Determinants of Utilization and Cost of VHA Care by OEF/OIF Veterans Screened for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
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Authors
Amara, Jomana
Pogoda, Terri K.
Krengel, Maxine
Iverson, Katherine M.
Baker, Errol
Hendricks, Ann
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2014-09
Date
Publisher
Language
Abstract
Objective: To determine the demographic and service characteristics that differentially impact utilization
and cost of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraq Freedom
(OEF/OIF) Veterans screened or evaluated for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Setting: We examined Department of Defense
(DoD) and VHA administrative records of OEF/OIF Veterans who were screened or evaluated for TBI. Participants: Our
study population was OEF/OIF Veterans who separated from DoD in Fiscal Years 2003–2009 and who were screened or
evaluated in VHA for TBI between October 2008 and July 2009. Design: We describe the demographics and service
characteristics of separated Veterans and those who accessed the VHA. We report the cost of VHA utilization and estimate
a probit regression model to assess determinants of VHA utilization and costs by OEF/OIF Veterans screened and
evaluated for TBI by VHA. Results: Females and Veterans older than 37 years utilize VHA services more intensely.
Across all services, the Reserve Components utilize health services more than the Active Components placing more
demand on VHA for services. Conclusion: VHA utilization and costs is impacted by the demographic and service
characteristics of Veterans. The variation in Veteran groups incurring higher costs and utilization indicates different usage
patterns of VHA services by each group with implications for patient load as the DoD deploys higher numbers of females
and the Reserve Components.
Type
Article
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00559
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Office of Research and Development
Health Services R&D Service
Department of Veterans Affairs
Health Services R&D Service
Department of Veterans Affairs
Funding
Services Career Development Award (CDA 10-029)
Department of Veterans Affairs SDR 08-405.
Department of Veterans Affairs SDR 08-405.
Format
9 p.
Citation
Amara, Jomana, et al. "Determinants of utilization and cost of VHA care by OEF/OIF veterans screened for mild traumatic brain injury." Military medicine 179.9 (2014): 964-972.
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.