The graph above shows utilization data for the first quarter (March 1- May 31) for years 2011 and 2012. Utilization, in this sense, means the total number of clients we served in each service category or how many PLWHA are using services. The numbers on the graph indicate how many individual PLWHA used each service (e.g. 1186 PLWHA used Primary Medical Care in 2011).
By looking at the graph, we can see that in Medical Case Management, Non-Medical Case Management and Drug Reimbursement, we are serving almost the same amount of clients as last year. The red bar indicates this year (2012) and the blue is last year (2011).
There is a bit of a shift in Primary Medical Care. There is a 33% (or one third) drop in Primary Medical Care which could be related to the Preexisting Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP). Clients may be accessing medical care under that coverage (Bayou Health). Clients may now be going to the doctor outside of the Ryan White Part A system and that is why the numbers have dropped. As the year progresses we will be able to look at the data and better understand how health care reform will impact our system of care.
Why look at utilization data?
Utilization data give us a snap shot of possible issues in the delivery of care and show us where we are in terms of serving the PLWHA in the area. If there are big changes from one year to another, say, a big drop in number of clients served, it may indicate that people are falling out of care. At the same point, big spikes in utilization may indicate that more people are coming into care (ex. a good outreach campaign that is bringing out of care individuals into care).
Utilization data help us to plan for the entire year. If one category is being utilized heavily early in the year, we make sure that there will be enough funds at the end of the year so that services are seamless for clients. At the same rate, if one category is not being used, we may move funds from that service category to a more needed area.
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