Patterns of Onset of Serious Medical Illnesses: Implications for Physician Capitated Payments

In this study, the pattern of onset of major illness events (conditions associated with serious morbidity or mortality requiring acute intervention and/or chronic follow-up) is examined in each individual patient in a cohort followed over an extended period of time. Random as well as clustered patterns are discussed, as well as the possible effects of such patterns on physician payments in a capitated payment setting.