| The objective of this study was to compare the compliance and treatment outcomes of Medicaid and fee for service patients who were treated by the same orthodontist in the same clinic setting. Twenty three patients, enrolled in Medicaid who had completed treatment between 2000 and May 2009 were identified. For each provider a matching number of fee for service patients who met the same inclusion/exclusion criteria were randomly selected from the provider's patient pool. Initial and final models were scored using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index to assess initial and post-treatment orthodontic outcome. Compliance was measured by reviewing chart entries and recording dates for the following: missed, rescheduled, cancelled and emergency appointments and appointments where the patient presented with a broken appliance. The model analysis of PAR scores showed that there was no difference between Medicaid patients in post-treatment PAR, after adjusting for age, gender and pretreatment PAR. No statistically significant difference between the Medicaid and non-Medicaid groups on compliance. With respect to effectiveness of treatment and compliance, there does not appear to be substantial differences between patients enrolled in Medicaid and those patients that pay privately. |
