The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) contracted with NORC at the University of Chicago to study the implementation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for clinical preventive services in four different health plans: a closed-panel health plan, open-panel health plan, hybrid health plan having both open- and closed-panel characteristics, and governmental health plan.  NORC developed and implemented a program evaluation of the USPSTF recommendations for clinical preventive services to assess delivery in the four plans.  Using existing data and key stakeholder interviews, NORC examined the adoption, integration, delivery, and dissemination of the USPSTF recommendations, and identified barriers to integration and integration best practices. 

NORC submitted a final report to AHRQ in February 2007.  The final report presents findings on a range of key issues, including the impact of health plan structure on the delivery of clinical preventive services recommendations, health plan staff familiarity with and perception of the USPSTF recommendations, and health plan processes for adopting and integrating the USPSTF recommendations.  NORC delivered a presentation on key findings to the AHRQ Prevention Team in February 2007 and to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force at its annual meeting in March 2007.

Using data collected from key informant interviews at the hybrid health plan, which serves a large rural population, the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis studied challenges faced by the plan in delivering the USPSTF recommendations to a rural population.  These findings were summarized in a NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis Research Brief. 

Related Links

Infante, A., Meit, M., Briggs, T., Oppenheimer, C. and Benz, J. 2007. "Evaluation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations for Clinical Preventive Services." Final Report to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. February.  (1MB)

Infante, A. and Meit, M. 2007. "Delivering the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Recommendations in a Rural Health Plan," NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, Research Brief, W Series, no. 8. February.  (130K)