Figure 3. Effect of Patient and Encounter Characteristics on Encounter Interval.

Circles indicate effect estimates from a multivariable model that included all variables displayed in the figure. Whiskers indicate 95% confidence intervals. “PCP” variable indicates that the encounter was with the patient’s primary care provider (as opposed to a covering physician). “Acute conditions” variable indicates the number of billing codes linked to the encounter that represented an acute complaint (most commonly acute pain or infection). “Commercial insurance” variable indicates that the patient’s health insurance was provided by a private company, as opposed to Medicare and/or Medicaid. “Rx Intensification” indicates whether anti-hypertensive treatment was intensified (a new medication started or the dose of an existing medication increased) during the encounter.

*For every 10 mm Hg

**for every 10 years