The Maxwell School Center for Policy Research, Syracuse University

The Maxwell School Center for Policy Research, Syracuse University

Grant Status

Completed

Project Title

Spreading Best Practices to Reduce Geographic Variation and Health Care Costs in New York State

Award Amount

$278,881

Location

Syracuse, NY

Website

http://www-cpr.maxwell.syr.edu

Date Awarded

November 19, 2009

Large geographic variations in health care spending are well documented, most famously using Medicare data analyzed by the Dartmouth Atlas. Research shows that higher spending and more treatment do not translate into higher quality care, presenting an opportunity to reduce costs without impairing health outcomes. In this project, the Maxwell School will analyze Medicare spending across and within New York’s 10 geographic hospital referral regions.

The Maxwell School will use data from this analysis to generate regional roundtable discussions among physician leaders and hospital executives to: 1) uncover the reasons that lead to variation within the State’s regions; 2) identify those treatment styles and approaches used in the lower cost, higher quality regions; and 3) encourage physicians and hospitals—particularly those providing higher cost, lower quality care—to adopt those best practices.