RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Cost-Effectiveness of Primary Care JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice JO J Am Board Fam Med FD American Board of Family Medicine SP 47 OP 54 DO 10.3122/jabfm.13.1.47 VO 13 IS 1 A1 Richard A. Deyo YR 2000 UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/13/1/47.abstract AB The resident describes a new patient in clinic today, a 40-year-old woman with a cholesterol reading of 240 mg/dL, but no other coronary risk factors. She asks whether it would be cost-effective to begin therapy with “statin” drugs to lower the patient's cholesterol. The attending physician, always skeptical of high technology and eager to promote preventive care, says “Sure it is. Some of the statin drugs now cost about $50 a month. Compare that with $50,000 for a coronary bypass later on if she isn't treated now.”