Where Do Women Veterans Get Their Inpatient Care

Purpose In this study we explore women veterans’ use of Veterans Administration (VA) and private sector inpatient services. Methods Using a comprehensive dataset of VA and private hospital admissions, we identified 1,409 female patients who were enrolled in the VA system and had an inpatient admission between 1998 and 2000 in either the VA or the private sector. For Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs) with >20 admits in each sector, we compared care provided in the private sector with care provided in the VA with respect to patient characteristics and resource utilization. In addition, we determined payment sources for women who used the private sector for inpatient care. Findings Women who used the VA were younger (mean, 54 vs. 60 years; p p p p Conclusions In New York, female veterans admitted to VA hospitals differed from women admitted to private hospitals by patient characteristics, admission reason, and admission resource consumption. Many younger women who used the private sector were reliant on other government agencies (Medicaid or Medicare) or out-of-pocket payments for their inpatient care.