National 3M study finds differences in health care delivery system performance for Medicare beneficiaries in low socioeconomic areas

April 25, 2022

Medicare beneficiaries in low socioeconomic status (SES) areas have fewer physician and care management visits and are less likely to be admitted from the emergency department for low severity medical care or admitted to a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility following hospital discharge, as compared to Medicare beneficiaries in high SES areas, according to a recent research study from 3M HIS.

The report, “Socioeconomic Status and Health Care Delivery System Performance,” also found that beneficiaries in low SES areas have more per capita inpatient complications, admissions and emergency department visits, and readmission and post-discharge returns to the emergency department, as well as higher surgical mortality rates.

Read the full report here.