of, and the costs and payments for, health care. Detailed data on health care utilization and expenditures were collected periodically from a panel of 691 Maryland households over a six-month interval. Issues to be tested through a random experimental design include whether periodicity (monthly vs bimonthly interviews) and type of contact (in-person vs telephone) are significant factors in the cost effectiveness of this type of survey. An extensive record check involving all providers and third-party payers identified in the household survey was carried out. Record information will be used to 1) provide a basis for measuring accuracy of household data, 2) fill gaps in household knowledge, and 3) determine whether a subset of the record sources can provide adequate information for correcting household data. The household survey resulted in an initial response rate of 77.5 per cent with a subsequent attrition rate over six months of 13.6 per cent. Signed permission to access record data was obtained for 84.9 per cent of the individuals completing the entire survey. The most intensive survey strategy, monthly, mostly in-person contact, resulted in the lowest participation. The analytical plan presents details of the approaches to be taken in making judgments on the relative accuracy and completeness of data obtained by the various survey strategies and the contribution made by availability of data from record sources.