An Assessment of Partnership Program Support Costs at Brooke Army Medical Center
Abstract
The costs of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) have dramatically increased in recent years, exceeding the annual growth rate of both national and military health care expenditures. Accordingly, CHAMPUS has become a primary target of Department of Defense (DoD) efforts to contain costs within the Military Health Services System. The Military-Civilian Health Services Partnership Program is one method Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Commanders have at their disposal to contain the rapid increase in CHAMPUS costs experienced since the 1980's. Based on the premise that military health care is more economic than its civilian counterpart, the program is designed to recapture CHAMPUS workload by augmenting the MTF staff with civilian providers paid by CHAMPUS at a discounted rate. There is considerable concern regarding the ability of the Partnership Program to realize its charge of cost effectiveness. Recent government studies indicate that the Partnership Program may increase government costs by encouraging greater utilization of services. This study used Medical Expense and Performance Reporting System (MEPRS) data to determine the costs of supporting selected Partnership Agreements implemented at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and compared those costs to CHAMPUS costs within the BAMC catchment area. The standard MEPRS expense assignment system was modified to create a cost allocation model which more accurately reflected the administrative and ancillary support expenses likely to be common to both the military and civilian outpatient treatment settings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA261631
Entities
People
- Melvin E. Leggett Jr.
Organizations
- Academy of Health Sciences