Vouchers to Increase Uptake of Already Free Eye Care

Summary

This study was intended to test if reframing an offer for a free follow-up eye examination could increase uptake within ongoing community-based screening program for low-income and minority populations in Baltimore City. This study evaluated the effect of offering participants a physical voucher they were told was redeemable for free follow-up, relative to simply telling participants that the follow-up appointment would be free of charge. The investigators assessed two forms of vouchers, one with estimated value information, and one without. The underlying hypothesis was that reframing these already free offers would increase uptake by increasing perceived offer value and increasing a sense of regret from not taking advantage of a "good deal."

Conditions

• Glaucoma
• Eye Diseases

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Voucher Without Value Information

Patients being referred for follow-up received standard materials, counseling, and reminders as in the 'no information' group and were provided with a physical voucher they were told is redeemable for free follow-up appointment at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The voucher included the patient's name, the screener's name, and an expiration date 90 days from the date of screening. These participants were told: "I am going to give you this voucher for a completely free appointment and a free pair of glasses if you need them. So, with this voucher, both the exam and the glasses will be completely free."

BEHAVIORAL

Voucher With Value Information

Patients being referred for follow-up received standard materials, counseling, and reminders as in the 'no information' group and were provided with a physical voucher they were told is redeemable for free follow-up appointment at Johns Hopkins Hospital, which would normally cost $250. The voucher included the patient's name, the screener's name, an expiration date 90 days from the date of screening, and a statement about the $250 voucher value. These participants were told: "I am going to give you this voucher for a completely free appointment and a free pair of glasses if you need them. These services normally cost about $250, but with this voucher, both the exam and the glasses will be completely free."

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  collaborator FED

• Johns Hopkins University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Seema Kacker, PhD · Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

• David S Friedman, MD PhD · Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-05-05

Primary Completion

2019-01-01

Completion

2019-01-01

Countries

• United States

Study Locations