This study did test for group differences in utilization of the target services at baseline and found no differences. In addition, the groups were also equivalent on adjusted large claims expenses per enrollee. As in most studies of this type, there a number of scientific limitations that should be placed on generalizability of findings until additional studies on other populations are conducted. First, the study measured short term impacts over a 12 month period or exposure. Therefore, the results cannot be generalized beyond one year.
Ongoing evaluation is necessary to substantiate continuity of impact in subsequent years.
Third, the study was conducted within a pure indemnity insurance environment which employed a uniform deductible for the entire study period. Further research needs to be conducted to determine the impact of this type of program in managed care environments. The very same factors which contribute substantially to sound methodology and control, thereby helping to validate the results, serve also to limit wide applicability of those results. Nevertheless, the initial results of this study strongly suggest that the health care decision-support system that was evaluated in this study associated with reductions in use of medical services. Furthermore, these reductions were achieved within a very short period of time.