Does comprehensive care make a difference? Pediatric utilization in the Kaiser Health Plan of Oregon.

Abstract

These data are from the Health Services Research Center of the Kaiser Health Plan of Oregon and pertain only to the Oregon Kaiser Health Plan experience, but may serve as a basis for interesting and useful comparisons. The Kaiser Health Plan of Oregon has been in existence since 1942 and during this time has been concerned with the provision of comprehensive health care utilizing a prepaid insurance scheme. Information contained in this report is derived from the following data systems: (1) a random sample of 5% of the Health Plan population which was begun in October 1966. This 5% sample provides complete utilization data including presenting symptoms, primary and associated morbidity diagnoses, and contacts with the system, such as telephone calls and prescription refill requests. (2) A 100% sampling of the outpatient utilization experience of the medically indigent cared for under a contract with the Dept of Health, Education, and